Transforming the Lash Industry: Julia Mann’s Journey and Innovations

By Louise May

Julia Mann is the owner and founder of Lash Tribe, Ink Pro Artistry, and Lash Link. She is a fully qualified Beauty Therapist, Hairdresser, and Cosmetic Tattooist who began pursuing lashes in 2010 after experiencing a terrible set of lashes herself.

She has since grown into a renowned lash trainer, judge, business growth coach, best-selling author, and multi-award winner, training thousands of artists worldwide since 2016.

Her mission is to provide top-tier training, products, and trainers globally, uniting stylists and creating successful professional lash artists.

Julia still actively works with clients, allowing her to experiment with the latest trends and cutting-edge beauty treatments in her studio.

She recently launched her first “DIY Lash Studio,” Lash Link, which enables those who cannot or do not want to wear eyelash extensions to apply lashes at home.

Julia is best known for her online lash courses, social media presence, and extensive business knowledge within the lash industry.

Her newest program, launching later this year, is “The Salon Start-Up Method,” which will cover all things lashes, business and AI. She will work with artists and salon owners on business and branding, helping them to start and grow their own lash businesses.

Beauty Biz Editor Louise May chats with Julia about the Lash Tribe, the newly launched DIY Lash Studio and what’s on the agenda for the next 12 months!

What was the inspiration behind starting the Lash Tribe?

The inspiration behind starting the Lash Tribe Academy stemmed from a desire to elevate the standards in the lash industry and provide comprehensive, high-quality education. In 2016, I noticed a huge gap in the market for thorough and professional training that not only focused on technical skills but also on business, social media, and personal development.

My goal was to create an academy that nurtures aspiring lash artists and helps them achieve excellence in their craft while empowering them to run successful businesses.

Can you tell us about Lash Tribe, and what your students learn?

Lash Tribe Academy is currently in Teneriffe, Brisbane. I offer small group training in a range of courses tailored to both beginners and experienced lash artists. My curriculum covers everything from the fundamentals of lash application to advanced techniques and styles. Beyond the technical skills, I emphasise business training, including marketing, client management, and how to build and sustain a profitable lash business. AI and how to utilise it in a beauty salon is now also a huge part of my training.

What sets the Lash Tribe apart from the other training facilities?

I believe it is my experience across the Beauty Industry over the past 21 years. I have a holistic approach to education. I provide not just technical training but also business mentorship and personal development for years after. I am huge on mindset as well.

The focus is NOT on training huge groups for a quick money grab. For me, it is about offering small group training and 1:1 Training where students get actual quality time, rather than sitting in a classroom with 6 or more students.

Additionally, I offer ongoing support and resources even after the courses are completed, fostering a community where lash artists can continue to grow and succeed.

Becoming a good lash artist is one thing, however going into business for yourself is a whole new ballgame! What business help do you provide your students who want to go into business for themselves?

I understand that becoming a successful lash artist also means being a savvy businessperson.

I provide my students with extensive business training because I have studied this for years and years myself. That includes modules on AI, marketing, branding, social media strategies, and client retention.

I also offer personalised 1:1 coaching sessions on Ads and Funnel Building for other lash trainers, business planning resources, and access to a supportive community of fellow entrepreneurs.

My goal is to equip the students with the knowledge and tools they need to confidently launch and grow their own lash businesses.

You have a huge social media following across all platforms, and you are an international speaker and business coach, you have also created several online and in-person programs. What is your “why” with what you do?

I actually revisited my WHY/My Purpose earlier this year.

It is: “To help people, to create & inspire change”

It’s also driven by my passion for empowering individuals to achieve their full potential, both professionally and personally. I believe that everyone has the ability to succeed with the right guidance and support. And I looove creating training for this.

My mission is to create a positive impact & create a high-level tribe of 5000 conscious entrepreneurs globally across my membership platforms by 2025 with my new programs I will be launching in late 2024.

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

If I could change one thing about the lash industry, it would be to establish higher and more consistent standards for training and certification. Australia has none. It’s terrible.

There is a significant need for standardised education and regulation to ensure that all lash artists are well-trained and adhere to best practices. This would not only improve the quality of services offered but also enhance the safety and satisfaction of clients, ultimately elevating the reputation of the entire industry.

All those little “bedroom or backyard salons”, like I like to call them, of girls learning off TikTok and deciding that’s enough, it something that really needs to be addressed by local councils.

You have just launched ‘Lash Link’ Can you tell us all about it? What inspired you to create this new product brand, who is it for and what are the features and benefits? What is unique about it?

For almost 5 years now, I have been umming and ahhing about creating an “end-consumer” product, that people with allergies or sensitivities to lashes can wear. Not everyone can or wants to wear lashes and with the cost-of-living crisis, I wanted to develop something that could fill that gap.

Lash Link is a DIY Lash Studio, that anyone can apply at home within 10 minutes; if you don’t like the upkeep of eyelash extensions, you are allergic, you want to save time, or you simply like to change it up every few days. The lashes are applied in little segments from underneath the natural lashes, but they can also be applied on top.

They can last for a very long time (10 plus days) BUT being a lash artist, I recommend changing up the look every 5-7 days.

I offer 3 different styles of lashes to suit most. It’s taken 12 months to create and launch.

What is on the agenda for the next 12 months?

Over the next 12 months, I have exciting plans to launch my new all-inclusive membership for lash artists “The Lash Salon Start-Up Method”, which will heavily focus on business-building skills, utilization of AI, Customer retention, marketing, Lash skills, and new trends etc.

I am also launching a mini membership for those that are struggling financially because courses can be quite expensive. This mini-membership “90 Days to Lash Success-From Start-Up to your first paying client” will only be $7 p/m.

I plan to introduce more innovative products under the Lash Link brand, based on ongoing research and feedback from my community. I would like to get the name out more and perhaps get department stores involved. I would also like to attend more industry events and workshops to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among lash artists worldwide. Ultimately, my goal is to continue supporting and empowering the lash community and have fun creating content and products for it.

@lashtribe @lashlink_official