Meet Tress Larson, PLA’s New Creative Director
If you’ve always felt like you’ll never quite belong, hi, I’m Tress Larson, and I’m so happy you are here. I have been deeply involved in the beauty industry for over 20 years, and have always just been trying to find where I fit. My journey began nearly two decades ago when I first started in the beauty industry at the age of 16, and took my very first eyelash extension training at the age of 19. Working for a salon quickly led to starting my own lash business — right in the midst of a deepening recession. I learned that the lash supplies and tools I invested in mattered deeply, even though times were tough, and that emphasizing service over sales not only sustained my business but allowed it to thrive. Now after many years of being a lash artist and trainer, I’ve moved on to a career in marketing as the Creative Director at Paris Lash Academy (PLA). My mission is to raise awareness of this brand that was truly Made to Make a Difference, and empower lash and beauty professionals to break through barriers and fully embrace the beauty in their own life and their career.
Tress’ Story: Inspiring Lash Artists And Beauty Professionals
Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about inspiring others to grow both personally and professionally. I firmly believe that success in the beauty industry goes beyond technical skills; it’s about creating genuine connections with clients to change lives. By focusing on service-driven experiences in both lash extensions, lash trainings, and business coaching, I’ve been able to teach beauty professionals how to build loyal client bases that lead to extraordinary sales and long-term business growth. For me, it’s all about helping individuals develop the mindset and self-empowerment needed to shatter their own glass ceilings and truly love the lives they’re building.
As an educator (that secretly wants to be a motivational speaker), I’ve dedicated my life to helping others overcome challenges related to self-worth and self-acceptance. This is largely because of the struggles I’ve overcome in my own life and beauty career. Feel free to raise your hand if you chose the path of a lash artist, nail tech, or hair stylist entrepreneur and also happen to have ADHD… we have a tendency to show up around here. As many individuals (and lash techs) with ADHD know, we need something that we are passionate about if it’s going to keep our attention for very long. Being passionate about eyelash extensions tends to be easy for those of us who love the beauty world, but it’s even better if we can be passionate about the lash vendors we purchase from, too. At PLA, I aim to provide beautiful, practical tools and strategies to lash artists that enable them to thrive in their lash business and live lives filled with purpose, the way I have been able to. Lives that are made to make a difference. My approach is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and a deep understanding of the beauty industry and lash artists, which has allowed me to connect with and mentor thousands of professionals over the years.
I believe that sharing the trials and pains of the past are what can bridge the gap between people everywhere, and if we can only be transparent about where we’ve failed and fallen short, we will see that we all share common ground. This is especially important in a world lived largely in social media, where everything can appear to be too good to be true. At every step of the way, whether as a full time makeup artist, struggling lash artist, or a fully-booked artist and educator, I’ve failed nearly as much as I’ve succeeded. I’m not always proud of the failures of the past, but I am always proud of the good that has come from the learning experiences I’ve chosen to see them as. Being a lash artist can be hard. Hard on our body, hard on our mind, and hard on our confidence. Being a lash artist can also be incredibly rewarding. Beautiful in the way we can impact lives. Wonderful in the confidence we can imbue to others, and exceptional in the ways we can thrive without a traditional college degree.
Welcoming Tress To PLA: Providing You With The Best Lash Supplies & Lash Education
In my role at PLA, I’m committed to continuing this work. I’m a firm advocate for the concept of "service over sales," and I believe that the key to success lies in how we treat our clients and the experiences we create for them from the moment they walk through our doors. This philosophy is more important than ever in today’s beauty landscape, where client expectations are at an all-time high, and it’s so important for us to provide them with the very best.
I’ve been blessed to touch the lives of many individuals, helping them to see beyond their current circumstances and realize their true potential. My work is a deep commitment to personal growth, client care, and improving the lives of lash and beauty professionals everywhere. Through my leadership at PLA and the greater lash and beauty industry, I’m dedicated to continuing to shape the future of beauty, guiding professionals to achieve their dreams and create lasting, positive change in their lives and the lives of others. Thank you for being with us on your journey, we are honored to have you here.
Xoxo,
Tress
