Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Sapp.
Hi Ashley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi, my name is Ashley, I am 22 years old and the founder of ASAPP Glitzy. This beauty business started out only as a lash extension service, but is steadily growing into a multi beauty service business! Before I started my business, my story started way before. I grew up in Savannah, Georgia and throughout my life I have watched my mother flourish with her salon, helping people feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin. Because of this, she is my biggest inspiration and why I have opened a beauty business.
At a young age, being around people that were coming in and out of my mother’s salon, I realized physical beauty was valued significantly in society. I grew up with my mom always dressing me up and doing my hair in the mornings before school. Being around hairstylist and beauty services made me a little fashionista from the start. But, when I entered middle school I hit a very awkward stage, like many kids do. I was teased and at one point my peers and even some teachers called me Ugly Betty which then had an internal impact on me and caused me to focus on my appearance at a very young age. Soon after, I entered into an all-girls high school where physical beauty had an even greater importance. For a very long time I never felt fully myself because I was so focused on the outside appearance, I never took much care of the inside. After graduating high school in 2018, I then spent a year in a half at a small college in Athens, Georgia. After struggling to figure out what I wanted to do, I eventually discovered that college wasn’t for me. It wasn’t until I got a job in customer service that I felt such a strong connection through helping and meeting new people. I didn’t know at the time, but it was at this point where my passion slowly started to bloom. Before I had any thought about withdrawing from college, I was commuting from Athens Georgia to Atlanta, Georgia for a job I had at the time. This is where I met a coworker who introduced me to lash extensions. Her lashes were long, symmetrical, and stood out to me in a way that I had never noticed on anyone before. This wasn’t a regular service you would find in Savannah at the time or in my college town, so for me I knew little to no detail about this process. Shortly after being introduced to lash extensions, I got my first ever lash set.
I chose to follow in the path of my parents and work towards opening my own business. I first began to research lash extensions and all that they entailed. I saw how quickly they made people all over adopt a form of confidence that inspired me even more. From there, I decided to expand my passion and inspiration. I got my first certification in lash extensions and during this time, I created a name for my brand, ASAPP Glitzy. The name is a combination of the first letter of my name, “A” followed by my last name “Sapp” with an addition of glitz to express the glamour I hope to spread. Starting out this small business gave me belief in myself. I was lucky enough to be in a college town where I was able connect with college girls my age who wanted a lash enhancement. Their reactions and reviews of my work were so uplifting and encouraging. This type of feedback allowed me to understand that confidence comes in many different forms and being able to enable that back to my clients was something I grew to look forward. I eventually withdrew from college to focus full time on this business. I entered esthetician school at Elaine Sterling Institute which allowed me to expand my knowledge with skin and beauty. This path has allowed me to discover my uniqueness. I have founded more than a business, a business that can help others find uniqueness within them too. I not only want to provide physical services for others but to express to my clients the importance of passion and self love. I aim to create an original look for every customer that comes my way. I hope to continue to pursue this and spread this form of image through my clients who are looking to embellish their appearance.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! Personally, I don’t think you grow much when you don’t have any obstacles to face whether it be internal or physical. A huge obstacle for me and ASAPP Glitzy was the pandemic. From having to shut down my business, it was extremely difficult. But, I truly believe that every good business needs obstacles in order to improve. Once businesses were able to reopen I took it upon myself to find alternative ways to reach clients and to advertise my business. Taking business and advertising classes as well as extra certifications has help me expand my mind and my work. There will always be days that will be better or worse but it’s all about the perspective you take when dealing with the obstacles you face.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about ASAPP Glitzy?
ASAPP Glitzy is a beauty business that strives its best to offer individuals a way to self express through the services that we provide. That includes Current and physical services such as, lash extensions and lash lifts, brow lifts, needle-free skin enhancements, and soon others. We also provide non-physical services that is not limited to: mindfulness, self love, and the importance of diversity through our Instagram and Pinterest. As the founder, I want to not only provide a variety of services, but to continuously speak on topics that others may be afraid to speak on. This not only is what makes ASAPP Glitzy unique, but being unique is also what our brand is. I believe that being a business owner you have to understand every individuals differences and teach them how they can truly express themselves.
As a young business owner who is still learning, I have been told before that I should think about pursuing something else or consider a backup plan in case it doesn’t work. The one thing I can confidently say is, I will continue to strive and grow my business and I will not stop until ASAPP Glitzy has made an impact on the beauty industry. As a young entrepreneur, having to put their self and their passions out has been tough. I have learned and relearned again to overcome some of my previous fears and anxieties. Even having the pandemic I have made more of an effort to create an environment for my clients to feel comfortable, honest, and to allow them to express what they want without judgment and will continue to apply this as we grow.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’ve had wonderful people that have contributed by helping me get to this point in my career and I’m truly so grateful for all of them. I would first like to mention both my mom and dad and my family as a whole who have invested a lot of their time, support, and love towards me and my business. My parents have always pushed me to be myself while being a business owner. I truly believe ASAPP Glitzy wouldn’t be where it is without them. I would like to thank my boyfriend, Michael O’Sullivan and his parents for always encouraging me to think outside of the box. Michael encourages me to further expand my knowledge while also being my biggest cheerleader. I would like to thank Alexis, who gave me my first certificate through her business, Eyecing Beauty. My lash tech friend, Courtney who I met through our first certificate together and who owns beauty bar by Court. She has been an amazing friend since! I would like to thank Carlee Kirsch, she has been my first model on all my lash extension sets and is currently a part of my team creating graphic designs. Also, I’d like to thank Taylor Gaddy, a photographer who has created beautiful photos of me and my business and really brings your ideas to life! I would like to send love and thanks to my friend group who have always remain supportive and who continuously shares my content, allows me to use them as models, and continuously lift me up when I need it. And of course, my clients! Because without them I wouldn’t exist at all. I am thankful to have such amazing people enter my life and my career.
Pricing:
- Lash Extensions $55+
- Hyaluron Pen (needle-free enhancement) $100+
- Lifts and tints $75
- Lash extensions fill-in $75+
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.asappglitzy.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.
com/asappglitzy/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/asappglitzy/ - Twitter: https://www.twitter.
com/asappglitzy/ - Pinterest: https://pinterest.
com/asappglitzy/
Image Credits
Taylor Gaddy Photography
