Meet Tobi Blakeman | Lash Artist & Esthetician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tobi Blakeman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tobi, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Thankfully my parents raised me to have a strong work ethic, so I have always been a hard worker with a lot to offer any employer. After high school I quickly realized that college was going to be short-lived because I wanted to travel and explore more than I wanted to find a job. So my main goal was to find a career that allowed me to do both! I knew I was an outstanding employee to any business that I worked for, but I also knew that my availability was limited, so I had to commit 100% to my own journey! After years of working many different jobs, in 2019 I officially decided to go to school to become a licensed esthetician & to be my own boss. It was the best move I ever made for myself!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I always tell first time clients – If you’ve never had lash extensions before, get ready to be addicted! If you are already a current client of mine, you know that my expertise is just adding that extra pop to your natural beauty! Simplicity is key for my brand. I feel like that is what sets me apart from other lash artists in this area. Building a clientele wasn’t easy in a big city like Denver, especially when Covid hit…but I knew I wasn’t the only one experiencing the unknown. I knew this was an opportunity for me to start fresh and make my brand into anything I wanted! I took my time, organized my goals, invested all of my focus & my energy into what is now my own successful lash studio. & During a global freakin’ pandemic!? I did however learn along the way that true success doesn’t just happen overnight or even in the first 6 months…obstacles will happen, but so will progress. That’s what makes working so hard feel so good! I’m very fortunate and i’m very proud of Studio T xo today. I love nothing more than to create customized looks for each of my clients, I love to see their reaction when I show them the mirror, and I love the friendships that I have formed with each of them over time. Lashes just make everything better. Simple as that. Xo

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My husband and I especially love living in Denver for the amazing food and awesome music scene! Of course we would have to bring them to a show at beautiful Red Rocks Amphitheater! Nothing beats that view. Even a fun night out at Cervantes is a must for a cool Denver jam experience! We also really love taking our friends and family that visit us to the Stanley Marketplace for beers and a verity of great food! That place is underrated but highly recommended!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My number one supporter has always been my husband Shawn. Even during those hard times when I was unsure if I was making the right decisions finically. He has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and to try new things, even if it’s intimidating and scary! Of course my parents & family too, they’re amazing! I also would like to send a shout out to my sweet friend & Beauty Bee salon owner, Kylie Nichols! She has helped me grow my business by allowing me a beautiful space to create & do the things I love most. She’s a smart, business-minded woman who supports other women growing their businesses too. She helped me understand what it takes to grow & thrive in this ever growing industry and I couldn’t be more grateful for her.

Website: https://www.beautybeesalon.com/our-story

Instagram: @studio_txo

Image Credits
Tabor Aragon Stephanie Parsley