Meet Jacey Lashawn | Teeth whitening specialist & Spa owner

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

Hi Jacey, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking… When I think about taking risks I think about the opportunities and the penalties. You know it’s a common saying “The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward”. And anytime I’m thinking of taking a risk I think of that very saying. I feel if you never take a risk you’ll forever live in fear. Sometimes you have to do the unthinkable to achieve the unimaginable. Taking risks is the very thing that has made my business grow. Of course some risks came with taking a loss. But I don’t look at a loss as a loss. I look at it as another way to perfect myself. Think about it, if you never risk anything you’ll never know about the endless possibilities or your full potential.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Ooh LaLa Lash & Spa is a diamond in the rough. I say that because we haven’t reached our full potential yet. We’re really just getting started. My spa is different from others because we honestly cater to our clients needs individually. Most spas once you get there they already have things planned out for you. But at Ooh LaLa Lash & Spa we like to hear from our clients first. We like to get to know them and their needs before we service them. Everyone is different and what you do for one you may not be able to do for the next. So we make it our mission to customize and accommodate your experience. This road hasn’t been easy but it’s been the most rewarding. I literally started in the living room of my house two years ago before I started to take matters serious. It started with a bed conversation with an ex and we were just sharing ideas. He asked me, “what could I do everyday and never get tired of doing?” I simply told him making people feel better. I’ve always been the type to want to please not only the people around me, but just everyone. Seeing other people happy is what makes me happy. So boom it hit me open a spa. I researched the laws and rules of Alabama and went from there. And that’s really how I got started. I went from my living room, to an overly priced suite, to my own storefront in less than 2 years. I’ve learned that you have to trust in yourself. Don’t wait on others to believe in you. YOU have to do it FIRST. Then once you believe you’ll make other people believe as well. Sometimes that leap of faith can be the very thing that makes you very successful. Don’t live your life in fear of failing because if you never fail you’ll never perfect your craft. My biggest fear was quitting my job and failing. I was working at Dollar General warehouse making $19/hour. And it absolutely scared me to leave that great job with benefits behind to follow my dreams. But once I took that leap of faith God has protected me the entire way. To anyone that is having doubts please don’t doubt yourself. Make a strategic plan and execute. Write out your goals and accomplish them. Every first of the month I write out on paper my goals and plans for that month and how I can achieve them. And each time I ACHIEVE THEM! Work hard and remain humble! This hasn’t been the easiest road and I’ve recently been almost destroyed. I’m currently opening my own teeth whitening business as well and I went to an investor (a public figure) to help me get started. Long story short he took my ideas and ran with it and started his own. It literally had me so discouraged because he has a way bigger following and he executed the plan I had in motion. But God works in mysterious ways because here I am now launching my new business on Aug 1st and I’m interviewing with one of the TOP magazines in ATL. I’m forever grateful. The biggest lesson I learned from that situation is stop trying to take cheat codes, put in the hard work and do it yourself!

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?
OMG! I love this question. Okay so many people in my city feel like we don’t have as many things to offer like a big city such as ATL. But they’re wrong. I highly recommend these places if you’re ever in Birmingham, Al. Food spots we have Urban Smoke and Grill which is black owned and they’re food and vibes are amazing, Wings Heaven and Wings and Stuff are top tier for our chicken spots, Micheal’s and Moonshine are amazing places for roof top bar experience. We have AMAZING food trucks such as A train, Simones Kitchen, K&J pastries, Terrifik Treatz and much more. We also have different food truck parks to visit as well. For club scenery I highly recommend Casanova (new), Blue Onyx, & Plush. They’re my top 3. Top golf is a vibe, Side Bar, Peddle Bike tour, and just the Southside of Birmingham is nice.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would LOVE to give a major shout out to my team, my kids/family, AND my doubters. Without my team members I would be NOTHING. Especially my business manager Lakitha & business partner Bria. Those two keep me on my toes. They’re constantly pushing me & motivating me to become not only a better business but just an overall better person. My kids play a major role in my life. I became a mother early at the age of 17 & they have helped me become the entrepreneur I am. Everyday I see them I know when my times expires on this earth I have to leave them with my legacy. Creating generational wealth is my main goal. I definitely want to shout out my doubters. Without them it wouldn’t be a Ooh LaLa Lash & Spa or JL’s Smile. Proving the doubters wrong is what makes me grind harder EVERYDAY! I’ve had a lot of people to doubt me simply because I didn’t even graduate high school. So they knew I wouldn’t amount to anything. And to prove them wrong is what makes me the happiest. I may have took a detour in life but I’m still going where I need to be! Lastly my parents! Without them it simply wouldn’t be a Jacey. I work hard everyday to make them proud.

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