Worth the Drive
Worth the Drive 🎙️
The people behind the places you love.
Real conversations with local creators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders—recorded while driving through the city in a classic car.
Stories about culture, identity, and the moments that shape our communities.
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Worth the Drive
Lala, Worth the Drive
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In this episode of Worth the Drive, we ride through Long Beach with Lala, founder and creative force behind Draped by Lala — a brand built on confidence, expression, and authenticity. What started as a passion for style and individuality has grown into something much deeper: a platform that empowers people to feel seen, celebrated, and comfortable in their own skin.
In this conversation, we talk about the hustle behind building a creative business, the importance of community, and how fashion can become a form of storytelling. Lala opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship, staying true to your vision, and creating art that reflects the people and culture around you.
Something special about people who want others to feel better, who want more confidence in themselves. Something special about people who go out of their way to make you feel like a different person, like a better person, more confident person. Sometimes that that takes subtle things, little changes. Maybe the ability to look more awake or to feel beautiful. Today, I'm with Lala of Drake by Lala. A lash and brow studio here in Long Beach. Where her goal isn't only to put on nice lashes, but to make her clients feel great about themselves. To make a single mom who's running around with three kids and a job. To take a little time for herself. A little self-expression. Come take a drive with me and La La. Where were you where are you from?
SPEAKER_00Where am I from? Like originally. Okay, so originally I was born in LA.
SPEAKER_01You're in La La Land.
SPEAKER_00La La Land, okay. So born in LA, South Central LA, and then we moved to like Bellflower. Uh-huh. And then when I was six, we moved to Rhode Island. Whoa. So I lived there until I was 12. And then came back and lived in Long Beach. And then when I was 17, we moved to Newport Beach. So I graduated from high school at Newport Beach.
SPEAKER_01What brought you to Long Beach, though? Like what brought the family to Long Beach?
SPEAKER_00So my dad's family, they were all still here in Long Beach. And my mom wanted us to reconnect with our dad again, and that's why she moved us back here.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01So why was your dad's family at Long Beach?
SPEAKER_00Well, basically, migrating from Cambodia, everybody came to the states. My dad's family came straight to California, LA.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Like the majority of the Cambodian population.
SPEAKER_00Majority. So actually, that's how my dad and my mom's family, like how they met, because they all lived in the projects in South Central with all the other Cambodian refugees. So that's how they all met. And my dad's family went from LA to Long Beach. That's where my dad was. And then my mom's family went to the East Coast.
SPEAKER_01Is it true that Long Beach has the largest population of Cambodian people in the world?
SPEAKER_00Yes, outside of Cambodia, yes. And that is why we have Cambodia Town.
SPEAKER_01And Cambodia Town is just getting ready to do get an upgrade. They're gonna get a new sign as you're entering Cambodia Town. And they're still trying to get like a cultural center put in, which would be pretty awesome. So how close are you to your Cambodian roots?
SPEAKER_00I feel like I am very close because growing up, I was always involved in the community. My mom's side of the family has always worked in the community, nonprofit. I was giving back to our community. So it was so normal for us to just volunteer and be a part of events.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_00So moving back to Long Beach, we hopped right into the community. And you know, my mom helped plan like the Cambodian New Year parades. My mom had a nonprofit for Cambodian senior citizens. We always hosted a gala. And so I feel like I'm really close. And even now, you know, I always try to attend as many events as I can, especially Cambodian New Year, and making sure my girls, too, who are mixed, you know, I want to make sure that they are still involved with the Cambodian culture.
SPEAKER_01So which is kind of cool because uh you can't really walk a block without seeing some part of Cambodia in this city, which is awesome, especially the food. And I'm gonna say that from a spoiled position. We're able to experience Cambodian food by actual cooks that are Cambodian, which is pretty pretty phenomenal. So come back to Long Beach. Uh, you graduate from high school bougie. I'm gonna ignore that. Um what uh what gave you your start in um the beauty industry?
SPEAKER_00So after college, um I ended up taking care of my stepdad and my mom. My stepdad had an accident, and then my mom had like a tumor. So I was stuck home basically taking care of them. And then it was kind of the question of like, so what am I gonna do now? Right. So my major was broadcast journalism. I always wanted to like work in radio and entertainment. What? But then, but then after having to take care of my parents and seeing like how important it was to make them feel good, I was like, okay, what yeah, what else am I gonna do? And my stepdad was a business owner, and he's like, either you work for somebody or you work for yourself. What are you gonna do? And I'm like, uh, I don't know. And then so one of my girlfriends said, you know, why don't you uh get into lashes? Like you love lashes, and why don't you start your own business? And I was like, I don't know. I don't know how my stepfather who owns like, you know, an engineering company, I don't know how he's gonna feel about that, you know, that I want to do beauty. But I told him and he was like, Yes, you should do it. You know, you've always been into beauty, you have great eyelashes, do it. And I'm like, okay, and so I did it.
SPEAKER_01So what was the process from like start to finish? Like when you said, okay, I want to get into this field, what was the first step you took?
SPEAKER_00I started researching what credentials do I need to do eyelashes, right? So eyelash extensions, and then you know, aesthetician school schools came up, cosmetology schools. But then I was like, okay, I just did four years of college, like I'm not going to go to school for another year, you know? Yeah. And so I did aesthetics. It only took like five to six months. And then after that, you know, getting your license. And then right after I got my license, I actually ended up working at the Benefit Brow Bar in Mission Viejo and like in Fashion Island. Yeah. And I was there for a while, and the woman who was doing my mom's lashes and my sister's lashes, she asked me, like, hey, I want to open up a space. Do you want to rent with me? And I was like, Yeah, of course. And so I was at the brow bar five days a week, and then I was lashing on my other two days. Wow. Until eventually it was like, okay, you know, um, can't be working at the brow bar anymore.
SPEAKER_01And then Yeah, you were making money for someone else.
SPEAKER_00Exactly. And then you just look at your paychecks after, like, oh my goodness, I just worked 40 hours a week and then I only made this much, you know?
SPEAKER_01Yeah. So what gave you that first push to just do it on your own? Was it seeing your paycheck and you're like, nah.
SPEAKER_00Exactly. See my paycheck, and then I'm like, yeah, no, I can be lashing for two days and make as much as I made working for four or five days that week, you know? So I'm like, yeah, that's I don't need to do that. And then also working for somebody else, the schedule, right? And taking care of my parents, it was hard because I had work, but then I also had to take them to doctor's appointments, you know, different things. I had to be home to make sure food was taken care of and do grocery shopping and do all the things. And so I'm like, I need the flexibility, and working for somebody else is not giving me that flexibility.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Do you feel like you've always been like, I don't know, a caretaker, like taking care of others before yourself in that aspect?
SPEAKER_00Yes, folks. Yes, because one oldest daughter, right? And then two, being one of the oldest daughters in an Asian like family, Cambodian family. So we're always taking care of everything. Yeah. So yeah, it was very natural to take care of my parents, and then you know, even after that, everybody's like, Do you want to be a nurse? And I'm like, No, I take care of everybody all the time. I do not want to be a nurse.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah. Well, it's already feel like you're being a nurse when you're doing that at home, doing all that. So you so you got to move on. You started working with someone else, renting a space with someone else.
SPEAKER_00Yes, renting a space with her. So I was doing eyelashes, but she was also like a bridal makeup and hairstylist. So that was my first um foot in the wedding industry as well. So I was lashing and then I was doing makeup with her and assisting her.
SPEAKER_01Had you done makeup before that? No, so you learned a lot through that through a lot through her, yes.
SPEAKER_00And then at the brow bar, and that's why I decided to work there too, so I can learn my makeup skills, my retail, my customer service.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, which is a huge part of it. I mean, especially when you're dealing that close with people, exactly. So, what was your next big step? What what way did you go? What'd you do next?
SPEAKER_00After that, I mean, we were in Garden Grove and I loved it, but I also have like three other friends, and we were all off Garden Grove Boulevard. Oh, and I was like, okay, I need to move away. Okay.
SPEAKER_01So you were all like ciphering off the same clientele?
SPEAKER_00Kind of, and then I felt like it was kind of oversaturated, like you know, doing lashes in OC, like everybody was kind of doing lashes in OC. Yeah. And because really, I consider Long Beach like my home base because, you know, like high school, and I was still going there after college, and that's where my family was. And I knew that the move was to be closer to Long Beach.
SPEAKER_01Well, because Long Beach is the best.
SPEAKER_00Yes. I mean, come on, right? We have all the Cambodian food here.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00So I knew I wanted to move back to Long Beach, so then I found a space at actually like the Khmai TV studios in Bellflower. So I moved there. They had an open room for me, but I couldn't get any like business license there and stuff because it wasn't zoned right. And then I was like, you know what? I can't stay here forever. Yeah, it was great, but I can't stay here forever.
SPEAKER_01Were you developing your clientele this whole time?
SPEAKER_00I was. So I was there, and then I also had clients who owned a nail shop in Hawaiian Gardens. So I left Garden Grove and I was in Bellflower and in Hawaiian Gardens. So two locations trying to build that clientele closer to Long Beach.
SPEAKER_01Was that confusing for your clients or arch for clients to go back and forth?
SPEAKER_00Or um, no, because everybody who I had in Garden Grove kind of stayed in Garden Grove. Uh not Garden Grove, Hawaiian Gardens. Um, but yeah, then they said they they didn't mind, so then I'm like, okay, so then why don't I let Hawaiian Gardens go? And they were okay with the move. So yeah, it wasn't too confusing.
SPEAKER_01What time was this? Like when was this year-wise?
SPEAKER_00What year was this? I want to say maybe 2018.
SPEAKER_01Wow. So you've been you've been in this industry for about a decade. Yes. So that that explains your clientele and that you have people coming to you and trusting you in that. So your next big step after those two, you consolidated?
SPEAKER_00Consolidated, yes. So now I'm like, okay, I need to move to Long Beach because I keep coming out here anyway.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00You know, and then I moved in with, you know, my husband's family, and and we were in Long Beach, and I'm like, okay, I can't keep making the drive, you know, like I need something closer. Everybody's coming from Long Beach or even like further South Bay, so what can we do? And then I toured a space in in downtown Long Beach, and um, it was nice. I really liked it, but they had some weird, like, you know, some weird things they wanted me to do before I even got access to the space. And I'm like, uh, I don't know. Not scammy, but like the girl said, okay, you can have this space, it's only you know, this much per month, but you have to buy everything else in here for 3,000. And I was like, but I don't need your stuff.
SPEAKER_01So it was like taking over an existing business.
SPEAKER_00Yes, but I was like, I don't want that. And she's like, well, you can sell it. And I'm like, well, why don't you sell it? And then that's what she was trying to do to you, you know, and uh, and she's like, no, and I'm like, like, why not? You know, but anyway, so which is funny because actually my friend ended up taking it over and buying everything buying stuff, yeah. But I was like, no, but you know what really stood out to me in that space was a brick wall. Okay. Something need to find something. I really wanted that space, but my mom said, no, just wait, something else will come, okay? I was on Google, and then that's when I found Fate Studios.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, just trust fate.
SPEAKER_00It was fate, you know, and and I found that brick wall in the photo, and I was like, okay, I need the brick wall.
SPEAKER_01Well I fought so hard for it.
SPEAKER_00I fought so and I was like, I want it. I don't know why, but I want a brick wall in there.
SPEAKER_01Well, that was right after COVID.
SPEAKER_00Right after COVID, yes.
SPEAKER_01So did you take a pause during COVID because you weren't allowed to do it?
SPEAKER_00I did take a pause too because I was pregnant.
SPEAKER_01Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00So I got pregnant. And then yeah, COVID happened, the world shut down, which I was like, great. It's kind of like perfect timing. Perfect timing. I was like, wow, the universe on YouTube the universe is really listening to me.
SPEAKER_01But you didn't really wait too long after COVID.
SPEAKER_00Like, I didn't.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, you had the baby.
SPEAKER_00I had the baby, and then I went back to work like two, two and a half months after.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, well, you had COVID when you had the baby.
SPEAKER_00Oh, I had COVID when I had the baby, and I was hospitalized for two weeks during COVID.
SPEAKER_01It was a force rest.
SPEAKER_00Yes, it was a force rest. And so after that, I was like, I don't want to talk to anybody. Yeah, like don't I don't want to see anybody, I don't want to talk to anybody.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Because I vividly remember that first time you came in to the to the studio because everyone wanted to know. Like we were so we're so protective over our space. Like everyone's like, Oh, who's coming in? Who's coming in? And when you came in and you did the tour, and then you left, and this is behind the scenes. We're all we all kind of like nodded at each other, like, yeah, she she'll she'll do, she'll do, she'll fit right in here. Because we are, we're we're we're protective over the space in its uh openness and its uh community, and so when we invite people in, it was like really important that we got along. Exactly, which is important. So you started at Fate, and all those clients came to Fate, all those clients came to Fate, and everybody loves Fate.
SPEAKER_00When they came there, they're like, Wow, this is so nice compared to your other you know, my other place was nice inside, but the outside was a little sketchy, right? So everybody was like, Wow, Cal Heights, they love the neighborhood, they love the space, so beautifully decorated, everybody's so nice, and so everybody came to Fate and they love it.
SPEAKER_01So, why why lashes? Like, why of all things for you is it is it something that drives you? Why, why doing the lashes?
SPEAKER_00I think because at that time, like when I my first intro to lashes, I didn't wear any makeup, you know? And so the first thing I did, you know, high school, you're wearing like mascara. You were that girl, okay? If you wore some mascara at some eyeliner, and then in college, I'm like, okay, let me try some lashes. And then it was a game changer. Once I had lashes on, I'm like, oh my gosh, I I can do anything, I can call her the world right now because it just helps your eyes pop, right? And it kind of goes back into my name, like draped by Lala. So, you know, they say eyes are the windows to the soul, yeah, and lashes are the drapes. Oh, I got you. And so that's how I got draped by Lala because everybody's like lashed by lashed by Lala. Everybody was like, Lashes by Lala. And I'm like, no.
SPEAKER_01Two on the nose.
SPEAKER_00Two on the nose. I'm like, no. You wanted something a little more creative, yes, a little bit more creative, and because I love lashes, like I love the way I feel when I have them on, and so I want other women to feel that too because people people don't know, and you know, it's not like you're doing a full face every day, it's just a little something, a little something, and it changes you so much, and it changes the way you feel about yourself.
SPEAKER_01I don't know. See, as someone, I mean, like me, I never never thought about lashes, but it has always been there in the idea that whenever someone would see my lashes, like my wife or someone, she'd be jealous of my lashes, and I never understood that. Like, you got such long lashes. Or when they see now my son, it's like, look at those eyelashes. I never thought anything of it. But after seeing you do work and seeing people come out, I can totally see the difference. Almost to the fact that people look more awake. They look more awake, they look uh it's like instantly happier from the nose up. And um, I think that does a lot for people's you know, their their ego, it does a lot for how they feel about themselves. In the world full of filters, yes, and social media filters and all that stuff, what you do for people, how do you make how do you feel about making them feel so much better?
SPEAKER_00It makes me feel great because sometimes when people come in, a lot of the times they're they're not feeling good about themselves, right? Like they're going through things, and I always ask, why are you here today? Like, why did you decide to get lashes? And you know, the most common answer is like, I want to start taking better care of myself. I want to feel better about myself. And I'm like, okay, girl, I got you. And so being able to be a part of their journey, like just that one little step to help them feel better about themselves, it makes me feel so good. It makes me feel good, you know? It's like me putting a brand new set of lashes on myself because they wake up and they're totally, you know, they're totally different. Like their confidence is up. Yeah, they look more awake, so they feel better. They're like, wow, I don't, I don't have small eyes, or like, wow, I'm not as tired as I thought I was, you know? And so it it just makes me feel amazing. And you know, going back to how my parents felt, whenever they, you know, felt good, you you know, when you look good, you feel good, and then you do good.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. So yeah, so it's self-care.
SPEAKER_00Self-care.
SPEAKER_01And you get to give people that self-care, however, you know, they come in every couple weeks, yes, right? And they get that self-care, and it seems like the most relaxing thing because you got the air purifier going in there, you got your music going, they're laying down, they're relaxing, and they're getting this done. Have you had clients fall asleep?
SPEAKER_00Most of my clients fall asleep, most of your clients, and it's it's not not just uh most of them, and a lot of my new clients are always nervous because they don't want to fall asleep, like they almost don't want to be rude. Yeah, and I can tell that they're fighting their sleep, right? Because then they're like, try to start conversation again, you know, because when it's quiet, people always want to feel the silence, right? Yeah, and then I always have to reach like it's okay. Honestly, it's better if you fall asleep because that lets me know that my hands are like soft, soft pressure, so I'm not hurting you. Yeah, but then also when you're more relaxed, you're able to uh fully enjoy the experience. Like, this is self-care. So not only are you gonna wake up feeling beautiful with some brand new eyelashes, uh-huh, but you also got a nap that you know, as adults, it's so hard for us to get a nap. Like, when's the last time you took a nap?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I don't think I've taken a nap in years.
SPEAKER_00Exactly.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, but does it help you that they fall asleep?
SPEAKER_00It does help me. It helps me as long as they don't um twitch.
SPEAKER_01Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. But I'm I'm a twitchy sleeper, so yeah, I'd be at that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, but other than that, I mean, you know, my only twitchy clients are really like my cousins, and then I have to force them to stay awake. But other than that, everybody's pretty good, you know. When once you're like nice and relaxed in a deep sleep, you don't move, and it's easier for me to like move your head the way I need to.
SPEAKER_01So being in business and kind of learning the ropes, can you can you give me a learning experience that you've had in the process from start to finish? Like, do you have a moment where you're like, oh man, I gotta do that, or or something you missed?
SPEAKER_00Yes, I think you know what, there's like the internet is great, but there's so much information on there. And I just wish more like business owners, especially in the beauty industry, I wish we all didn't gatekeep, right? It's always like, yeah, be your own boss and you know, rent a space and do other things, but really what do we need to do? So I think nobody, you know, when I'm asking people what I need to do, nobody really had the answers until it was, you know, the city coming by and they're like, Do you have this? And I'm like, Oh, I need my business license. I'm like, I thought I had my LLC. They're like, No, they're different. Yeah, but I'm like, oh, well, everybody's pushing, you know, the LLC and nobody said this. And yeah, I didn't know there were two different things. Yeah, you know, but I also think a lot of us don't know that there's two different things or all these things we need to do. And the people who do know, they want to gatekeep it or they want to sell you a course.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. You know, I'll tell you the course so you know exactly what to do. Yeah. I I find all industry gatekeeps, I mean the photography industry 100% gatekeeps. They want to keep all their secrets for themselves, or they want to sell you a course. So it's a similar thing. If someone were to come to you today and be like, I want to start a Brown Lash business, like what advice would you give them?
SPEAKER_00I would say start practicing today, at least a few hours every day, and see if you actually really like it. Because people think they do want to do it because people think the beauty industry is like fast money. So everybody wants to start a side hustle and get into lashes and brows. But actually do it and work on people and see if you like that because that is gonna make or break you.
SPEAKER_01You you know you are so close to people, I I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it.
SPEAKER_00Exactly.
SPEAKER_01You're like on them, like like you are you're inches from their face.
SPEAKER_00Inches from their face. Like I know breakfast.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I like people, but I don't like them that much. Like that's that's intense. So you have to have a bond with your club.
SPEAKER_00You have to, and people people come to beauty school because that's what they think they want to do. And then after, there's like, I'm telling you, less than a handful of people in your class that actually stay in the beauty industry because they go out in the field, they do it, and then they realize they don't even like it. So before you want to like cover it. Like make the money, make the money, they think it's fast money, right? Because people see, like, oh, this high hairstylist makes this much money, this last artist makes this much money. I can do that, but then you never really tried it. You don't really have the customer service skills, maybe. You know, you don't have your time management skills, you don't have all these other things that go into a business, yeah. And then they do it, and they're like, actually, I hate it. And like, you know what? I like doing it, but I hate people. Well, you can't hate people, yeah, and be in the service industry, and be in the service industry. Yeah, but a lot of people I meet in beauty schools and you know, trainings and stuff, they think they want to do it, and then but it's not fast money. It's not fast money, and that's what everybody thinks.
SPEAKER_01It's hours, like you're literally in there hours, and I hate to say it, it's like the most it looks like the most uncomfortable ergonomic position. You are literally hunched over people working for hours on end with most of the time no break. Like you exactly you maybe use the restaurant, get a drink, and you go back in there. Exactly. So to me, that does not look like fast money. It definitely doesn't look like easy money. So, you as a business owner, how do you market yourself? Because it's you like you said when you were in Garden Group, there are four people on the block, three people on the block doing the same thing. I know a friend of ours has her shop right down, like two doors down. How do you market yourself and differentiate yourself from other lash ground people?
SPEAKER_00So I do market myself as a natural lash artist. So even if you look on my Instagram, a lot of my clients, a lot of my work, it's all very natural because I feel like you only need to enhance your natural features. I don't over, I don't ever want to overwhelm your features, you know, not to bash on any other like lash artists or whatever. But if you have eyelashes, you should be able to open your eyes.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Right. And a lot of people are scared because you know they they think it hurts, they don't want to look like this or that. But I always tell people that I want to enhance your natural features, and I want to make sure that whatever style I do for you is going to go with your lifestyle. Everybody has a different lifestyle. So we're talking about your lifestyle, we're talking about your features, and then, you know, when I go out in public, that's how I market myself too. I don't ever have anything super dramatic on my face. I don't even ever have a super dramatic makeup look, you know, and so I feel like I'm also my best marketing, you know, I'm my best billboard when I'm going out there. Yeah, I'm complimenting people and their natural features, and then I'm like, hey, you have great eyes, you know, will agree with that? Some eyelashes.
SPEAKER_01So your marketing is pretty much like word of mouth and you, so you're not doing anything external that could promote you on Instagram.
SPEAKER_00A lot of my I mean, I've been on Instagram more, I feel like, and just kind of putting my name out there.
SPEAKER_01I think social media is like huge right now. Social media, but right now if you don't do social media, you're missing out on a huge network.
SPEAKER_00Yes, you are, and TikTok. TikTok did great for me.
SPEAKER_01So hard for me. So hard for me. I love TikTok. It's just so hard for me to post on multiple platforms. I'm in a visual industry, you're in a visual industry. It's like for me, I'm like, you could, it's a full-time job.
SPEAKER_00It is a full-time job. And then when we're so busy actually working in your business, I'm like, dude, I gotta I gotta make a video for TikTok.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, how is that with your clients though? Like, are you how how is that asked? Is it weird to be like, hey, can I film this?
SPEAKER_00Yes, but my ta my clients they love it. They're like, Yeah, of course, you know, so everybody's okay with it. And my clients love that I've actually been making more content, yeah. But my clients don't really even care about seeing like my the before and afters, they just want to see me on there, me talking. Yeah, so I'm like, oh, okay. So what I'm noticing now too is people don't really care too much about your work. Of course, your work is gonna be has to be good, but they also want to know who you are as an individual and are they gonna be comfortable laying on your lash bed for a couple hours?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, how long does it does it take a couple hours?
SPEAKER_00It does. So the first time with me, it will probably take about two to two and a half hours. Wow. And then after that, an hour and a half.
SPEAKER_01Why?
SPEAKER_00Because you're just filling in because I'm filling in the second time, yeah.
SPEAKER_01Okay, so it's whatever just you know falls.
SPEAKER_00Whatever fell out.
SPEAKER_01Wow. So tell me about the process. What's your process from start to finish for the client?
SPEAKER_00So what lash extensions or lash lifts?
SPEAKER_01Let's let's say what's the what's the new thing now?
SPEAKER_00My new thing now is the lash lifts. So that's basically an a perm for your eyelashes. Okay. So when clients come in, I always ask them, how did you find me? Right? How did you find me and what's your goal today? What's the occasion? Yeah. Okay, just so I know too, if they want something very natural or very dramatic. Okay. Once they come in, I offer them, you know, a water, a snack, and then I analyze their eyes, look at their eye shape, and then their features on their face, you know, how much lid space do we have there? Um, if there's a big lid space, okay, maybe I can do a very dramatic curl. If they don't have a lot of lid space, then maybe a softer curl. Yeah. And then also, too, I always ask clients, how's their lifestyle? Is this something that you're gonna be able to maintain? Like, do you want to come in every few weeks? Or is this something like a lash lift that, yeah, it's you only need to come in every two months? Sometimes that's a make it or break it. People come in for extensions and then, like, oh, I need to come in every two weeks. Actually, no, let's not do that. Oh, and then okay, let's do a lash lift.
SPEAKER_01So it's a lifestyle when it comes to something like that.
SPEAKER_00Lifestyle. But it saves them from doing like their eye makeup almost every day, and putting on strip lashes every day, you know. Sometimes that takes a while.
SPEAKER_01So you gotta weigh it that way.
SPEAKER_00Having the raccoon eyes from your mascara.
SPEAKER_01Oh boy, yeah. See, I'm glad I never have to experience that. See, that would be horrible for me. Okay, so tell me, uh, tell me a horror story. What's the time where someone's laid in your lash pad and you're just like, dear God?
SPEAKER_00Okay, so you don't have to say names. I don't want to throw anyone under the bus, but but I'm pretty sure she'll know once she hears the story.
SPEAKER_01Uh-oh. Uh-uh.
SPEAKER_00So I guess it was, yeah, like horror story and my my craziest story. So, you know, it was gonna be a full set. So I blocked off the time for like two and a half hours, two and a half, almost three hours. And then she was an hour late. Oh, I'm like, all right, I'm only gonna fill in whatever we have time for, right? Like, I so then we did that, but then the work prior, it was so bad, and I'm like, oh my gosh. Okay, she went somewhere else. She went somewhere else. Uh so you were gonna So I was this is like considered a foreign fill. So when you're working over somebody else's work, uh-huh, but our initial goal was I was going to remove everything and then apply mine. But since she was an hour late, I said, we don't have time for that. I can only fill in. Yeah. But her lashes were very thin, a very sparse lash line, so she doesn't have a lot of natural lashes. And what was on there was super thick. So I'm like, uh, it's super thick.
SPEAKER_01Um so it didn't match her existing eyelashes. Is it a past text problem?
SPEAKER_00Yes, and because if the extensions are too thick, it's gonna weigh down on your natural lash, and then it's gonna cause you to have premature fallout. So your lashes are going to fall out, and that's why she doesn't have a lot of natural lashes left.
SPEAKER_01Oh my gosh.
SPEAKER_00Right? And so her last artist was trying to apply more to make it look fuller, but her lashes can't handle that. Yeah, but not only that, they they weren't clean, so it's like I have to spend all this time cleaning it.
SPEAKER_01Oh, I wish people would see my face right now. Like, I have a fish, I have an issue. Like, I my wife worshed contacts, I can't wash her put in the contact. Like, God forbid my sight goes as a photographer, one, but two, that I'd have to touch my eye. That stuff, oh, I can't.
SPEAKER_00And and a lot of OG lash clients, people they weren't told to wash their lashes or how to wash their lashes, right? Yeah, so she wasn't washing, you know, when you wake up with gunk in your eyes, eye buggers, eye boogers on top of thick eyelash extensions, also on top of makeup, right? Makeup is on there too. And I'm like, girl, so it took us forever to clean it, and then she gets a call from her baby daddy. Oh no. And then she's like, I'm supposed to be at Home Depot right now. I'm like, girl, what? So, so she's like calling him there on FaceTime and he's like, Hey, are you still there? She's like, Yeah, I'm here. He's like, Okay, well, can you ask them how much um, you know, this item is? And she's like, Okay, I'll call you back. He's like, Why do you need to call me back? Just tell me. And she's like, because I'm gonna, he's like, ask, I'm on the phone right now. Oh no. And then she's like, and then so she's like putting it, yes. So I'm like, so then I'm on my phone looking it up. Her eyes are closed, and I'm like, $7.99. And she's like, what? I'm like, $7.99. And then she's like $7.99. He's like, who is that whispering?
SPEAKER_01That's hilarious.
SPEAKER_00And I was that and it would, and then you know, then they're all made. Into her lie. It's I'm a girl's girl. I was there, right?
SPEAKER_01Oh my god.
SPEAKER_00I was like, yeah, and so he's like, oh my goodness, you know, and then they started. I'm like, oh brother, like, she's like, are we almost done? I'm like, hell.
SPEAKER_01We're not even done walking.
SPEAKER_00We just started, and and so you know, he calls back, he's like, When are you gonna be home? She's like, I'm on my way home. Mind you, she drove over an hour to get to me.
SPEAKER_01I'm like, Jeez, yeah.
SPEAKER_00So, anyways, I I that's still a client? It's still no, not anymore. That was like our last appointment.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, okay. Well, tell me about that. Like, how do you fire someone?
SPEAKER_00So then the next time she wanted to come in, I was like, Oh, you know, I'm not available. Here's you know, and so she went to somebody else, one of my other friends. And it's so funny because my friend You did that to your friend. I didn't think she was actually gonna go because she lives over an hour away. I'm like, you don't have people in the IE? She's like, you know? I'm like, why would you come here?
SPEAKER_01Now we're pinning it down. We know she lives further south, an hour away. Right. See, uh oh, uh-oh. We're gonna go.
SPEAKER_00We're gonna help you wash your face, you know, and and no, but what's funny is because then she like lashed, you know, she went to my other friend's place, and then my friend messaged me and was like, Girl, is this your client? Oh no. She's like, Yeah, she's here right now. I was like, Oh my goodness, what's going on? She's like, she was over an hour late. And I was like, Okay.
SPEAKER_01So she leaves her house when she's supposed to be there.
SPEAKER_00Yes. Oh see, that's yeah, and it's different, like 10 minutes, all right. You know, like, all right, everybody has a little 10-15 minute grace, but over an hour, and they're like, Well, we have the time because we gave her time for a full set.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, but that's the disrespect, right? Like, as a vendor to a client relationship, respect your people, especially when they're doing something that's so personal to you. Yeah, yeah, I think that's crazy. Yeah, it's in all industries, right? In all industries, I just think it's more personal when it's what I want. Yes, it's like I almost take that as an attack. Like, like you know, I'm personally waiting for you, and that makes it difficult.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and then not only that, like if you come late, like okay, but then make everything else easy for me. Yeah, you know what I mean? So that I don't have to kill all this time trying to like yeah, don't be on your phone. Don't be on your phone now, don't be calling your man, and then don't be like, oh now you gotta go clean your lashes and gotta do it. I'm like, girl, now, now like we're ready to work. You gotta come in and we gotta we gotta we gotta knock it out, you know?
SPEAKER_01So what's the goal now? So you you got your established, you're running your business, it's doing well. Um, I see people coming and going all the time. What is the goal now?
SPEAKER_00My goal now is to work less, which I I did. I did consolidate my days, and yeah, work smarter, not harder, right? Yeah, and so I can consolidate my days a little bit, and then you know, eventually I want to start having other people maybe sublease with me.
SPEAKER_01You know, if their vibe matches our vibe, so that space is making money when you're not in it.
SPEAKER_00Exactly. And then also, too, for my clients, if I'm not able to take them in, you know, refer them to whoever's in my space, yeah. And to kind of train somebody to to produce the same work that I do, so that if I'm not there, my studio is still, yeah, being able to make money while I'm not there, and still producing at that quality. And still producing at that quality, yes.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and we've noticed that even the fair departments doesn't have run with the people, but they they melt with the crew and they uh they're producing similar, if not uh on par work, right?
SPEAKER_00Yes, yeah.
SPEAKER_01So overall, do you think you just wanna eventually just be the business owner and step back from the actual flashing itself? Or do you actually still enjoy the process?
SPEAKER_00I still enjoy the process because I still love learning, like learning new techniques and you know, working with clients. I love seeing my clients. And but I do, yes, I mean, I don't feel like right now I want to be, you know, the business owner and have other people working for me. Right now, I'm okay with still working on clients. Yeah, I think maybe in like a couple years, yes. You know, when I'm a little bit older, and then like, you know, maybe when I pop out, maybe number three, yes. Three, number three, yes. But right now, um, I'm okay. I I like working on my clients, I like seeing my clients and it kind of gives me a break away from you know home.
SPEAKER_01And yeah, yeah, it's like uh it's a social break.
SPEAKER_00Social break, yes. Yeah, because these are these are my girlfriends, I see them every few weeks.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and you're not talking to the to the four or five-year-old, you're talking to an adult. Yeah, that always helps. Yeah. So if someone if someone were to say, hey, I want to get in the lash business right now, what advice would you give them?
SPEAKER_00Go to school. Go to school, make sure you get your license. Because you know, even if you start lashing and making all this money, that's great, but you're gonna have to backtrack and go to school. Yeah. So regardless, you need to go to school. And even though I just went to aesthetics, I say just go to cosmetology school.
SPEAKER_01Just get it done.
SPEAKER_00Just get it done because I went to aesthetic school and then, you know, seven years later, then I went back for cosmetology school.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, you had to do it anyway.
SPEAKER_00I had to do it anyway. So if you want to get into lashes or just the beauty industry, I would say the first thing you need to do is go to school and get your license. Because when you go to school, you're exposed to different things, you know, and you think you want to do lashes, but hey, you might really like hair, or you really might like waxing, but you need to have your license. Like that's the bare minimum. Yeah, because they'll shut you down, they'll shut you down, and also you can't work anywhere if you don't have your license. Yeah, you can't work for anybody, you know, and you'll be stuck working at home, but your business can only grow so much when you're working from home.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Because you're not gonna allow strangers into your house. You can only do so much marketing because it's at your house, you know. So the first thing people are an iffy, iffy thing.
SPEAKER_01Um, and it's a lot of liability. You don't want to put that on yourself.
SPEAKER_00Exactly.
SPEAKER_01That's it. Can you tell me a time where you've actually seen a transformation in somebody where they've actually come in feeling one way, looking one way, and then just left completely changed?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so one of my clients, she is a mom, a mom of three. Wow, and you know, and her kids are like all under what, like six, seven or five. So she has a lot of littles. Yeah, and she always, you know, she's and she's a nurse and she's tired, and her husband's a firefighter, so most of the time she's like single moming it, you know? And so when she comes in, she's always feeling so down and just you know, kind of like really tired and down. And then we're doing this whole vent sesh, and then when she wakes up and the lashes on, she's like, oh my gosh, you know, almost teary-eyed because she's like, Oh my gosh, I finally feel like me again.
SPEAKER_01Oh, that's that's cool.
SPEAKER_00You know, and I love that because as a mom, I know what it feels like. Sometimes you get so sucked into like being a mom, a wife, and you know, a caretaker for everybody in your house, you kind of forget about yourself.
SPEAKER_01I think that's true. I think that's that's really hard. Um, because you wear so many hats as a mom, right?
SPEAKER_00Yes.
SPEAKER_01You're a mom, you're a wife, you're a business owner. When do you get to be Lala?
SPEAKER_00When?
SPEAKER_01When do I get to be Lala? You know what? I you provide that for people. That's incredible. Uh on a on so many levels. Because if we're not feeling like ourselves, we're not acting like ourselves. We're just going through the motions. I think that's really important. It's something that most people would think is so simple. Really, really makes a difference and it makes an impact. Um being that we are in Long Beach, how much do you think Long Beach plays a role in who you and your business are?
SPEAKER_00You know, Long Beach plays a huge role because the beautiful thing about Long Beach is we are one of the most diverse cities, you know? And that's why I love Long Beach because we're not OC and we're not LA, right? And we get all types of people. And I love that my clientele is just as diverse.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00And I love, you know, that I have people coming in that went to the same, you know, middle school or high school as me, and then we have things to build on, or they grew up in this neighborhood and we have things to build on. So I love being from a like working in a place that I also consider my home base. Yeah. You know, and because I love Long Beach, and there's so many beautiful parts of Long Beach. Yeah. And uh, you know, I want that. And I want to bring like a luxury, you know, lash service to Long Beach because we don't have enough of that, or we don't have enough light on those kind of services here. You know, people think that if they want to have like beauty businesses, they have to go to LA, or they have to go to OC. And it's like, no, we got that right here at home.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, they don't understand that the uh quality here is so great. They don't understand that we choose to be here and not go to LA because we don't want to be that that scene. We provide this for people here because the people here are so specifically Long Beach that it's uh pretty spectacular.
SPEAKER_00Yes, and it's it's important to me that everybody that comes in feels comfortable and safe and at home. Yeah, you know, because they're like, wow, you're so like I feel yeah, I feel at home. Like, you know, it's in Long Beach, it's in my neighborhood. I can just come and be myself.
SPEAKER_01What is it about about the space that makes that possible?
SPEAKER_00I think, you know, of course, like the atmosphere, it's so beautifully and aesthetically pleasing, but also everybody else that's in our space. You know, when somebody walks in, who no matter who's in the front, everybody's like, hey, hi, like, who are you here for, you know? And everybody's so welcoming here, and I think we are in a beautiful neighborhood too. That really helps because people feel safe before they even come into our door.
SPEAKER_01Like the moment they reach the neighborhood.
SPEAKER_00The moment they reach our neighborhood, and and then coming inside my room, I think, you know, with my little like, you know, it's a little dim in there, whatever, with my little neon sign. Feels relaxing. Feels relaxing. And that brick wall, and that beautiful brick wall, and you know, maybe a little candle on or a little a little aromatherapy going on there, and it really makes people feel comfortable. Like, okay, sometimes people are a little nervous getting a beauty service because maybe they've never got it done, or they don't see it. It's so vulnerable. You're like, so vulnerable with your eyes closed, yeah. And so when they come in, they're able to like drop their shoulders a bit because they're like, oh, okay. Yeah, the space feels safe, the the space feels comfortable and it feels like at home, and that's important, especially in the industry, which is it's pretty incredible.
SPEAKER_01So being in this city, and I always ask people this uh what are three businesses in Long Beach, in your opinion, that are worth the drive?
SPEAKER_00Three businesses? Well, I'm biased.
SPEAKER_01You yeah, you know, three businesses you could shout out that you think need the shout-out, that you think would appreciate the shout-out and are worth the drive.
SPEAKER_00Three businesses here. Um, okay, well, one, of course, Faith Studios collective. Everybody in here, everybody in here like genuinely cares about their work and cares about everybody they work with, okay. And then let me see. So that's that'll be one, even though that's a handful of us, but that's one, okay? So our big collective. Business number two, I would say um is my friend here at Bex Brows. Yeah, she does permanent makeup and like brows, and she is great because her work actually lasts because I see her clients, and it actually lasts a really long time. Sometimes permanent makeup is a little tricky because color fades.
SPEAKER_01That's a tattoo, right?
SPEAKER_00Tattoo. Wow. And you know, some people have like green brows, and like, you know, when it fades over time, old school, right?
SPEAKER_01Tattoos, yeah.
SPEAKER_00But Bex Brows, right here on Wardlow, like her work is consistently good. And even years after, I compliment people and they're like, oh, I went to Vex Brows. So I refer all of my clients and anybody who wants permanent makeup, permanent brows, you need to go to Vex Brows because she's she knows what she's doing. And shout out, she's a fellow mom and business owner too. So I love supporting moms. Business owners. Love it.
SPEAKER_01Love it.
SPEAKER_00And then number three in Long Beach. Okay, I'm gonna do a shout-out for a Cambodian restaurant because being Cambodian, we're here by Cambodia Town. People always ask me. You have to, have to, have to go to Opsada Cafe. It is on Anaheim and Cherry, I believe. So there's like a Bank of America. Yeah. And they're like across the street in that Metro PCS Plaza. They have authentic Cambodians.
SPEAKER_01So what's your go-to dish there?
SPEAKER_00My go-to dish is the steak and anchovy sauce.
SPEAKER_01Uh-huh.
SPEAKER_00And also their papaya salad. Oh yeah. I love papaya salad.
SPEAKER_01Everyone claims papaya salad.
SPEAKER_00Okay, because papaya salad, Cambodians have it, Thai has has it, Laos has it. And you know, it's like so depending on where you go, everybody kind of has like a different fusion.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00And Uppsada Cafe is my favorite.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_00I feel like it's a it's maybe like a Tai Lao fusion. And I love it. It's so good in their anchovy sauce. It's so thick. Like if you know, you know, if you eat anchovy sauce.
SPEAKER_01And I'm not allowed to. I love it. And I've eaten anchovies since I was a kid. And I love it. Too fishy. My my wife will not allow it. It's too fishy, yes. Yeah, you've you faced her wrath. I did. I'd like to lose the fish, which is hilarious to me. Right.
SPEAKER_00So if you're coming to Fade Studios, please do not bring any cooked fish over there, okay?
SPEAKER_01Raw fish is fine.
SPEAKER_00Raw fish, you can't smell it. But cooked fish, don't. I think I'd like, I think I had just finished eating it too, right? Or she smelled it. Oh, she could tell. She could tell.
SPEAKER_01She could tell. So what made all of the effort and everything you've done to start your business worth the internal drive?
SPEAKER_00What makes it all worth it? You know what? Of course, my kids.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00But also, I think like my nieces and nephews. You know, um, we don't have a lot of, I don't think anybody else in my business, I mean my business in my family has like their own business. And my niece and nephews, it's so cute, and you know, my daughter too, that they ask me to work with me, you know, or like, wait, Auntie Lala, you work for yourself? Like, wait, you don't have a boss? Wait, I want to work with you. That really drives me because it lets them know that the possibility is there. It's motivation, it's motivation for them. And then they're like, Auntie Lala, I want to have my business. Like, can you help me design a logo? Like, I wanna I want to make clothes. And I'm like, okay, let's do it. You know, so I love it because I don't think so.
SPEAKER_01That upward mobility has now been seen that it's a potential and possibility in your family.
SPEAKER_00Yes. So for me, I'm like, I don't really even care about for me, but creating the opportunities that my niece and my nephews and my kids like can help help me grow. And you know, that's why I'm my passion project coming up. It's because my nephew was like, I want to work with you. What can I do? I'm like, what do you want to do? He's like, I don't know. I want to be your cashier. I'm like, my cashier. I mean, he's like, Yeah, other people have like, you know, my other cousins have worked with you. I like I'm gonna work with you now. I'm like, oh, okay. So I thought, how can I create an opportunity for my niece and nephews to help me and to work? Because I didn't know that they wanted to, but for him to ask me, I was like, oh, so you guys are paying attention to what I'm doing, what the adults around you are doing. Yeah, and that was really a fire up my butt. Like, okay, I'm gonna do that.
SPEAKER_01How'd that make you feel? That's pretty, that's kind of that's pretty awesome. That maybe can be motivation.
SPEAKER_00Because you know, I think every day you're just I just feel like, you know, I'm I'm a regular person, right? Doing regular things, like whatever. I didn't think that my nieces and nephews pay attention. Yeah, but for him to ask me, I was like, wow, he really sees that I'm doing something, something of importance because he wants to be involved.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00So yeah, it made me feel amazing and like, wow, there really is a microscope on me, even when I don't know that there is, or when I don't feel like it.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, people are always watching, right?
SPEAKER_00People are always, and especially the little ones.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Because you know, they're our future, right?
SPEAKER_01And well, I mean, it goes to show that all good work is good work, right? Because if you're motivating or making an impact on people, um, that helps you as a business because your your work and your name and everything is out there, but it also helps everyone around you. Yes, right. What and this is more of a macro level, what what gets you out of bed every day?
SPEAKER_00What gets me out of bed every day is being able to come into work and make other people feel good, make women feel good about themselves. Um, not just women, anybody coming into my space, but making individuals feel good and comfortable in their own skin. Yeah. And not feeling like they need to change themselves so much in order to feel great about themselves.
SPEAKER_01That's an issue in the world as a whole right now, right? And like we mentioned a little bit about social media and like the filter culture.
SPEAKER_00Filter culture. Then you feel like you need to get fillers, you feel like you need to get surgery, you feel like you need to do all these things. Just because of what you're viewing, just because of what you're viewing, but you don't need that.
SPEAKER_01No, you don't. And the funny thing is, if you ask a lot of men, and this is from an outside standpoint, you really don't need any of that. Yes, like we're very simple beasts. Um, and I think a lot of it can be done for self. Because I think, yeah, if you want to do it for yourself to make yourself feel better, it's gonna make you feel better and turn act better and be a better person, sure. But beauty's in the eye of the beholder, and I think we need to avoid social media in the aspect of our beauty trends because like you say, you do a natural, right? Yes, that's because it's natural, and that's because what you and I find beautiful is natural.
SPEAKER_00Natural.
SPEAKER_01How do you cater to people that do you do those lashes that are natural?
SPEAKER_00I do, but you know, I like to be very transparent with my clients. Like, okay, I can give you this dramatic look, but just know that here are the cons, you know, that they might fall out a lot faster, they might cause damage to your lashes.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00You know, it's gonna overwhelm your eyes a bit, it's gonna make your eyes look a little bit smaller, and then if they say yeah, they still want to go for it, then okay, let's go for it. But at least I was open with you and you know what to expect.
SPEAKER_01So you're the trusted advisor when it comes to situations and things like that. And if they listen to you, great. If not, it's on you out of a situation.
SPEAKER_00Yes, yeah, and I think it's really important to be transparent with your clients because you don't want to sell them false hope.
SPEAKER_01No, I'm not gonna make you look like a I'm not gonna make you look totally different. Yeah, you're not gonna look like a model, it's not gonna change your weight, it's not gonna change your height.
SPEAKER_00Exactly.
SPEAKER_01It's gonna change the aesthetic. That's it.
SPEAKER_00That's it, and just a little bit, yeah, just a little bit for you to notice, but it's not gonna full and it'll change your confidence. It'll change your confidence for sure.
SPEAKER_01Awesome. Well, thanks for being on today, Lala. I think people have a question from you. And I think how before we we leave here, as I backed into the stall here, how do people get a hold of you? How do people book you? How do people become a client of yours? Because I know you have uh very limited time, and how how would they get a hold of you?
SPEAKER_00So follow me on Instagram at draped by lala, D-R-A-P-E-D by Lala. And once you're on there, look at my work. And if you feel like I'm your vibe, I'm the kind of artist for you, then DM me. I always like people to DM me because let's talk first. Let's talk first, let's do a consultation and see what you want, and then I can help you book the appointment. I have a booking link, but DM me first and let's talk so that we choose the best service for you and your lifestyle.
SPEAKER_01See, I like that because you're not just like any any port in the storm. You're not like just give me the business. You want to communicate with them and so you can give them the best exactly for them. Exactly. Because I think a lot of people they just uh they really do a disservice themselves just by doing math as opposed to specialized work. I think specialized work is important because that's when you get the extra money. That's when you get uh it's not just a car wash, one car after another. It's it's it's like deluxe detailing.
SPEAKER_00Exactly.
SPEAKER_01Well, thanks for joining us. Hope it was worth the drive. We'll catch you guys next time.
SPEAKER_00Bye for T.
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