Francheska Velazquez
Play to Learn Childcare
The Backstory
Hope’s journey to opening a salon did not take the usual path. She spent 15 years as a merchandise manager at Mohegan Sun, then became Director of Retail Operations at the historic Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in North Carolina. When she returned to Connecticut, she took a job as a buyer at Pfizer in Groton.
Eight years ago, Hope decided to pivot to the cosmetology field after experiencing first-hand how lash extensions can provide a boost of confidence and enhance one’s natural beauty. She knew she wanted to share that experience with other women, so she launched Lashes by Lee & Co., a full service salon in downtown New London. Additionally, Lashes by Lee & Co. provides education and training to other cosmetology professionals and is approved by the State of Connecticut to license women to become licensed lash artists and estheticians.
Eight years ago, Hope decided to pivot to the cosmetology field after experiencing first-hand how lash extensions can provide a boost of confidence and enhance one’s natural beauty. She knew she wanted to share that experience with other women, so she launched Lashes by Lee & Co., a full service salon in downtown New London. Additionally, Lashes by Lee & Co. provides education and training to other cosmetology professionals and is approved by the State of Connecticut to license women to become licensed lash artists and estheticians.
How Women's Business Development Council Helped
Hope took GPS, WBDC’s 9-week business planning course, which she credits to opening her eyes to all the things she needed to know to successfully run her business. During the course, Hope completed a business plan and created policies and projections which helped her to receive a New London/ WBDC Small Business grant in 2023. Hope used the grant funds to outfit her space with the equipment needed to run the esthetician program, providing Lashes by Lee & Co. with an additional revenue stream.
According to Hope, “WBDCs tailored guidance has helped me with strategic decision making and support, operating more efficiently, encouraging me to network and make connections, improved my financial planning and, most of all, holding me accountable and motivating me. You just can’t put a price tag on all that the WBDC has to offer.”
According to Hope, “WBDCs tailored guidance has helped me with strategic decision making and support, operating more efficiently, encouraging me to network and make connections, improved my financial planning and, most of all, holding me accountable and motivating me. You just can’t put a price tag on all that the WBDC has to offer.”
Website
Location
153 Bank Street New London, CT 06320
lashesbylee528@gmail.com
Contact Phone
860-449-3566