Meet Mimi Oviawe, founder of Mimi Studio Pro
I’m Mimi Oviawe, beauty enthusiast and founder of Mimi’s Studio PRO, who like many others, has a burning desire to turn one’s dreams into a reality by catering to women’s beauty needs. Wearing lash extensions saves my customers a significant amount of time when getting ready, it boosts their confidence and they learn to feel better with less makeup and feel more comfortable in their own skin with this being the pinnacle of our mission, birthed Mimi’s Studio PRO specialising in all things lashes & brows.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as an entrepreneur?
Accepting that I’m not on the same journey as anyone else, so trying not to compare myself to someone else ever. Even when I don't want to, just keep going and keep putting value and content out there consistently and it will pay off. Understanding that I have an amazing service and people need to hear it and see it – don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
What are your thoughts on failure?
I always believe that failing in life helps to us build resilience. The more we fail, the more resilient we become. In order to achieve great success, we must know resilience. True success will take an enormous amount of work and effort.
Tell us about your journey into this market.
In 2017 alongside my 9-5 job in real estate, I decided to challenge myself and start a side hustle selling strip lashes. After about 6 months of building a customer base, I received a lot of enquiries regarding lash extension services in London, as it wasn’t as popular back then, I decided to book a lash course to see what all the hype was about, from that moment I knew that there was a gap in the market I could potentially fill and decided that I’d put my all in to fulfil this mission.
Why do you think your business has had such a positive impact across your industry?
In Being an Expert in the Lash Industry by participating in professional development, being innovative and demonstrating a true interest in the lash industry whilst striving for self-improvement. Also by delivering extraordinary customer service by training staff the importance of maintaining a positive attitude at the lash studio, being consistent and going that extra mile for our customers, this means delivering more than what a customer expects from us.
What’s the most important question entrepreneurs should be asking themselves?
How do I help others?
Entrepreneurship is all about giving and mentoring and leading others, asking myself often am I giving as much as I receive? Adding value builds trust with your customers. The more you help them through your knowledge, service and resources, the more they trust you and the more brand equity you build.
Do you prioritise self-care as an entrepreneur?
Absolutely, as an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get lost in the hustle of running a business and forget to take care of our own wellbeing. Its an essential part of being a successful entrepreneur. It’s not only important for your physical health; it also has a huge impact on your mental health as well.
I believe self-care also allows me to practice mindfulness and be more aware of what I am doing in my business. I use this newfound awareness to identify areas where I can improve and make changes that benefit my own business.
What would be your top three tips to fellow entrepreneurs to look after their mental health?
Hire outside help
Sourcing people to help you manage your business is a good step to growing your business and increasing its chances of success.
Identify what is contributing to your stress
Identifying what makes you feel stressed is the first step in preventing that stress from happening again. Is there something you can do to reduce the burden on yourself?
View downtime as an investment in productivity
Getting a good amount of rest and sleep can improve your productivity at work. You will also be more motivated while at work, knowing you have free time to enjoy and work towards.
Describe your business in three words.
Approachable, Innovative, Inclusive.
What would be your top marketing tip, to grow a business that is niche?
I would say building customer loyalty, this is so key because it makes the customer feel that they are getting what they desire and intend to invest more into your product or service. Loyal customers also believe in your company, and they're not shy about sharing their positive feedback with others.
How is digitisation empowering your business?
I’d say digitisation has improved customer service at Mimi's Studio pro, it gives us a much better handle on our data information, customer buying history, studying customer purchasing habits and opinions. This lets us craft a more compelling narrative in our advertising – and target our marketing much more precisely.
