Build’M: A Success Story in McKinney & Prosper, TX

August 9, 2024

Carla Bravo, The Lash Lounge Franchisee, shares experience working with Build’M.

Background and Journey into Franchising

Carla Bravo’s professional journey is nothing short of impressive. With 20-30 years of experience in various manufacturing sales roles, including positions in aerospace and trucking industries, Carla has built a solid career. However, she decided to pursue the world of franchising, aiming to establish a business that would sustain her independently. Her interest in the lash industry was sparked by the high demand for lash services, recognizing that it was a market where customers were always in need.

While holding a full-time job, Carla has successfully opened two Lash Lounge locations, with a third one in the pipeline. She opened the Prosper location in 2019 and the McKinney location in May 2023. She plans to open the third location, also in McKinney, by next year.

Experience Working with Build’M

Carla’s experience with Build’M began with her second location. Initially, her first studio was opened with the help of a local team before Build’M was involved. For her second location, she collaborated with the team at Build’M. She highlights their responsiveness and efficiency in addressing her needs, making the process considerably smoother than the first.

One significant challenge Carla faced was finding the right subcontractor. Initially, the preferred subcontractor with extensive experience in lash studio construction opted out, leading Carla to work with a less experienced but cost-effective subcontractor found by Build’M. This turned out to be a positive experience, and Carla was very satisfied with the work completed.

Key Challenges and Build’M’s Role

Despite few challenges, such as a scratched bed that required a claim, the overall experience was seamless and smooth. Carla praised the Build’M team and the subcontractor for their excellent communication and problem-solving skills, which helped overcome any obstacles encountered.

Standout Service Aspects

Carla appreciated the teamwork and communication within the Build’M team. The team established a weekly Friday call, which proved to be effective in keeping everyone on the same page and updated as the location progressed.

Customer and Staff Feedback

Feedback from both customers and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. The locations are often described as clean, beautiful, fresh, light, relaxing, and well-designed. From the floor to the paint color to the bathroom, every detail was meticulously matched to Carla’s vision, thanks to Build’M’s precision and dedication.

Excitement for the Future

Looking ahead, Carla is most excited about the growth potential of the McKinney location and the swift development of the third one. With her positive experience with Build’M and the subcontractor, she feels confident in the success of her future ventures. Carla’s ultimate goal is to have all three salons operating efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Initially more hands-on with her first location, Carla found it immensely beneficial to delegate responsibilities to Build’M for subsequent projects. This decision alleviated much of the stress and allowed her to focus on her full-time job while ensuring the successful establishment of her lash studios. Carla is particularly thankful for Build’M’s assistance with permits and other potentially stressful aspects of setting up a new business, making the overall experience much more manageable.

Carla Bravo’s story is a testament to the effectiveness of partnering with Build’M for business expansion and development. Her journey from a sales professional to a successful franchise owner showcases the importance of support, communication, and expertise in achieving business goals.