Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Lor.
Hi Annie, 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?
Growing up, I’ve always wanted to be a cosmetologist, I had a deep passion for enhancing beauty and I was certain in elementary that’s the profession I would take on as I got older. However, it didn’t proceed that way, during high school, the environment I was in, including teachers, friends and family shifted my focus to healthcare. I was definitely influenced by many that I have the patience and integrity to take on patients in a healthcare setting so I actually worked towards my RN degree throughout most of my life.
As I was finishing up my prerequisites to enter the nursing program, I experience a shocking moment in my life, my oldest child (at the time being 3 years old) was being resuscitated and about 10 healthcare workers in the ER rushed in. That completely traumatized me and took me for a different turn in life. I dropped the healthcare field instantly because I just couldn’t bear to see anyone battling life or death.
That’s when I did some more soul searching, and during the pandemic’ when everyone had literally nothing but time due to everything being in closure, I tapped into my very first service within the beauty industry. I became a licensed lash technician in 2020 and right away I knew I wanted to explore more and be able to offer more beauty services to my clients. There was no looking back for me after I dropped the healthcare field, I just kept pushing and here we are 3 years later, offering lash extensions, permanent make up: brows, lips, cosmetic tattooing for stretch mark cover ups. It’s been an amazing ride.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It’s so hard! The beauty and entrepreneurship industry is really hard. But if it was easy, then everyone would be doing it right? Because I knew there was no turning back, I just kept on going and pushing through despite the challenges.
The biggest struggle for me was finding people, clients who genuinely like my work, and will allow me to practice on them in order to build my portfolio. People will look at your licensing and the portfolio you’ve built and will congratulate you, think you’re thriving, or think you’re so lucky but what they don’t understand were the numerous times you had to fight off your own doubts before going to sleep at night, the fear that your business will fail, the fact that maybe it was a wrong investment, or all the free services you had to give up front just to be in good grace. They don’t understand that you had to work so hard just to even bring in that 2-3 clients for that ONE month! I promise you the clients that are meant for you will come to you. You may not be everyone’s cup of tea but you will be for somebody else out there!
As a business owner, it does give you the flexibility to make your own schedule, but the beginning is really really hard. Honestly you have to be in this field for more than 5 years before you start to see more income than expenses, more clients than ghosting or no call no shows.
The struggle is unavoidable, and I always say this, you cannot cheat the grind. It’s what makes you, you. And its definitely what keeps me humble as an artist!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a fully licensed and insured lash technician and body art tattoo technician in the state of Minnesota.
I perform safe lash extension services and professional removals. I offer permanent make up services for eyebrows and lips, along with cosmetic tattooing to help cover up stretch marks and scars.
I specialize in helping all women look beautiful 24/7! My clientele consists of women who are busy, always on the go and want to keep their make up routine short, and women who may not have the best knack for completing their own make up so want to avoid it altogether! Combining permanent make up along with lash extensions is such a game changer, whether it’s a beauty enhancement you are looking for or an everyday glam.
What sets me apart from other artists is that everyone who sits in my chair will get a service catered to their needs. I do not copy and paste, consultations are super important to me. I like to ensure I understand my client’s requests while giving them realistic expectations.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have an amazing mentor and an amazing group of girls that encourages me to continue when the times are hard.
My mentor Cecile, and The Brow Bar Academy has been such a huge part of my growth and successes. Cecile understands that this journey is hard and ensures all her students are comfortable with their craft and so by doing that she offers ongoing support. She will check your social media, latex sheets and give you honest feedback for ways to improve.
If you do not have a mentor, YOU NEED ONE! Having conversations with a mentor is so important. Moments where I wanted to give up, I would contact my mentor Cecile and she enlightens me on my growth, keeps me in check on where I’m headed and she helps me see my visions and goals clearly!
Pricing:
- Lash extensions prices ranging from 170-225 depending on styles
- Ombré brows – PMU service for $375
- Microshading brows – PMU service for $400
- Lip blushing – PMU service for $300
- Lash refills prices ranging from 100-130 depending on the style
Contact Info:
- Website: https://annietimebeauty.as.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annietime.beauty/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annietimebeauty?mibextid=LQQJ4d
