5 LASH ENVY'S In Melbourne, and Growing! Founder ANGELA KENNEDY!

Susan talks to Angela Kennedy on her mindset and business strategies on how she took her lash business from the front room of her house to owning 5 clinics in Melbourne and the plan is grow Lash Envy into other states of Australia.  

Transcript

Angela’s Journey to Success

Angela Kennedy:
Thank you so much, Susan! I’m really excited to be here.

Susan:
I’m thrilled to have you! I first met Angela at Mega Success in LA last November. I was instantly drawn to her story—her presence, her energy, and the way she embodies a brand that works. Her journey is one of resilience and achievement, and I know you're going to have some incredible "aha" moments today.

So grab your pen and paper, open your mind, and let’s explore how Angela built her success.

Angela, tell us—how did it all begin?

Angela:
It started very humbly—in the front room of my two-bedroom home, while I was pregnant with my first child.

I took an eyelash extension course at a time when hardly anyone knew what lash extensions were—including me! I had never seen them before, never had them done, but I was obsessed with mascara. So anything that made lashes longer, I was instantly interested in.

I thought, This could be something I do from home while raising a family.

Little did I know what was coming next! I started by doing lashes for friends and family, and to be honest, I wasn’t very good at first. My neighbors must have thought I was a surgeon because there was this big, bright light in my front window and people lying on a bed while I worked on them!

But that’s how it all began.

The Early Hustle and Growth

Susan:
That’s incredible! I love that you started with something you were passionate about. So at what point did you realize, This isn’t just a side hustle—it’s a real business?

Angela:
At first, my goal was just to make an extra $200-$300 a week for groceries. But then I got so booked out that I realized this could go much further.

I started thinking, What if I trained someone else to do this? Then there would be two of us, and eventually three. Soon, I had three people working out of my front room.

After my son was born, it became clear that we had outgrown the space. The doorbell was constantly ringing, and I thought, I need a proper commercial space.

I found a studio above a shop—it wasn’t even a full salon, just a room. But within a few months, we were fully booked again. Then the shop downstairs became available, so I took it. Suddenly, we had a real storefront, a real team, and a real business.

The Mindset Behind Scaling a Business

Susan:
That’s a massive shift! Going from working at home to running a full-scale business requires a different mindset. Did you have prior business experience, or was this a completely new learning curve?

Angela:
This was actually my second business. Before Lash Envy, I spent ten years in direct selling and built a multi-million dollar business in my 20s.

Susan:
Wow! So you were already wired for success.

Angela:
Yes, but I never saw myself as a "salesperson"—I just talked about things I loved. Authenticity is key. You can’t sell something you don’t believe in. People will see right through you.

Balancing Business, Leadership, and Family

Susan:
Let’s talk about balance. You built Lash Envy while raising a family. What advice would you give to business owners—especially women—on balancing business and home life?

Angela:
First and foremost—choose your partner wisely.

You need support. My husband and I tag-team everything. He drops off one child, I pick up another. We juggle our schedules to make it work. If you’re doing this alone, you’ll need a solid support system—whether it’s family, friends, or paid help.

Also, I always tell my team: There is no glass ceiling here. If you’re willing to grow, I’ll create opportunities for you. Several of my former employees now own their own Lash Envy salons because I believe in growth.

The Importance of Values in Business

Susan:
That’s so powerful. Speaking of leadership, how do values shape your business?

Angela:
Values are everything. My team knows that family comes first. They know I reward hard work and create opportunities.

I also believe in owning mistakes. If something goes wrong, just tell the truth and we’ll fix it. I don’t tolerate dishonesty. My team respects that because I lead by example.

Susan:
That’s such a strong leadership trait. And if someone doesn’t align with those values?

Angela:
I address it immediately. If you don’t, the whole team sees it, and standards start slipping. You owe it to your team to hold the line.

Challenges in the Beauty Industry

Susan:
What are the biggest challenges beauty professionals face today?

Angela:

1. Letting go of control. Many salon owners struggle to step back because they think, Nobody can do it like I can. But if you don’t step off the salon floor, you can’t grow a business.
2. Lack of business skills. Many beauty professionals are creative but don’t know how to handle finances, taxes, or hiring. If you don’t fix that, stress will consume you.
3. Not managing money wisely. People spend a fortune on the perfect salon setup before they’ve even made money. My first salon had second-hand furniture and an eBay lash bed. Start small, reinvest profits, and grow smart.

The Future of Lash Envy

Susan:
Your story is inspiring! So what’s next for Lash Envy and Angela Kennedy?

Angela:
Now that my kids are older, I want to step into the public space more—sharing my journey and inspiring others. I also plan to expand beyond Melbourne and into other states.

Susan:
Are you coming to Queensland?

Angela:
It’s on the list! Now that I can travel more, it’s definitely something I’m considering.

Final Thoughts & Where to Find Angela

Susan:
Angela, this has been amazing. You’re an incredible woman, and I have so much respect for what you’ve built.

For those listening—where can they find you?

Angela:
Instagram: @AngelaKennedyOfficial
Website: lashenvymelbourne.com

Susan:
Wonderful! Thank you so much for joining us today. I look forward to seeing Lash Envy continue to thrive—and I’ll be visiting soon for some lashes!

Angela:
Thank you, Susan!