Meet Trailblazer Heshi Gunasekera

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heshi Gunasekera.

Heshi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
From the time I was around 14, I’ve been doing my friends’ make up. I really enjoyed doing it and they loved having me over because of that. So after a while I decided I wanted to pursue this as a profession. I went to an academy in Sri Lanka and moved here 10 years ago with my family. I attended Blaine Hair School in Malden right out of high school, and began working at local salons from the age of 17. For a while I was working 3 jobs, and over time built up a strong loyal group of customers which allowed me to branch out on my own.

Has it been a smooth road?
I certainly had some obstacles like any other story. A few years ago I had to give up all my clients and move back to Sri Lanka for personal reasons. Then deciding to move back here and start over; having to live with my parents again was no walk in the park. What got me through to this point was my faith, and perseverance. At first I didn’t even have enough clients to pay my rent, but I didn’t lose sight of my goal to have my own clients and my own business. I did whatever I had to do (including working for multiple salons and multiple jobs) until I was established enough to work solely at my salon. This is the advice I would give any other woman- don’t give up. Don’t lose sight of your dream. Instead of focusing on why you can’t make it, focus on overcoming each thing standing in your way. At the end, you will reach your dream without even knowing it.

We’d love to hear more about Heshi’s Beauty Bar.
I do a broad variety of services in the beauty industry. I started as a hairdresser, so I am skilled in hair services. Additionally due to my time in Sri Lanka, I have experience in therapeutic head massages, and facials. But these days my passion and specialization is Eye lash extensions and Eyebrow threading and Tinting. I’m most proud of providing a service that is typically overly expensive at a reasonable price- making beauty attainable to all. I think what my client’s value most about me is my interest in building close personal relationships with them, and being not just a business but a friend.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I never really had a mentor. But what has worked best for me, goes back to the previous question. I spend a lot of time getting to know my clients, and building a relationship with them. My business is built almost entirely on referrals. Providing a high standard of service, but also with a friendly face and expanding my network through my clients is the key to my success.

Pricing:

• Volume Lashes Full Set- $170
• Volume Lash Fill- $65

Contact Info:

• Address: Heshi’s Beauty Bar- Sola Salons
  56 General Way, Studio 34
  Reading MA 01867
• Website: www.vagaro.com/heshisbeautybar
• Phone: +17813538799
• Email: heshisbeautybar@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heshis_beauty_bar/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/heshislashes

Image Credit:
AJ Hemaratne- www.quphotography.com

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