How Lilly Ghalichi Went From Lawyer to Reality Star
Lilly Ghalichi is the petite super glam girl you’ve seen on many seasons of “Shahs of Sunset” on Bravo, and on just about every Instagram makeup page.
Celebs like Christina Aguilera and Kylie Jenner love her for her bomb ass lash line Lilly Lashes. What sets Lilly apart from just about any entrepreneur you’ve ever heard of is how she quit her job as a practicing lawyer to pursue her dreams in beauty in fashion.
Just think about all those years put into school just to be like, “this is definitely not for me.” If you want some major inspiration for how to follow your dreams regardless of the haters, check out our Q+A below.
What made you join the beauty industry?
I have always had a love and passion for makeup, beauty and fashion. I began designing my own clothes as a young girl, and I was always told I “wore too much makeup” (I’ve always loved to cake it on!).
My parents once told me if you love what you do, it isn’t really work. As I sat in my office one day, I realized I hated my life because I hated what I did — law. So, I quit my job and decided to take my parent’s advice and work doing something I love. They were right, I work 1000 times as hard today, but I love what I do, so I can’t get enough of work!
How did “Lilly Lashes” come about?
As a glam girl myself, I found myself very disappointed with all the lashes on the market. I would stack 2 or 3 pairs to get the look I wanted. It was expensive, and uncomfortable; so, one day I decided to make my own lash that was super full and glam so that I only had to wear 1 pair to get the look I wanted. After I made it, all my makeup artists starting asking for it to use on their other clients, and before I knew it, Lilly Lashes was born.
Would you ever join reality television again? Why or why not?
Never. It wasn’t for me. It’s very difficulty being on a reality TV show, and I’m not emotionally equipped for it lol. It drains you, emotionally, and therefore makes it difficult for you to have normal relationships, friendships, or even a regular work schedule. I love my fiancé, my family, my friends and my businesses too much to be on TV!
When you decided to start your company, what was your biggest fear and how did you overcome it?
My biggest fear was failure, embarrassment, rejection. I think that’s everyone’s fear. “What if people hate it?” I thought to myself, you know what, what if people LOVE it. Everyone has fears, and everything you do has risks. Many thinks I have done have in fact failed, and that’s ok, keep working until something you do succeeds!
Where do you see your company in the upcoming years?
We are expanding, quickly! The Ghalichi Glam label already has a clothing line (WantMyLook.com), a Lash Line (LillyLashes.com), and we are going to expand into cosmetics and makeup tools in 2017. Get ready! Lilly Lashes is my baby, so we are expanding quite a bit internally as well, launching many new exciting collections and tools.
What tips do you have for young women entrepreneurs?
DO IT! Don’t be afraid, the worst thing that can happen is you fail and you are right back to being where you are today, before you started. Chances are, you will succeed, imagine how sweet that will be….
Do you have any upcoming projects you’re working on that you’d like to share?
Yes! Always. We are releasing the “Wedding Lash”, as well as a collection of lashes made specifically for MEN! It’s going to be sexy.
What’s something about you that many people don’t know?
Many people my not know that I’m actually engaged, and will be married in May, woohoo! I have kept my relationship pretty private, and I must say it is much sweeter that way.
What do you want your supporters to take from this interview?
I would love to inspire everyone reading this to follow their dreams. You are capable of so much, you just have to believe in yourself and START!
Photography by Tibor Golob
