Meet Elisha Havard | Lash Artist, Brow Groomer/Waxer & Natural Hair Stylist

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

Hi Elisha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Before I started my current business, The Loveli Experience, I sold lash strips, lipgloss, clothes, etc. Still, I made sure that it was at an affordable price since my target audience was my classmates and other college students. But, I found that some of my customers didn’t know how to put on the lashes that they purchased from me. I appreciated my customers’ support but knew I had to offer a solution that made it easier and more convenient to give my clients that lash look they wanted without all the hassle. So, after doing a lot of research because during that time individual lash extensions were not popular, I found someone in my area to teach me, took my 9 to 5 check, and used the entire thing on my lash extension course because investing in yourself is the best thing that you can do. Since then, it has been 3 years in the industry and I haven’t looked back. I even added other services like, brow grooming, and waxing services and I have also currently graduated from cosmetology school which is huge for me. I’ve always been interested in offering hair services to my clients, specifically taking care of their natural crowns and “hair” underneath so I’m excited to start offering those services to my clients.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I know what sets my business, The Loveli Experience, apart from others is the fact that I base my business on ‘The Golden Rule’ which is “Treat others the way that you want to be treated.” I know it may sound too simple to base my business on but it’s always the little things that your clients take with them whether it’s positive or negative. From a warm greeting to educating but also entertaining your customers & even showing some extra appreciation for them shopping with the business because they honestly don’t have to. It may sound extensive to some, but I know what it feels like to go into a business and not even be acknowledged so I knew I wanted my customer’s Experience with my business to be a luxurious one. I am not going to lie, it was a challenge starting my business as a college student with no plan but just a vision and strong determination. But I knew how I would want to be treated when I went into an establishment and what services, products, and energy I wanted whoever I was shopping with to have. I took my ideal shopping Experience and translated that into my current business & I knew that I wanted every person that walks through my doors whether in a suite or a full-scale building to say, “I had a great time at The Loveli Experience & I can’t wait to go back.” As far as my brand, I want the world to know that the beauty industry is forever growing and expanding and that I will continue to grow but also still keep the ideals that made my business the Experience that it is.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My friends and I have a LOVE for good food and a good mood! So when link up we know it’s going to be a lot of laughs, appetizers, and great drinks. But, when it comes to my favorite restaurants I honestly don’t have just one, because it depends on my mood and how I am feeling that day. Sometimes I want a burger and fries, other times I want a steak and a good drink but I know I always want to end the night with something sweet! It’s a weakness of mine, whether it’s at the restaurant that I go to or if I have to go to a different location my friends are always down for it. Also, just a little fact about me — I am an adventurer. I love canoeing, hiking, and rollercoasters like anything you can explore, and maybe getting an adrenaline rush from it is right up my alley. Thankfully, my friends are the type to be on the more adventurous side sometimes even more than me but I know whatever we do we will have a great time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
During my entrepreneurial journey, it was tough because I did not have any formal business training. I was just a girl with a passion for helping people, specifically women, feel better after purchasing or receiving a makeover with me. From there, my passion grew into really perfecting my customer service and my love for beauty allowed me to dive into the business industry and show what I was made of. It was not common for anyone in my family to have their own business, but it was common for everyone to have their passion. I’ve always had the example from my family, especially my great-grandmother (may she rest in peace). They always told me things like, “Take pride in what you do”, “Anything worth having is not easily obtained” and “Keep God First”. Also, since we were a military family we had to move without warning, and at times “fitting in” was difficult for me. But, my father and mother taught my sister and I that any adversity in life you shouldn’t run away or hide from it. Facing it head-on will allow me to grow into a better and stronger version of myself and you never know, you may change the “temperature” of the room because of it. With those ideals, I was able to create a successful business because it is full of clients, supporters, friends, and even strangers cheering me on to this day & I love them for it more than they’ll know.

Website: https://linktr.ee/TheLoveliExperience

Instagram: https://instagram.com/theloveliexperience

Image Credits
The credit for the images goes to Matthews Studios.