Meet Racheal Smith | Licensed Lash Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Racheal Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Racheal, let’s start by talking about what inspires you.
1 What was your thought process behind starting your own business?- To be completely honest there wasn’t a whole lot of thought into it. I have a regular full time job so I started this as a side gig to make extra money to put up. Never in a million years did I think I would be as busy as I have.

2 What’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?- I disagree with the advice “Go to college to make good money, support your family, and be successful in life” I went to college right out of high school in the medical field and I didn’t do anything with it. I was a kid and it wasn’t a passion.

3 Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?- I’m a huge believer in risks. Nothing comes without risk. Every decision, every movement, every thought has some risk to it. I’m the type of person I think fast, make quick decisions, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel most times if I push hard enough.

4 What habits do you feel helped you succeed?- I have one tract mind. If I have a thought come to my head that I want to do then I go all in and I’m for it! With this business it started off as a thought because my lash artist quit so I decided to get into it. Well not only get in it but I decided to go all the way and get licensed and make this a true business. My “go all in, don’t quit until its done” type habits

5 What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?- I feel like the important factor is afraid to fail. I strive to keep going and make this business the best it can be! Not only for my husband and children but for all the women out there who want to start something from the ground up! They can do it! I’m proof they can do it. I started my adult life a little tough but with the amazing support of my family and friends I know I can do it. So that is the biggest factor. Afraid to fail.

6 What’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?- The most important lesson I’ve learned is dedication. You have to be dedicated or it won’t work. I’ve had 2 businesses before and they failed. Lesson is clientele won’t come if you don’t advertise. You have to work for your success!

7 Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?- My balance has changed tremendously. With my amazing husband by my side I have been able to succeed! He has taken over most of the roles in the household so I can focus mostly on my business. So really the credit and balance all goes to him. He works full time then comes home and tends to the farm, household chores, dinner, kids sports, and everything else. He’s balancing so I can focus 100% on my business.

8 How did you come up with the idea for your business?- Well that’s a funny story, so a coworker-Amanda Garcia talked me into getting lashes. I got them and loved them! Several months later she decided to quit so Amanda and i were trying to figure out what we were going to do. Well we got to talking about learning and doing them for each other. And by the end of the day I had an interview set up with Glance Lash Academy to get enrolled and start working towards my state license. That falls back on risk taking, within a day, that was it.

9 Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?- It really chose me. I’m not fancy, into fashion, heck I own a farm! But the moment I started getting eyelashes done I loved them. Then that day I made the decision to go to school I was not going to fail. Never would I have thought I would be in this industry but I am happy and proud to say I am!

10 What are you inspired by?- I’m inspired by my grandparents… They were very successful in life. My Papa taught me business, my Grandma taught me customer service and compassion. They never thought I had a bad idea. They saw my last businesses fail and they passed away this year so i am pushing to be sure i make them proud and I want them to look down on me and say she did it. My business name comes from my Grandma. My first name is Racheal but my whole life my Grandma called me by my middle name “Le’Anne” she always thought it was so pretty. I think of them daily and want them to be proud.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I was raised here in a small town in Texas. My grandparents taught me the “southern” way of life. Grow a garden, raise your own meat, and be happy in life. It wasn’t until a few years ago my husband and I decided to get out of the city and move to the country. Now we manage our small farm, and have fresh eggs, cows, and goats. That’s what started my entrepreneurship. I would sell eggs here and there. Raise up goats and sell them. Same with cows. But I’ve always been around business with my grandparents. They dabbled in several things. Owning a barbeque restaurant, a radio station, building and selling houses, oil, and gas as well. They went from dirt poor to successful people. I want to be just like them. I want people to know that you can have 13 cents in your bank account and end up married with a family, have a great job, business owner, and tackle anything you want that comes your way!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Lunch in Glen Rose at 3B Beers, Brats, & Burgers. Their burger is the absolute best. It’s outdoor seating with live music sometimes. Very cute, quiet, outdoor lunch.

I’m pretty much a homebody with as much farm work as I have to do.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There’s a few people.

My Grandparents who have since passed but are still with me in spirit.

My husband and kids- Thank you for sacrificing, thank you for taking up roles that I’ve had to put back to make this work. You 3 are my rock and without my husband by my side 100% of the time, I wouldn’t be who I am today. They have sacrificed so much for me and I am indebted to them forever!

Amanda Garcia- Thank you for pushing me to get lashes and being my biggest fan. You girl are the reason I started this and you deserve a shoutout.

To all my family and friends- you support me all the way. I have an amazing family and friends that are always giving me a pat on the back and pushing me to go further.

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