Dive Deeper with THE LASH DRIP by Jennifer Ngo
Jennifer Ngo is the founder of The Lash Drip that established in 2020 during the pandemic lockdown. Her love for beauty and makeup led her to become passionate about building a lash brand that makes her customers beautiful and confident!
Please introduce yourself and your business to our readers.
My name is Jennifer Ngo, and I founded The Lash Drip during shelter-in-place! I graduated UCI in 2016 with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Business Management. Truthfully, I had finished college for just the sake of obtaining my bachelor’s. With no clear direction, I pursued a job in sales and business management. However, nothing really ever made me happy or felt fulfilling. I have always known a regular 9–5 was not for me.
What inspired you to start your business?
I have always dreamed of having my own business. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, and it has taught me tons about leadership. It is funny to mention about how my dad always knew he couldn’t work under someone. I guess we can call that entrepreneurship spirit!
What is unique about your business?
I know it is important to have a niche, but I just cannot happen to stick with one! I want everyone to be able to find joy in lashes as I have. Whether you are a newbie or an expert, there is something for you in my shop.
What was your first “I can do this” moment?
Even though I admit that I failed to continue this lash brand in 2018, I had my first “I can do this” moment during that time. I had only ordered 100 lashes at that time, and it was sold out in a couple of months! I was actually very surprised at myself for even making a profit during that first run.
The same has happened recently with The Lash Drip. I had expected to fail, but I sold out very quickly in my first launch! My brand has been such an excitement for me, and I cannot wait to grow my business even more.
How do you manage time to run your business efficiently?
Honestly, I am thankful for quarantine to really push me to run my business! I learned to put 110% effort, and with all this extra time, I don’t have an excuse to not work from home.
How do you advertise your business?
Most of my business comes from social media! I have discovered so many influencers to work with on Instagram, as well as made plenty of friends through the internet. I am very thankful that with this day and age, there are so many great online tools to connect with people worldwide.
Besides social media, I also advertise my business through word of mouth! My friends are great supporters who always hype me up and recommend my brand to their friends, and so on!
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
I would say my biggest failure is launching in 2018. My lash brand at the time was named Lashes Noir. I went into the business without properly researching how to start my brand or even advertise. I had the idea just to get inventory, and sell but did not have clear plans in order for customers to discover my brand. During this time, I was also going through a mental health crisis that completely destroyed my self-confidence.
Eventually, I gave up on my brand. From this experience, I learned that failure is sometimes inevitable, but what really matters is how you pick yourself up from it.
Was there a time you wanted to quit?
Always! Maybe it is just my automatic thoughts and negative nature…but I think about quitting often. Not because I do not believe in my brand, I just have this issue with thinking I should quit now before it becomes a failure. It is something I have to struggle with every day.
What do you wish someone told you before you started?
I wish I had someone tell me ways to adapt when life is always changing! Okay, I know this can not be exactly the advice that is easy…especially because of the pandemic. Eventually, I learned this on my own! I have seen lots of shops transitioning their business to fit with today’s problems with COVID-19.
What businesses do you admire?
Honestly, where do I even start? One business that came to mind is Paul Mitchell. John Paul DeJoria, the founder, went from rags to riches — homeless to a billionaire. I found this story inspiring, and it is admirable he actually commits his time and money into programs to help the homeless community.
How do you personally define success?
The definition of success always changes with me. I used to think that success was just turning an investment into profit, whether it is opening a business or finishing school. Now, I define success as overcoming every small goal that comes my way. I think it is important to celebrate the small successes in life!
What was the best piece of advice you ever got? The worst?
The best piece of advice is to TRY. It is easier said than done — I find myself creating so many worst-scenarios in my head, wondering what if I fail, what if it does not go well, what IF. But you never know until you TRY. Thank you dad for teaching me this!
The worst would have to be beating out your competitors. It is natural to have other businesses competing for the title of being the BEST. But I do not believe it should be a goal to surpass other businesses, it is all about what makes YOUR business unique. There are enough customers in the world for everyone! Focus on yourself, and the rest will follow.
What is a quote you like to live by?
“I don’t care what you think about me, I don’t think about you at all” — Coco Chanel
Sorry, not sorry. I refuse to constantly try to prove my worth to people. I don’t need people’s validation when I already value and accept myself for who I am.
How do you find inspiration? What motivates you every day?
The world is my oyster! But seriously, just about everyone I discover through social media inspires me! From other online businesses to other bosses, I never stop learning about businesses!
My circle of friends motivates me every day! I don’t think I would be who I am or how I run my business without the love of my close friends who are my biggest supporters. They are the ones cheering me on whenever I have a bad day filled with self-doubts.
Shop The Lash Drip: https://thelashdrip.co/
