Chandra Wilson-Watson has long been in the beauty industry, mainly concentrating on eyelashes. She’s opening Amazing Lash at 4572 Poplar Ave. on Aug. 30.
Wilson-Watson opened Wink Spalon on Brookhaven Circle in 2010. Wink was a full-service salon, offering manicures and pedicures, haircuts, eyebrow tinting, eyelash extensions, makeup services, and more.
“I wanted to make my brand a franchise, but it was too difficult, too many hurdles,” Wilson-Watson said. “So, I pivoted with the Amazing Lash franchise. I’m on my own, and [Amazing Lash] helped me overcome issues and helped me all the way to the finish line.”
Wilson-Watson said that Amazing Lash was very supportive, particularly when it came to finding a spot. They hooked her up with a commercial real estate agent.
“The commercial realtor then finds the right location for the franchise based off the anchors around you,” Wilson-Watson said.
Her realtor was Shawn Massey of the Shopping Center Group.
The new location is between the Nordstrom Rack and an Ulta at the Poplar Commons shopping center. The center’s stores draw shoppers who are just the type to patronize an Amazing Lash.
Wilson-Watson also noted that the franchise specifically aimed for East Memphis. That made sense, too. Wilson, with Wink Spalon, was already a presence there and it was a sound decision, demographically.
“My reputation providing women with quality service is what I’m known for in the East Memphis area. Everybody knows me in East Memphis, and everyone here supports me in East Memphis,” she said. “So, East Memphis is the perfect location for the business based off the traffic and the customers.”
Wilson-Watson traveled to Denver, Amazing Lash’s headquarters, to meet with them and to learn more about the brand. She committed to opening three locations in the Memphis area. She said she’s got her eye on Germantown next and maybe after that Southaven.
Amazing Lash specializes in lash extensions. It also offers brow lamination, waxing, and tinting as well as lash lifts, which curl the lashes. Services usually take around two hours, with a twice-a-month upkeep. Patrons can opt for memberships for a discounted rate.
It is a time commitment. But, ultimately, patrons save time.
“Lash extensions keep women from having to wear makeup because it makes you look as if you have on makeup since your lashes are darker,” Wilson-Watson said. “It gives women more time to do other things.”
Image Credit: Susan Ellis / Memphis Business Journal