Meet Taihler Simms | Lash Artist & Licensed Esthetician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taihler Simms and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taihler, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was simply wanting mental FREEDOM and wanting to be able to do something I liked to do that didn’t feel like work but still made me money. I’m a firm believer that you cannot do good at a job you hate going to. It’s nearly impossible. It came to a point where I had worked all these “good” jobs that people dreamed of working- USPS, correctional officers, substitute teachers, etc… ALL deemed good jobs, but yet they were so unfulfilling to me. I was so unhappy working them because it just wasn’t for me. I was born to be a BOSS. I remember being interested in taking a lash class when I was trying to find what I wanted to start my business venture doing, and one day I just DID IT. I had never been a girly girl, into lashes and all of the sort but I’m naturally a huSTLer so after I trained, I hit the ground running, building my clientele from nothing, to funding my life off lash extensions. Fast forward, I went on to further perfect my craft and add other beauty enhancing services by enrolling and graduating from an Esthetics program. I am now a licensed esthetician.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am truly a Jack of all trades. -no exaggerations. (lol) To know me is to know that I am good at almost anything that I do. I am originally from STL, MO and we are known to be the home of the huSTLers! I think that’s the first thing that sets me apart from any entrepreneur in ATL. Naturally, I have the “go getter” drive IN me, not just ON me. No, I never lived this super hard life, but I did have kids at a younger age and from that day forward I knew the type of time I was on…By any means necessary! Another thing that sets me apart from others is that for me, good just isn’t good enough! I never settle with anything in life, but definitely not my business and how I make my coins! I’m always trying to see how I can do more to get more, make my business better, and build my brand to its highest potential. People get comfortable and start to get lax/lazy. You have to keep going! On the slow days, the busy days, the unmotivated days, the good, and the bad. Literally!

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come. From STL to ATL is a lot right there! It took me forever to see that! People are scared to start a business, let alone take their business to a new state and start from 0 clients again! I’m also proud that I never stop being better with time. Some people hit a bump in the road, fall down, and that’s just that. I have failed many times during this process, but one thing about me I ALWAYS come out fighting to be better than the failure, and for that I will always be proud of me and where I am. Mama definitely did NOT raise a quitter!! That being said, I am super excited to be moving into a new location after being home based for a while, being in a suite, and working in establishments where it didn’t work out for me. This time I can take the lessons and go into my new location using them to be wiser, stronger, and mentally ready for whatever comes trying to interfere with the great things I have in store!

Being the strong entrepreneuHER that I am today was not easy! From building a brand from scratch, building clientele, building a new life in a new state, and sometimes failing multiple times before getting it right! It’s literal trial and error, just like with anything else in life. I’ve worked for other companies offering the same services as me, taking a 50% pay cut on the service just to have clientele, and falling short in my head, knowing I could’ve just made ALL the money myself. Things like that showed me I was worth more than I thought I was! I always self-reflect when I feel like I’m not doing enough, and I have to tell myself you’re exactly where you need to be! Many challenges you face, turn into lessons that you can build from. -and that’s how I get over the challenges, by turning them into learning experiences. It’s all up to you on if you gone keep the lemons thrown your way or make lemonade. -the choice is yours!

A few lessons I learned along the way are:
1) It’s okay to ask for help or take advice! I used to just be this bossy boss that felt like I knew everything already and I didn’t need help! I’m here to tell you there is nothing wrong with taking advice or accepting help. Some people have been where you are before and hearing them out could change your life and perspectives! It could help you avoid issues and make you better at the same time. No one knows everything, but together you could know a lot more!

2) Keep adding services! You should always be adding to your craft, whatever it is. This brings you more money, more knowledge and more clientele. The world is evolving every day, there’s new things being presented to the world, etc. You have to keep up with time so you gave something to offer every generation/age group as time goes on.

3) Do everything legit the first time around! A lot of times we just jump out and start offering services, making money, but I feel I’ve learned to do everything right the first time. Get an LLC, bank account, take the right certifications/school course to receive your license, and get insurance! This eliminates any bigger issues later or you having to have track in your business.

I want the world to know this didn’t happen overnight! I had to treat my brand like my baby in a sense! Pouring into it consistently, even if it wasn’t timely. This could be you! I want yall to know I was just a small city girl with big dreams. REGULAR girl with drive and ambition! So if I can do it, you can too! Marvalous Esthetics will be bigger than big! Mark my words!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friends were visiting and I wanted to show them the best time ever we would definitely start with food ! (lol) We would start with Benihana or The Orient, my two favorite hibachi spots! I’m pickyyyy so I like what I like! Where I’m from we love us some good soul food, and although I’m sure there’s more I have to hit up “This Is It” has been one of my faves so far, so we’d make our rounds there. Lastly, Waffle House of courseee, cause who comes to the A and doesn’t go ? lol

I still like to explore night life so we would visit some of my favorite lounges/bars. I love me a good chill night at “Lemon Butter”, “Sivas”, or “Pizza Spot”. Lastly, everybody in Cobb County knows a night aint a good one if you dont end up at ‘”Docs” bar afterwards. Lol If I was to take them to a night club, it would have to probably be “Revel” for sure! It’s always a hit, they never miss.

Being in Georgia turned me into a nature girl real bad. I love a good hike, walk, or bike ride. I would take them to the “Silver Comet Trail” to bike ride and get some sunlight and fresh air, “Stone Mountain” or “Kennesaw Mountains” to do some hiking or “Roswell Mill” to enjoy a walk while looking at the pretty scenery. The Beltline would be another must visit spot for us. So many restaurants to eat/drink at during the walk, scooters to ride, and nice people to meet and network/mingle with. These are my favorite experiences. Simple yet fulfilling!

A lot of my friends are Boss Ladies too, so were always looking for good networking events to be a part of! I would for sure, make sure we hit up any networking events we can gain some knowledge and tips at. I’m always down to meet new people I can learn from or maybe even teach something.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to shoutout my grandmother, Marva B. She played a huge role in motivating me to be where I am today, as an entrepreneur! I would call her at some of my previous employers frustrated and emotional because I was uncomfortable and unhappy making a living where I did not want to be. She would always encourage me to leave where I was and start doing my own thing, whatever that may be. When I got into lashing, she would uplift me like no other, giving me words of encouragement and cheering me on. She kept me going in the seasons where business would slow up and I was ready to give up, pouring positivity into me and telling me she could see me being this bomb boss lady having my own prospering salon one day. That was the biggest motivation for me. It’s one thing to believe in yourself but when others believe in you as well (sometimes more THAN yourself) GENUINELY, it’s a warm feeling that makes you want to prove them right. – Because of the impact she had on me, I named my business after her, Marvalous Esthetics.

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