Meet Janelle Koch of Blink Lash Boutique in Mission Valley and Solana Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Koch.

Janelle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I first heard of eyelash extensions in 2006, I was hooked. I immediately took a training and began practicing until I could perfect the skill. As I began seeing clients, I saw that there weren’t many people offering the service at that time, and even fewer who were dedicated to doing it properly and not harm the natural lashes. The stories of clients having bad experiences trying them out had already begun so I knew a place was needed that made the art and skill of eyelash extensions the top priority, where clients could feel safe knowing their lashes would be cared for so they could enjoy the service without worry.

In 2007, I quit my job in skin care so I could focus only on eyelash extensions. That same year my good friend Jen Person became trained and we soon joined forces. In 2008, Blink Lash Boutique was born in Mission Valley.

As the demand for the service grew, we grew with it, training new lash stylists, expanding our space and in 2010 opening our location in Solana Beach. We have always maintained our integrity and kept to our original mission of providing a place for clients where they know they can expect the best service available.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Owning a business is never a smooth road, but each challenge we overcome makes it that much more rewarding. Both of us are estheticians by trade so we learned the business management aspect along the way. Learning how to handle everything from marketing to growing with employees to protecting our business identity over the years have all been things we have had to face. And navigating the business world as 2 women has posed its own challenge at times as well. There have definitely been challenges of having to prove ourselves to people who don’t take us as seriously because we’re women. But all of these things have just helped us grow and become even stronger.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Blink Lash Boutique story. Tell us more about the business.
We specialize in eyelash extensions. That is our core and what we are known for. Doing them well, the right way, and not compromising quality or the health of the natural lashes. We are the first multi-location eyelash specialty salon in the country, and still one of the very few out there that provides a full dedicated staff just to eyelash extensions. We had this vision and started the company before most people had heard of the service. We always felt that by dedicating ourselves to this instead of offering a little of everything, would be what would make us stand out in the industry. We are extremely proud of being innovators in the industry, setting the bar for what clients should expect from their eyelash extension stylist, and the fact that we grew completely organically based on our reputation.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I would not say luck played a role in building Blink Lash Boutique, Neither Jen or I have had help or handouts of any kind to start and grow our business. We both come from very humble beginnings and learned hard work at a young age, it took (and takes) a lot of dedication and sacrifice to create something out of nothing. But our love of the service and for our clients always keeps us pushing forward.

Pricing:

• Full sets start at $99
• Touch ups start at $79

Contact Info:

• Address: 7801 Mission Center Ct., Ste. 104, San Diego, CA 92108
  665 San Rodolfo, Ste. 108, Solana Beach, CA 92075
• Website: www.blinklashboutique.com
• Phone: Mission Valley 619-964-6082
  Solana Beach 858-436-4456
• Email: info@blinklashboutique.com
• Instagram: blinklashboutiquesd
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/blinklashboutique
• Twitter: @blinklash
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blink-lash-boutique-san-diego, https://www.yelp.com/biz/blink-lash-boutique-solana-beach-2

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