A love for making women feel beautiful and confident has led Springfield native Genesis Bennett, also known as GeBe, into business ownership.

At her salon, GeBeautique, Bennett offers services such as eyelash extension training courses, eyebrow tinting, eyelash extensions, makeup application and waxing.

Since opening the salon at 917 Clocktower Drive in 2021, Bennett said she feels free.

"When you're working and love what you do, it's almost like you're doing it for fun. I'm so happy I chose this career path for myself."

Bennett, 28, said she had always been creative and artsy. Makeup was just another avenue. She found her passion for the beauty business five years ago at Ulta and wanted to extend her skills to include brows, facials, waxing and body treatments.

"I started at Ulta servicing clients. It made me feel like this is what I want to do. I love helping make women feel beautiful and confident," Bennett said.

Keneisha Boozer has been a client of Bennett's for more than five years. She regularly gets brow waxing and tinting, occasional makeup applications, and lash extensions.

"It's a confident booster, even when people already feel good about themselves," said Boozer, principal at Feitshans Elementary School. "Having that extra thing that makes you feel ladylike, it's a good feeling to have."

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Bennett eventually enrolled in school to become an esthetician in 2020.

University of Spa and Cosmetology Arts esthetics instructor Susan Wyatt said the demand for eyelash extensions and eyebrow waxing and tinting has grown so much that there's a waiting list into next year for the esthetician program.

"Lashes are really popular," Wyatt said.

Bennett opened her shop after completing school.

"I've seen growth since day one. My clientele has grown tremendously. People come from all over to see me to get their lashes done," Bennett said. "I'm also on StyleSeat. That helps me with booking because if you go on StyleSeat my page automatically pops up."

Boozer can attest to Bennett's growing clientele.

"She actually has a diverse clientele and I think that's important to recognize during these times. It provides a great service to our community," Boozer said.

Bennett has used her beauty brand  to train other lash technicians and brow experts.

"When you have a gift I feel like it is given to you for you to share it," Bennet said. "I knew I was talented and skilled at what I do as far as lashes and brows and things of that sort. So why not introduce someone else to the opportunity? Why not show someone else how they can build their own brand and be their own boss?"

Amoriya Jordan was trained by Bennett as a lash technician almost a year ago. After training, Jordan opened Amore Lash Luxxe salon.

She said Bennett made the training process easy by demonstrating techniques and she was able to catch on fast.

Bennett also assisted Jordan in the beginning stages of her business.

"She helped with mentorship and any questions. I know I can always come to her. She also helped me with a few business ideas and strategies to bring in clients," Jordan said.

She described Bennett as really genuine.

"When you work with her just know you'll always have a longtime friend or longtime mentorship," Jordan said. "I've been doing this for a year. Sometimes, you have questions, and still to this day, I can text her, 'Hey I need help with this set' or 'Is there a way you think this will be easier' and she always helps. She still shares my posts about me doing lashes."

While her business has grown mostly by word of mouth, referrals, and training other lash technicians, Bennett said she has larger ambitions.

"I want to be global. Eventually, I want to sell products for lashes and brow products. As well as clothing for estheticians and lash techs," Bennett said." I want multiple shops throughout the U.S. I see myself being big."

Contact Royale Bonds: rbonds@gannett.com, twitter.com/@Royale59699722.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield esthetician opens her own salon and builds beauty brand