Today we’d like to introduce you to Aleena Hoang.
Hi Aleena, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Thank you so much for having me on this wonderful platform. It is truly an honor. I grew up in an immigrant family. My parents came over to America in the early 90’s from Russia because of religious persecution. They did the best they could in providing for all of our needs and always encouraged my 6 siblings and I to go to college because they did not get that opportunity. So, when I was about to graduate from high school and told my parents that I wanted to go to cosmetology school, they responded with “we did not come to America for you to work in a salon. Go finish a 4-year degree and then do whatever you want with your life.” I ended up going to business school and graduating with an accounting degree. After graduating college, I got married and worked for 5 years in the accounting field. I was miserable and not happy at my job, but little did I know that this journey through college and work experience was going to prepare me for the future.
After getting married, my husband (David) left for the Army and encouraged me to go back to school for something that I would enjoy and wanted to do long term. I had always wanted to work with skin and lashes because I struggled with acne all through high school and had very low self-esteem, so I decided to quit my job and go to school for my esthetician license. The 8 months that he was gone flew by and I fell more and more in love with everything that I was learning in esthetician school.
Upon graduation, I got a job with LifeSpa in DT Minneapolis. I learned so much and enjoyed every aspect of the job but still had an unfulfilled desire to start my own company. I had just given birth to my first son when my husband and I started talking about taking the leap of faith and starting our own spa/lash studio. After we found our ideal location, everything else moved so quickly. We opened up our small space in Aug 2019 without even knowing where our customers were going to be coming from. A week before we opened, I had only 2 clients on my schedule for the first week. I was praying for guidance and wisdom on how to market myself when I had very little experience. The day before we opened, I had almost a full schedule. Every week brought new surprises and challenges and pushed me out of my comfort zone. My experience in finance helped me set up my business for success by knowing how to manage a tight budget. I got to meet so many wonderful people (Some of them have even become great friends.) In March 2020 the whole state of MN was suddenly shut down for an unknown amount of time. Somehow we survived Covid and the 3 month shut down and when we were able to reopen my clients were so gracious and generous.
In Feb 2021, my husband and I welcomed our second son into our family and in April we were able to hire on help. My schedule was so busy that I wasn’t able to be at home with my newborn, but I am so blessed to have a supportive husband and parents who are willing to go out of their way to help out. We are currently in the process of expanding to a new location (nearby – on the border of Anoka and Champlin). We could not have done this without our family, friends and loyal customers who have supported us during this long journey. David and I are so excited to see where this new adventure will take us.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I heard someone say that you’re not running a business if it’s all smooth sailing. Our journey is anything but easy. When we started the business I had just given birth 6 months prior. My husband, David, was supporting us financially. Balancing home life and young kids with a small business is a struggle everyday. On top of the mom guilt that I have, and the strain that it has on my marriage, I think my biggest obstacle has been my self doubt and impostor syndrome. I am currently working on not letting my past mistakes hold me back from the dreams God has given me but use them as lessons for the future.
As you know, we’re big fans of Aleena’s Lashes & Spa, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Aleena’s Lashe’s & Spa was created from my dream of being able to help others feel confident in their skin and help in their journey to find freedom to enjoy life. My goal is to give every client results so that they don’t have to worry about looking their best.
We currently provide skincare, lash and brow services. Our goal is for everyone who comes into our space with questions about their skin (acne, dry skin, aging, unruly brows, invisible lashes, etc.) can walk out with answers and confidence.
With every facial service, we provide clients samples of products to try out before they invest into a full size home care routine. We don’t want anyone coming home and regretting their purchase or letting the products sit on the counter unused.
For lashes services we provide consultations and a patch test to make sure that clients know how to prepare, what to expect, and to make sure there won’t be any allergic reactions.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Personally, I think every success story has a little bit of luck to it, whether it’s timing, location, or the current trends. However, I don’t believe you can or should rely on luck. Similarly, hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Luck doesn’t help us balance parenting, David’s job and military career, being youth group leaders at church, all while running a business. Taking steps/actions towards my goals has put me into the position to take advantage of any opportunities that were available at that time. I have worked hard and prayed a lot for everything that I have in my life right now and I’m so grateful for it all.
Pricing:
- Classic lashes full set – $150
- Volume lashes full set – $200
- Brow shaping, tint & wax – $40
- Deep cleansing facial – $90
- Dermaplaning & chemical peel – $100
Contact Info:
- Email: Aleenaslashes@gmail.com
- Website: Aleenaslashes.com
- Instagram: @aleenaslashes
- Facebook: Aleena’s Lashes & Spa
Image Credits
Jules.la Photography
Francis Xayana Photography
