Meet Boss Tee | Lash Artist, Instructor, and Serial Entrepreneur

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

Hi Boss, how do you think about risk?
I see risk as a source of excitement. When I consider the risks tied to success, I recognize the transformative power they hold. I understand how embracing risk can shape your life, and how avoiding it can limit your potential. Taking risks is the path to greatness—it’s how you set limitless expectations and break boundaries that influence the future. Without risk, there’s no reward. Risk-taking is the essence of growth and progress in life and business.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My name is Boss Tee 🌹, and I am the CEO of Exotic Effect, a luxurious lash brand that has redefined what’s possible for my future and my calling in business. I launched this brand in 2019 during a time when I was desperate to create not just income but also the freedom to focus on the business I was building at the time. Through that financial business, I learned the value of not just making money but creating the time to enjoy it.

Lashing found me—I didn’t find it. One day, while researching potential side hustles on YouTube and Google, I explored options like dropshipping, starting a clothing line, becoming a nail tech, or learning how to do hair. None of them felt like the right fit for me. Then I came across lashing. At first, it seemed tedious, but something about it sparked my curiosity. I decided to give it a try—not out of a passion for beauty or lash extensions (I wasn’t even wearing them at the time)—but because I saw an opportunity to master a skill that could allow me to work on my own terms.

From that moment on, I made it my mission to take this business to the next level. It hasn’t been an easy journey—I’ve faced countless hurdles and came close to giving up more than once. But five years later, I’m proud to say that I’m still standing strong, and Exotic Effect is thriving like never before.

I recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of my salon suite—a milestone I never dreamed possible when I first started. The journey hasn’t been easy, though. For months, self-doubt weighed heavily on me, making me question if I was good enough or if my business would ever succeed. Despite the challenges, I kept pushing forward. Over the past four years, I’ve transitioned from working a 9-to-5 to becoming a full-time entrepreneur for the past three years. This freedom has given me the opportunity to fully dedicate myself to building and growing my brand.

Today, I’m more than just a lash artist—I’m a lash instructor, offering courses for beginners and advanced professionals, as well as mentorship programs for beauty entrepreneurs. I’ve launched a merch line and am preparing to drop a product line very soon.

Exotic Effect is more than a brand; it’s a movement that’s set to take the lash industry by storm. I’m excited to introduce the world to a lash experience like never before! This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting, I’d plan the ultimate experience by taking them to a wellness retreat. I don’t have a specific retreat in mind, but I imagine an all-inclusive getaway focused on relaxation, peace, and wellness.

Over the past two years, I’ve come to deeply value rest and stillness. The Bible emphasizes the importance of rest, but as a young entrepreneur, I was so caught up in the grind culture that I missed the treasures found in peace. Now, I want to share that realization with those I love.

This retreat would feature world-class spas, massages, steam rooms, saunas, herbal baths, jacuzzis, pools, and more. I’d like us to disconnect from our phones, journal, set goals, and pray together—celebrating our friendship and expressing gratitude for the future.

I’d ensure my best friend has a luxurious suite with a breathtaking view, inspiring her to wake up each day surrounded by life’s beauty. She’d be pampered with the best amenities, 5-star dining, and access to all the activities the retreat has to offer.

Just a few months ago, my answer to this question might have included exotic cities, nightlife, and drinks. But my mindset and priorities have shifted. Now, I’m focused on peace and want to extend that gift to the people I value about most.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who have contributed to my journey and success, both in small and significant ways, but first and foremost, all the praise belongs to God. Without Him, I’m not sure success would have even been an option for me.

In 2018, when I made the life-changing decision to move across the country to attend Clark University, I left behind everything familiar, including my family, with whom I shared an incredibly close bond. Suddenly, I found myself without their physical support, and that transition forced me to find new ways to navigate the challenges ahead. Over the past four to five years, I’ve developed a deep faith that has been instrumental in helping me achieve things I once thought impossible. On the hardest days, when I couldn’t rely on a mentor or even reach out to my family, God was there. He lifted me up, gave me comfort, and provided the strength I needed to keep going, even when giving up seemed like the only option.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to my mother, Pretrece, for teaching me the values of strength, independence, and treating others with respect and empathy. To my cousin Janae, who has been like a big sister to me, thank you for carrying my emotional weight and offering unwavering support through the years. And to my auntie Emily, who became a grandmother figure after I lost mine, thank you for stepping into my life with love, guidance, and mentorship, raising me as if I were your own. These incredible women have profoundly shaped my life, and I am eternally grateful for their impact on my journey.

Website: https://www.exoticeffectlashes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exoticeffectlashes

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terreanna-braud-8a7448180

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bossteeofficial

Other: Link tree: https://linktr.ee/Bossteee

Beacons: https://beacons.ai/bosstee