The McLean area is filled with various unique businesses, which students from Longfellow love to visit—from bookstores to gift shops, and clothing stores to beauty salons. There is something about a small business that provides a welcoming atmosphere.
One such small business owned by a Longfellow Parent is Chel’s Lashes, which is a beauty salon that specializes in eyelash extensions but has expertise in many categories, including waxing and microblading. The owner is Cheryl ‘Chel’ Chupka, a passionate professional who has over five years of experience. Her children have all been affected in some way by their interactions with their mother’s business.
This business was started due to both Ms. Chupka’s passion for beauty and her desire to have more flexibility for her kids. She began her business in Japan in 2015 but started it up in McLean in 2021. Since then, her business has been assisting people with their cosmetic needs. Ms. Chupka believes that having a small business gives her a sense of freedom because as a small business owner, she can manage her own time. She’s able to provide for her family when they’re in need and is reassured that she will be able to spend time with her kids.
As of January 2024, Ms. Chupka has three kids who are still in school. One of her daughters is dedicating herself to helping her mother after being taught by Ms. Chupka. She is striving for a nursing degree, attending a medical school, and assisting her mother with her business from time to time.
Ms. Chupka’s son, a student at McLean High School, has received a proper skincare routine because of his mother’s association with hygienic necessities. Originally, he had no interest in taking care of his personal hygiene, but Ms. Chupka made sure her son found the products he needed.
Her youngest daughter, a Longfellow student, has an interest in associating herself with her mother’s small business, hoping to get a degree in chiropractic. Her experience of having a mother who owns her own business has allowed her to learn the do’s and don’ts. She feels like she is being introduced to a better view of what her future career will be.
Having this role model has allowed her daughter to feel that, one day, she can open up her own business or work with her mother after she is finished with her education and earns the necessities to become the person she wants to be. Mother and daughter have developed a strong bond through the fact that they may be working together in the future.
Ms. Chupka shared some advice on having a career where you own your own business.
“Know how to run a business, know what the rules are, know what the taxes are, because there’s a lot of responsibility.”
Responsibility is key for students planning to start a business in the future.
“You can do your own business, but the thing that you need, number one, is responsibility. You need responsibility. Whatever you need to do, you need to keep it in line.”
The reasons why people start their own business can vary. Live Plan.com states that people start their own businesses because they want to pursue their passions and desires, support communities, have flexibility and balance, and/or want to be the boss.
It’s complicated to start your own business, mainly because of common mistakes. Some challenges business owners face are, according to a company Start Up Loans, failure to plan, lack of demand, ineffective marketing, knowledge and skill gaps, financial management, securing funding, hiring the right people, leadership, time management and productivity, and impact on your health.
Creating your own small business requires stability in your health. However, everyone is different. A business can increase someone’s health because of their undeniable interest and love for what they do, but it can also affect your health due to the stress of having your own business.
So, how do you start your business and get it running? Social media is a common and effective source that is basically a necessity as a business owner. When using social media, find content that will catch the viewer’s attention, content that will entertain and intrigue the desired client. Something to think of is discounting products occasionally, especially during holidays, such as Christmas and Halloween, and if you so desire, create products that match with the holiday theme, depending on what your business is.
Digital advertising is more effective than traditional advertisements. According to Blog GWI.com, digital advertising has increased while traditional advertising has decreased, and as of 2020, magazine and newspaper advertising has fallen 12-15%. The reason for this is because of the increase in social media users, especially since the majority of the Generation Z population is associated with social media.
