Today we’d like to introduce you to Reena Patel.
Hi Reena, 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?
I have worked in the financial industry for many years and always used to give my 1000% to the companies I worked for. I had the idea of opening up my own business. On my 10 year anniversary, we canceled our anniversary plans; we flew to Michigan and went to discovery day for an up-and-coming franchise. We ended buying into the franchise that same week. Within a year and a half, we ranked as the #2 franchisee in the company. We started off well, after countless 15-hour workdays. We decided to open our second location in Lake Mary. We had a rough start due to Covid. We were supposed to open in May 2020, but we were delayed to August 2020 and opened when all businesses were working from home, which put a huge damper on our growth. We hustled through our first location shutting down for a month and a half and taking a big hit. We came back from it and are now growing every month. In May 2021 we purchased our third location. We had to make some major changes and are continuing to work hard to build the Winter Park location to the potential it has! I am 38 years old with two boys ages 8 and 6, my husband is an engineering consultant for the army, but helps me where he can. I work hard so that my children can have the life they deserve. My dad was born in Africa and was kicked out of Uganda (when they kicked all Indians out), due to President Idi Amin, he moved to London with his family with barely anything. He studied in London for a few years and then moved to Florida to give a better life for him and my mother.
Around the time I was born, he opened a business with his two brothers Time and Sound. I grew up watching him work hard 7 days a week for his businesses. He taught me what hard work meant. My parents have sacrificed so much by coming to this country to give us the life that we have. I will take that with me on any business I ever own. I want to show my children what hard work means.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. When I opened up Dr. Phillips I had two young boys. I would work before they woke up, and I would work once they were put to bed. I never wanted my children to feel the stress I felt owning multiple businesses. COVID hit us hard. We had to shut our Dr. Phillips salon down for almost 2 months. We lost almost half of our memberships and guests because people were scared to come into a salon and be up and close to a stylist doing their eyelashes. We constantly were reassuring guests that we were taking all necessary precautions to ensure their safety. But even with that, we had guests who lost their jobs and couldn’t afford the services they used to get. In 2021 spring is where we started to pick back up again, but as companies are opening back up, they are also doing a lot of layoffs, so we still have guests that are constantly leaving due to financial reasons. I believe that we will feel this impact until probably the end of the year or longer. We were already under contract for our second location in Lake Mary when Covid hit, we were unable to back out of the project even if we wanted to. We didn’t have a choice but to open during the highest peaks of Covid. We had our loans and contractors to pay as well as rent. Every day we delayed we lost money. We had to work twice as hard to gain guests and spend our marketing/advertisement to bring guests in the door.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Lash Lounge?
The Lash Lounge is a franchise based out of Dallas, Texas. It is a high-end eyelash extension salon. We specialize in eyelash extensions, threading, lash lifts, lash tints, and permanent makeup. What sets us apart from others is we have extensive training to ensure all of our stylists are giving clients the best customer service, customization, and quality that they deserve. We use mapping methods so that a client who is in Orlando can get the same service and look at another Lash Lounge in San Diego. We will not put anything heavy on your lashes that can harm the integrity lashes.
The Lash Lounge is a franchise based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is a high-end eyelash extension salon. We specialize in eyelash extensions, threading, lash lifts, lash tints, and permanent makeup. What sets us apart from others is:
Consultation: Before every service, our stylists take our guests through a thorough consultation. We collaborate with our guests to understand their vision for their lashes and to set the stage for what to expect during the appointment.
Customization: All our stylists complete an extensive training program focused on our exclusive lash design technique patented by our founder. This is so that a guest in Orlando can get the same service and look as at another Lash Lounge in San Diego. Every lash look is 100% safe and unique to each individual guest, crafted to complement their facial features and protect their natural lashes while honoring their preferred style.
Care: Every single time someone comes into our salon, calls to schedule an appointment, or interacts with us on social media is our opportunity to show them how much they mean to us. We’re in the business for them-for their lashes, yes, but also their comfort, their confidence and to be THE place they can breathe, relax and bask in a little “me time”.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I have lived in Orlando since I was two years old. We meet great people from all over the world because of our tourism. I love our city has its own culture, everyone helps bring each other up. There are so many different groups in Orlando for women to help get their name out, speak in a forum, this city is about growth and seeing each other succeed.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: thelashloungedrphillipsorlando, thelashloungewinterpark. thelashloungelakemaryfl
- Facebook: thelashloungedrphillipsorlando, thelashloungewinterpark. thelashloungelakemaryfl
Image Credits
Vee Photography
