Are you passionate about the art of eyelash extensions? Are you considering venturing into the world of lash education to share your hard-earned expertise and lash experience with other aspiring Lash Artists?
Perhaps you see yourself starting your own Lash Academy, but you’re unsure about where to begin or how to navigate the process. If so, you're not alone! It’s almost a natural transition for Lash Artists who love what they do to want to share that skill with others.
As a Lash professional who has been down the path of establishing a brand as a successful Lash Artist and Educator, I understand the desire to share enables us to talk endlessly about our favorite topic and opens doors to sharing the incredible support and opportunities in this Lash community of like-minded peers.
While the steps to becoming a Lash Educator may seem simple, the reality of what’s involved may be more than most of us anticipate. In this blog, we’ll break down the checklist of what’s required to get you there on your Lash Educator journey.
You can also join our podcast for an engaging discussion with our CEO, Jodi Harrison, and Head of Marketing, Alicia Phoenix, as they share their expert insights on the advantages of becoming a lash educator:
Your Complete Checklist for Becoming a Successful Lash Educator:
1. Research Regulations for Lash Training and Qualifications
Understanding the regulatory requirements in your state and local area is a critically important first step in your journey. Your considerations include meeting key curriculums, and health and safety protocols to ensure your facility and lash training materials meet regulatory requirements. However, locating accurate information can be a challenge. Consider reaching out to governmental sources and checking in with your local cosmetology board for guidance on the educational requirements and level of qualification required for your area.
2. Obtain Accredited Certification
As with most things, not all educator certificates are equal. To start your certification process, look for an organization that is certified or recommended and complies with local legislative authority requirements. Don’t get sucked in by lash salons who leverage lash training as a way of selling their products as part of the deal. Look for widely recognized organizations with exceptional customer reviews whose first priority is to operate in the best interest of the industry.
3. Develop Comprehensive Lash Training Resources
Starting from a zero-base, developing training manuals and resources is not for the faint-hearted. Your training manual will become an ever-evolving labor of love as you work through the material, continuously improving and updating it to reflect industry and regulatory changes.
It can be tempting to reach out to an organization in your state that has developed training material that is customizable to your brand, which has a curriculum developed to meet the regulations of your local cosmetology board. However, do be wary of MRR (Master Resell Rights) Products, you may find that many individuals are offering to sell their Lash training manuals, however, they may not have been developed by the person selling them.
If you haven't heard of MRR Products, the general idea is that you can purchase a course, such as a lash course, and you are given the rights to resell the course for profit.
The safest way to stay authentic and really understand what you are selling and teaching is to create your lash course yourself.
Keeping up to date on industry changes and state regulations will enable you to provide current, relevant information to your students. Thorough research is time-consuming yet critical because a Google search will provide reams of facts about eyelash extension trends, do’s, and don’ts. Working out what’s current can be a minefield, and we can easily fall into the trap of regurgitating old and incorrect information.
Networking with industry groups is a must to stay current on industry trends and updates. I strongly recommend signing up for community groups and attending at least one or two conferences yearly.
And remember, when developing comprehensive training resources for your eyelash extension academy, consider including quality lash aftercare products. Prolong Lash offers top-notch products that help maintain the health and longevity of eyelash extensions. By incorporating Prolong Lash Cleanser into your curriculum, you provide your students with practical lash experience and the knowledge to recommend the best aftercare solutions to their future clients.
4. Effective Marketing Strategies for Your Eyelash Extensions Academy
Promoting your Lash Academy in a highly saturated industry requires a strategic approach. Here are the top 5 things you need to do in developing your marketing strategy:
- Define Your Target Audience: Identify your ideal customers based on demographics, psychographics, behaviours, and needs. Having a clear understanding of your target audience helps you tailor your marketing approach and the strategies you’ll use to effectively reach that audience.
- Set Clear Objectives and Goals: Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your marketing efforts. Whether your aim is increasing brand awareness, generating leads, or boosting sales, clear objectives will provide direction and focus for your strategy. Understanding your analytic data is critical to determining whether you are spending your marketing budget in the right areas.
- Conduct Market Research: Through market research, you can learn who you’re competing against and gather insights about the industry, competitors, and your target market. You can also learn about trends, customer preferences, competitor strategies, and any existing gaps or opportunities. This information informs your strategy and helps you make better-informed decisions.
- Develop Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP): Be clear about what sets your product or service apart from competitors and why customers should choose you over others. Your UVP should communicate the benefits and value you offer to your target audience in a compelling and memorable way. Your beauty, Lash Artist, and training qualifications and those of your trainers will go a long way toward helping persuade prospective students to come on board and train with you.
- Choose the Right Marketing Channels and Tactics: Select the most appropriate channels and tactics to reach your target audience and achieve your marketing objectives. Consider various options such as social media, email marketing, content marketing, SEO, PPC advertising, influencer partnerships, etc. Tailor your approach based on where your audience is most active and receptive.
5. The Power of Accreditation in Lash Education and Training
Achieving and broadcasting your recognition of accreditation for yourself and your training academy is not a mere formality. It demonstrates a commitment to excellence. By gaining accreditation, you build confidence in prospective students and demonstrate that your curriculum and training meet government legislative and local requirements and are of the highest standards. Accreditation for your lash training academy is a seal of approval for the quality and credibility of what you have to offer.
6. Launch your Lash Academy
Building anticipation is a key part of your marketing strategy and planning to build interest and momentum prior to your academy's launch is critical to a successful debut. Invest time and money in pre-launch promotions to cultivate excitement and attract prospective students to your classes.
Embarking on the journey to becoming a Lash Educator is an exciting yet multifaceted endeavor. From understanding regulatory requirements to developing comprehensive training resources and effective marketing strategies, the path demands planning and dedication. Researching regulations, obtaining accredited certification, and staying updated on industry changes are foundational steps. Moreover, effective marketing, tailored to define target audiences, clear objectives, and unique value propositions, is crucial for success. The power of accreditation cannot be overstated; it instills confidence in prospective students and showcases the quality and credibility of your training academy. Lastly, launching your academy requires strategic pre-launch promotions to generate interest and anticipation. With perseverance and a passion for sharing knowledge, you can turn your dream of educating aspiring Lash Artists into a rewarding reality.
Explore valuable insights and advice on the Prolong Lash blog, our YouTube channel, and The Aussie Lashwives Podcast. Find out how collaborating with us can enhance the growth of your small business today!
