Entering A Lash Competition & What It Can Do For Your Business
By Elleebana HQ and Zoe Mitter Owner
Recent conversations with salons have led me to write a little article on why entering a competition should be something you shouldn’t only just consider and then file away in the too hard basket.
While scrolling through my Facebook feed, I noticed a post that caused a tear to well in my eye. A post that I felt was incredibly true, real and something that regardless of the industry you work in, is a very raw and truthful statement. The comment was, “I feel I am losing the passion for lashing – my heart just isn’t in it anymore”. All of the sad face emojis followed…..
I offered words of comfort to this lovely lady who had lost her way and it got me thinking – without a doubt the lash industry can be a very lonely one, particularly for those who work in a solo situation. If a stylist only ever sees clients, the only place where they feel comradery is in a forum where they are surrounded by other lash enthusiasts or at a conference with speakers who are talking their lash language – there isn’t a huge opportunity for lash stylists to keep their lash loving alive.
Or is there?
Here are some of the reasons why entering a competition might be just the ticket!
A personal growth opportunity
It takes skill to enter a competition, that’s for sure, but it also takes a little bit of courage because after all, you are putting yourself in a situation that might just be a little out of your comfort zone and it’s when you are out of your comfort zone, that is when you learn a little more about your own personal coping mechanisms and your ability to adapt. We all need to be adaptable in our careers, but also in life, and so I feel that entering a competition can help you become adaptable and give you the ability to step outside of what is familiar and experience personal growth.
Confidence
Comfort zones are just that – comfortable, but when we wiggle ourselves out of that safe space and begin to experience a little bit more of unfamiliar territory, it can really make you feel good about yourself. You are trying something different and its for your own benefit – you can start to feel a little more confident about yourself both on a personal level, but also, you can begin to have confidence in the work you are performing on your clients.
Technical perspective
Isn’t the saying “do what you have always done and you will get what you have always gotten” – Networking at a competition is a wonderful way to expand your technical skillsets. It’s almost like looking at a fresh set of lashes all over again when you learn something new or hone in your current techniques with a slight adjustment that you picked up in a competition. Often judges will give you constructive criticism which can be nerve-wracking but throughout the process, you gain new knowledge and expertise that you can take back to your salon and your clients.
Relationships
As mentioned earlier, staying within that same comfort zone instead of branching out to meet new people is easy and life needs to be easy for sure, but what are the possibilities that you might be missing out on? With each new relationship that you gain, you build your network — which can help you professionally because we all learn from one another in some way, even if it’s only encouraging you to change your perspective or consider things differently – growth and learning is a bonus isn’t it?
Opportunities
Win, lose or draw a competition offers you the opportunity to promote to your clients that you are pushing yourself to be better. This is worth marketing to your current clients as well as any potential new clients who will appreciate that you are attempting to excel in your chosen field amongst our peers, which in itself is inspiring. Being an inspiration to others (including your clients) can also encourage them to do the same and before you know it you are raising people up all around you, and sometimes, this in itself is enough to help keep your own passion alive.
So why not look at what competitions or opportunities there are in your industry and dip your toes in the water…. Is there really anything to lose or everything to gain?
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