Rachel Apfel Glass of GLOSSLAB on modernizing the nail salon experience with a membership-focused model

Rachel Apfel Glass_Blog Header

Describe your business in a few words?

I founded GLOSSLAB in 2018 with a mission to modernize the nail salon experience with my hygiene-first, membership-focused concept. Currently, we have 3 locations in NYC with 2 additional locations opening in the next few months. 

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I worked in hedge fund fundraising for 10 years.  I was always in search of a quick, clean manicure as part of my busy work schedule and then as part of my even busier lifestyle as a working mom. I always felt like manicures were errands; a very joyless and inefficient experience. I talked about recreating the nail space for years. After having my second daughter and ultimately leaving the world of finance, I worked with a team of experts to open and then scale Glosslab.  

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I went to Columbia Business School and then worked in hedge fund fundraising for ten years.  I always enjoyed having an entrepreneurial role within companies but ultimately knew it was time to start my own business. 

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

That was never my initial plan, but every week I would go to get a manicure, I would look for the “least gross” place and I knew something had to change! That’s why I founded Glosslab on five key pillars including: Hygiene, Efficiency, Innovation, Expertise and Empowerment. I thought about giving up all the time — everyone in my life told me I was crazy to leave the finance world to take this leap and I would often believe them myself. It has been my inner passion to pursue this journey that has kept me going and really doing work on myself along the way.

Take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

I self-funded Glosslab and we had no budget for marketing. So in the beginning it was all referrals from customers/members!

We always learn the most from our mistakes, share a time with us that you made a mistake or had a challenging time in business and what you learned from it?

Raising capital for our latest round of fundraising was definitely challenging. We had to practice time management – we had our heads down focused on operations and expansion but had to balance that with the time necessary to complete the fundraising process.

What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?

Being a mom is #1.  Then opening Glosslab and finding the great team we have now.

How has your business or industry been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?

In the early stages of the pandemic, we cared most about the safety and security of our Glosslab employees.  At Glosslab, my core principle is empowerment – starting from within our company. We have a true career path for our employees and technicians where they have many growth and learning opportunities within our company. I started Glosslab with hygiene as a #1 priority. I did lots of research – our services, including pedicures, are completely waterless due to the germs and bacteria that live in pedicure bowls, even when they are cleaned. Our tools are one-time use only or otherwise cleaned in a hospital-grade sterilizer. When we re-opened in July, we did not have to pivot our store model beyond adding Covid safety measures – temperature checks, plexi dividers for services, masks and health checks. We also launched our mani “emergency” kits during the pandemic as well as our gel eraser kit – for gel removal at home or on the go.

What’s next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

We are opening 5+ locations in NYC. I am so thrilled to be a part of the re-growth that NYC needs right now.  We are also launching our full line of products later this year, including nail polish, hand and foot care. Additionally, we are planning to expand to other cities across the country, including Los Angeles.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned in 2020?

I learned to be more present and it’s been super impactful. Having the chance to slow down from running place to place was a true silver lining for me.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting your business?

It has taken me a long time to learn this, but you can truly create your own happiness. I am running this business and living this crazy entrepreneur life of working 100 hours a week so that I don’t have to work 40 hours a week. This makes me truly happy and fulfilled.

How have you managed to stay grounded this year?

I take time for myself (or try to!) everyday. It’s SO important to take this time and it’s not selfish- it makes me a much better (nicer!) mom, wife and person. For me, this time is spent doing yoga or a sweaty workout, practicing meditation and/or just spending time alone or with friends.  

Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?

I am mom to two little girls who are my inspiration – I love that, especially being home so much right now, they get to see this work side of what I do all day. Juggling is always the hardest question because I never feel that I’m truly managing the juggle. And yet, somehow, I am! I have never worked harder in my life, including when I was traveling to several cities each month raising money for hedge funds. They say entrepreneurs are the crazy people who work 100 hours a week so they don’t have to work 40 hours – so true! However, my time is my own now and I’m able to spend real time with my kids everyday. I believe that my kids are happiest when I’m happiest, and I’m so lucky to love what I do!  

What are your top 3 tips to stay productive each day?

Action expresses priorities… just start! You have the power to create your own happiness. 

Additionally, for entrepreneurs, some advice I live by includes:         

  • Be you!         
  • Take the first step – it’s often those little things in the beginning to push an idea forward that seem small but can get it going.         
  • Ask for help. No one can do everything – don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

What does being an Entreprenista mean to you?

Truly, creating my own happiness.  Taking control of my week and everyday to build Glosslab and push forward each day.

Share it!

Posted in
Tags

Leave a Comment





Marine Turned Chef Joanne Thomas Shares About Her Cooking Career and Business

Hi, Joanne! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi! I’m Chef Joanne Thomas, a world-renowned culinary artist known for exceptional skills, creative flair, and dedication to the art of cooking. With a career spanning decades, I’ve curated a collection of custom-blended spices, gourmet butters, and other culinary delights that cater to…

Joanie French On Her Business That Creates Unforgettable Experiences Through Nature

Hi, Joanie! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hey there! I’m Joanie, the creative mind behind Harmony Escape Experiences. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, I’m passionate about crafting unforgettable moments through personalized events. As an Office Administrator by day and an aspiring entrepreneur always, I’m on a mission to create harmonious and…

U.S. Navy Vet Natasha Norris On Her Chemical-Free Skincare

Hi, Natasha! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: I’m Natasha Norris, Owner of Skincare by CMG. Last year I retired after 26 years of public service, proudly serving in the U.S. Navy. I started in the beauty industry in 2013 with a multibillion-dollar cosmetics brand, based in Dallas, Texas. The discipline,…

Demystifying the Health Insurance Industry with Dr. Noor Ali

“Show up dressed as your next level self. So, whoever that ‘her’ is that you’re projecting—whether that’s five years or 10 years—show up as her. Embodying her, not just dressed as her… Proving to yourself like, ‘Hey, I just did it 10 years before I thought that I could do it.’” When Dr. Noor Ali…

Reinventing Yourself and Your Business With Lori Harder

“Expose all of the elephants in the room. We just try to hide them… We’re trying to throw our skirt up over the elephant… I have gone into everything. It’s been a superpower. I’m like, ‘Here’s the elephant. Here’s the elephant. Here’s the elephant. Yes, I’m new at this. Yes, you might be afraid of…

Stephanie Purzycki Combines Design Services With Her Innovative Offering

Hi, Stephanie! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: I’m Stephanie Purzycki, the Founder and Creative Principal of The Finish, a unique offering that provides the services of a professional interior designer, one hour at a time. At The Finish, we combine traditional design services with e-design—unlike traditional design services, there are…

Born Entrepreneur Viri Maldonado On Her Booming PR Agency

Hi, Viri! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, My name is Viri Maldonado, founder of Social Click PR, from Houston, TX. I am a first-generation Mexican-American. Both of my parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico in search of a better life. I like to say that I am…

How to Legally Protect Your Business with Lauren Bercuson

“In the beginning, if you don’t have a team or a system or community around you, it’s very easy to feel lost. There are these amazing communities out there for amazing female founders that will really help guide and support you. So, the greatest lesson I learned pretty quickly was that you’re never alone. Or,…

Innovating Clean Hair Care with Nadine Ramos

“It’s not just about selling your products anymore. You need to know how your products work, you need to know what you’re putting out there, and you need to be the expert at it so that you can educate your consumer. That also builds trust, so it’s like, ‘Okay, she did the work. She has…

Nina Smith Fights Period Stigmas With Fri Period Sustainable Underwear

Hi, Nina! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi! I’m Nina Smith. I started Fri Period because I’m on a mission to make periods better—for our customers, for our planet, and for those who can’t afford to be our customers. We offer a range of sustainable period underwear made in the…

Marketing Guru Debbie Oster On Her Inspirational Career Journey

Hi, Debbie! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, I’m Debbie! With over 12 years of marketing experience, I have developed a deep understanding of how to create and execute effective marketing strategies that drive business growth. As a co-founder and the Chief Marketing Officer at Entrepreneur’s Edge, I help small…

Formulating Beauty Business Success with Emilie Mascarell

“It’s a crowded space. It’s expensive. It takes time. And not everybody is an overnight success. So, I think it’s important to know how to play with the rules of the game and how to set yourself in a way that is really going to differentiate you and… is going to serve you. I want…

Redefining the Culinary Industry with Aishwarya Iyer

“Nothing lasts forever, we’re all gonna die. It’s all very short. So, having that perspective kind of makes you say, ‘We’re not around for that long, we probably should make the most of it and be happy.’” In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Aishwarya Iyer, founder and CEO of Brightland, a stylish…

Celebrating Our Founders For International Women’s Day

On March 8, 1857, in New York City, female textile workers marched in protest of unfair working conditions and unequal rights for women. Calling for shorter workdays and fair wages, this was one of the first organized strikes by working women. Also on this date in 1908, women workers in the needle trades marched through…

Superstar Michelle Cooper Speaks About Her Financial Mentorship Business

Hi, Michelle! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: I’m Michelle Cooper, a Business Mentor, Author, Podcast Host, and International Speaker. What began as a journey of self-awareness and healing has boomed into over a million-dollar business empire with a mission to shift the trajectory of wealth, one entrepreneur at a time.…