Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Rivera.
Hi Vanessa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I always knew I wanted to be successful, I wanted to help people in any way. My career choices changed from wanting to become a nurse, doctor, or even a teacher. An unexpected turn in my young life quickly changed my dreams when I became a mom. As a teenage parent and a Latina in the big city of Philadelphia, I knew I wanted more out of life. I wanted to identify my purpose in life, I wanted more for my daughter. I wanted to break generational curses. I had my daughter my sophomore year of high school, and though I received a lot of heartbreaking comments and stares from my family/friends, I felt the need to prove them wrong. My number one priority was to finish high school. I didn’t want a GED; I wanted to try and have a normal teenage life even though I was far from normal. Thankfully, I had amazing support from my parents and grandparents who helped me graduate high school with a 2-year-old daughter. I applied right away to Community College of Philadelphia and aspired to be a nurse. I started working at a local children’s hospital and continued attending classes while being a mom. About 2 years later, I became a mother for the 2nd time, this time to a baby boy. Still, I continued to strive by working and attending school. Typical community colleges usually take 2 years, but for me, because I was a part-time student, it took me 5 years to earn my associate’s degree. This thought had me on the edge of quitting many times, my friends were graduating with their bachelor’s and I was still working extra hard for my associate’s. I always felt like a turtle in the race. I would shake those thoughts quickly and try to remain focused on my why – my children. Nursing school always felt like a challenge with 2 children and having a full-time job so I switched my major to Cultural Science and Technology. After my graduation, I went on for my bachelor’s, and I got accepted to Temple University into the education program. While working full-time and attending school, I needed another source of income, so I picked up a second job on the weekends to help pay some bills. Three years later, I was drained, exhausted, and felt like giving up. I didn’t have time for anything, I missed so much time with my kids working 7 days a week, and when I was home, my face was in a book, studying. I wanted to cut back my hours and needed another way to earn money but with flexibility, so I looked into a side hustle. Preparing for a vacation I tried an upcoming beauty trend, eyelash extensions. That’s when my prayers were answered. I woke up from my lash session feeling beautiful, strong, and fierce. I felt like my alter ego, my Beyonce – Sasha fierce was activated! I thought “wow if I could make other women feel how I feel right now, this would be an amazing rewarding job.” So, I did my research on how to become an eyelash technician, and shortly after I decided to take class. I didn’t have enough to cover the class so it took me some months to save. Finally, in 2018 I sat in my first lash training, not knowing my life would change forever. I quit my weekend job and started lashing. It was hard, tedious but so satisfying. I started in my basement lashing friends and family. I was able to make money from home and was in control of the hours I wanted to work. With my extra time, I started going to church and spending some much-needed time with my family. This side hustle turned into my passion, what I always wanted. In 2020, I graduated with my bachelor’s and decided to follow my parents to Florida. I knew I wanted to continue to do lashes and serve women in the beauty industry. I had a purpose and that was to help women feel beautiful. While in school to become an esthetician I worked as a mobile eyelash technician. I reached out to friends and family who lived in Florida and would drive hours to do their lashes. This wasn’t for the money; this was to start my growth here in my new home state. It was a sacrifice. After obtaining my esthetician license I worked at a salon in North Lakeland where I started to build friendships with other beauty professionals and clients. Fast forward 2 years later, I have my own Salon suite in downtown Lakeland. All with faith, hard work, and my love for empowering women.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was not smooth, but with faith and prayers, I had the strength to keep going. I stayed focused on my WHY- my children. I wanted them to know you can do anything you desire; with God and hard work, anything is possible. If there are obstacles, then there will be gratitude for the winning moments. There were plenty of times I compared myself to others in the lash industry and I wanted to give up, but I knew that I had my little ones watching and I wouldn’t want them to quit. Even as a young girl people would say horrible things that I would be uneducated and live in poverty because I had a daughter at 16. I needed to show them different not only for me but any other girl who went through what I went through.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Le’von Lash is a place to come channel your inner fierce. By feeling beautiful inside-out. I provide customized eyelash extensions and specialize in eye styling and natural lash health. I love to educate my clients on what lashes are safe for their natural lashes and strive to achieve the look they desire. You will always leave feeling your best with a boost of confidence. I also offer body contouring and sculpting which are non-invasive body enhancements to help lose inches off the waistline. This also encourages clients to engage in active and healthy eating choosing during sessions that will hopefully turn into health lifestyle. I strive for a comfortable setting in any service when booking with Le’von Lash, a place where the vibe is safe, fun, and empowering.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
The name Le’von in Le’von Lash was inspired by a nickname that identified as my alter ego. My perception of myself as fierce, fearless, tough, wild, quick, brave, sexy woman who can do ANYTHING. That’s how lashes make me feel, it channels my inner fierce, is makes me feel beautiful. It’s my form of self-care.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://my-site-102841-104162.square.site/
- Instagram: le.vonlash
Image Credits
Lauren Ashmore Productions
