More and more women are becoming business owners. Over the last 20 years, women-owned businesses have grown by 114 percent. In the United States, there are nearly 13 million women-owned businesses.
But it isn’t always easy for women to start their own business.
Women entrepreneurs face a variety of difficulties. They face defying social expectations, the struggle to be taken seriously, and building a support network. However, it can be done.
One of those young women who defied expectations was Katie Morales.
Morales is a senior at Granite Hills High School. She balances school along with being an eyelash technician in her free time. She runs her business Lashed by Kayy, which she plans to have as a way to make extra money throughout her life.
She had always wanted to become a lash technician but was hesitant. The continuous seeing of other lash technicians on her social media platforms pushed her to start.
“Starting is the hardest part,” Morales said. “Once you have started, you won’t regret it.”
Of course, some struggles have followed. For Morales, learning to correctly do eyelashes was one. Morales learned how to do eyelashes on her own and she picked up tips on how to improve her craft on TikTok. Eventually, her business started to take off.
She suggests that others not quit and continue because things get easier as time progresses.
With time she learned that when you are doing what you love, it doesn’t feel like a job – you don’t feel forced, you don’t see it for the money, you genuinely enjoy doing what you love, she said.
Her prices are more affordable than other eyelash technicians. Other technicians can charge up to $150, but Morales’ highest price is $75. People can reach out to Morales and schedule an eyelash appointment on her Instagram @lashxkayy. Make sure to view her booking policies, which can be found on her Instagram account, in advance.
After high school, Morales plans on joining the medical field as a pediatric nurse. Morales also plans on keeping her business as a side hustle because she enjoys doing it so much.
