I found it odd that I live in Los Angeles and yet I wasn’t able to get eyelash extensions the way that I wanted them; natural looking and in a way that wouldn’t damage my eyelashes.

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BusinessInterviews.com: What inspired you to launch your business?

Tirzah Shirai: I consider myself an accidental entrepreneur. I never really set out to start a business, I just saw a need that wasn’t being met. I found it odd that I live in Los Angeles and yet I wasn’t able to get eyelash extensions the way that I wanted them; natural looking and in a way that wouldn’t damage my eyelashes. I wanted to create a brand that people could trust when it came to eyelash extensions.

BusinessInterviews.com: Do you have any recent success stories that you’d like to share with our readers?

Tirzah Shirai: We are very close to closing our first round of funding with a very prominent VC fund. This will allow us to open over 100 locations across the USA.

BusinessInterviews.com: What issue does your core product help solve and how so?

Tirzah Shirai: It’s no secret that women want to look beautiful but there isn’t always enough time in the day. With eyelash extensions women find they need way less makeup, if any at all. Also consistency; before Blinkbar you really had no idea what you were going to get. I like to use the Starbucks analogy, before there was Starbucks there was coffee on every corner but they gave us consistency, a brand we could trust. We aim to be that in the eyelash world.

BusinessInterviews.com: What has been your biggest challenge as a business owner and how have you met that challenge?

Tirzah Shirai: Being patient. Realizing that everything takes twice as long as you want it to, especially the fundraising process.

BusinessInterviews.com: What’s the most exciting thing on the horizon for you/your Company?

Tirzah Shirai: Expanding! It is so exciting to see this company grow. We are currently opening 2 more locations in LA.

BusinessInterviews.com: Where do you envision your company in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?

Tirzah Shirai: In 5 years we will hopefully have over 50 locations across the USA. In 10 years I would love to see a few key global markets; Tokyo, Paris, Shanghai, Dubai etc. In 20 years, we will see lots of change and innovation; perhaps we will be utilizing 3D printing and some new fancy technology but our core values of empowering women through beauty will not change.

BusinessInterviews.com: Have you had any mentors or role models that have influenced you? Describe the impact.

Tirzah Shirai: Describe the impact. Elon Musk is an amazing innovator, Richard Branson a dynamic leader and Sheryl Sandberg is an incredible example of strength based leadership. I am an avid reader, there are over a thousand books that have shaped my views and perspective on business.

BusinessInterviews.com: Do you consider yourself successful and by what means do you measure success?

Tirzah Shirai: I do. I measure our success by the smiles on my employees faces, I know when they are happy they go above and beyond to make our clients happy- and that is always reflected in the bottom line.

BusinessInterviews.com: How do your competitors view you?

Tirzah Shirai: I am not sure. We are first to market when it comes to high end eyelash extensions so we don’t have “competitors” as of yet, I am sure it is just a matter of time. Eyelashes are difficult, you really have to get it all right.

BusinessInterviews.com: What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs and business owners? What do you wish someone told you?

Tirzah Shirai: Your success is always determined by the team you build, surround yourself with great people. Do what you love and the money will come, find that one thing that doesn’t feel like work to you- it is the only way you are going to put in those long hours required in the beginning.

BusinessInterviews.com: What’s the biggest risk that you’ve ever taken and how did it turn out?

Tirzah Shirai: Starting Blinkbar is up there for sure. I take a lot of risks all the time, it’s a big part of what will make you successful, knowing when to roll the dice.

BusinessInterviews.com: Anything else you’d like to comment on while we have you?

Tirzah Shirai: Surround yourself with people who are better than you; if you are the smartest person in the room-you are in the wrong room.