others, The first time I got lash extensions I was volunteering to be a model for my then sister-in-law who had just completed a training course.  

It only took me a few minutes of talking with her before I decided that the lash industry was where I needed to be.  The income potential and possibilities were obvious to me.  That was over 7 years ago and I now have a successful lash business in Salt Lake City, Utah.  

When I sought out to train and grow my business, my focus was always to help other women succeed.  When I train others, I want to teach women how to take hold of their future and be successful in a well-paying career.  

I read this article on Minnesota Public Radio News and it hit close to home for me. 

Just like the minority business owner in this story, I too learned how to do lashes before realizing I needed an esthetics license to provide the service.  I felt very discouraged (and lied to by the company that trained me) after spending over $1200 to learn a skill I could not use to earn money.  I was fortunate enough to get a job working at a lash studio that offered esthetics apprenticeships.  I earned my license while I worked and I am not sure I would have been able to get to where I am any other way.  

I really hope the state of Minnesota can help this and other small business owners out by offering a lesser license for those interested in just offering lash extensions.  It is a lucrative industry that is going to keep growing and provides a good living to women.  I am single-mom of 4 and I run my business part-time and employ 3 other women.  There are few other industries that create this type of opportunity for women and I hate to see the barriers to entry increase beyond a reasonable measure.