Meet Caroline Lam | PERMANENT COSMETICS ARTIST & EDUCATOR

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

Hi Caroline, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
At the time, the thought process was mainly what could provide income but allow me to have time freedom so that I can be a part of my daughter’s life as she’s growing up. My mom was always working and I went from babysitter to babysitter so she missed out on some milestones. Even though I definitely understood her actions, I wanted to do more for myself and my daughter so I decided to jump into permanent cosmetics. Once I started though, it was more the excitement of doing something different everyday. I became obsessed with perfecting the craft and then before I knew it, ARCH TO END is now 3 years old. It’s been a blessing to have grown to where I am now.

What should our readers know about your business?
ARCH TO END is a growing brand. What started with just me as a business owner providing the services has grown to me and a team of amazing girls and together, we provide most of the beauty services you can think of. We focus more on enhancing natural beauty and features with permanent cosmetics and pride ourselves in customer service and techniques.

I am most proud of my signature lip blush technique, LIP GLO, which took hundreds of hands on tattooing lips back to back to create. LIP GLO boasts of achieving natural results for client’s with hyperpigmentation with minimal trauma, minimal passes, and all over coverage. It’s something I specialized in and have been fortunate enough to share my love and knowledge of lips with over 100 students since 2020.

Getting the business to its 3rd year was definitely a surprise to myself even. I never knew I would ever make it. I was definitely more into perfecting the craft and hands on experience versus the actual financials of it all. I started in a small Phenix Salon Suites with no actual clients lined up and no beauty experience but basically risked it all. I was only two weeks postpartum before I started going full force. The beginning wasn’t easy. I invested a lot and couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. The first few months, I had less than a handful of clients doing brows. I decided to invest myself further by learning tattoo removals and lips. Lips were definitely my calling because I enjoyed the colors of it all.

I decided to take over the lease of an existing microblading studio which was 1200 sq feet. The week after we signed the lease, COVID closures happened and it was the most devastating and challenging thing, Financially, we had no relief and had to continue to pay for rent without even working but also having to live through the pandemic with a new child – all of it was completely new. Even to this day, we’re still going through a pandemic despite easing restrictions and now inflation. It’s been a wild ride but I believe in longevity of the business because I built a solid foundation from the start. If there’s anything I’ve learned, if your focus is on the craft and skill, the recognition and financial stability and freedom will come naturally.

I’ve learned that it’s not easy having people trust you with their faces and hard earned money. You really have to invest in yourself and build relationships with your clientele while also being really good at what you do. Treating clients and students like a business transaction won’t get you referrals and a strong foundation. Tattooing someone is a huge responsibility and it’s so rewarding when we can help them feel more confident in themselves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting the area, you know we have to hit up the beaches! SoCAL living with the gorgeous weather and there’s literally so many beaches. Redondo Beach is definitely a favorite because I’m a seafood person so we have to visit Quality Seafood for their selection of fresh seafood with varying shellfish and fish. I definitely have to take her to NEP Café’s for breakfast and GEM Dining, both located in the same restaurant but one is for breakfast/lunch while the other one is for fine dining. If you haven’t tried GEM’s lava tiramisu, you better now!

And of course, we just have to go to Disneyland! Can’t skip that when in Orange County either. LACMA Art Museum for some relaxation and while we’re at it, downtown Los Angeles for all their cute cafes, fine dining, night life, and sky rise views. I’m not usually a big drinker so for social spots, we’re just going to have to go with the flow on those!

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?
Shoutout to David Tran, who is my daughter’s amazing father! He deserves all the credit for where I stand today as a business owner and an artist because he believed in me, invested in me, and supported me. I wouldn’t honestly be where I am today without his extensive experience in business and giving me business advice 101 because I knew nothing about running a business.

Of course, Charlotte Tran, my daughter deserves credit too because everything I do, I do it for her!

Website: www.archtoend.com

Instagram: @archtoend

Yelp: ARCH TO END Permanent Cosmetics

Other: Booking calendar: www.archtoend.as.me