Wexford businesswoman shines as finalist at prestigious beauty awards

Wexford woman and Gorey-based entrepreneur Emma Furlong, owner of BLINK Lash & Brow Studio, is celebrating national recognition after being shortlisted as a finalist in the Image Magazine Business of Beauty Awards…

Emma describes her salon as one that “specialises in natural looking lash extensions, brow treatments and permanent makeup,” adding that she also runs “training courses in these treatments” and has developed her “own lash and brow brand.”

Speaking to Wexford Weekly about her recent nomination, she says:

“I was recently shortlisted as a finalist in the Image Magazine Business of Beauty Awards which is a huge honour to be able to represent Gorey amongst the biggest brands and businesses in the beauty industry. The award ceremony is in November so fingers crossed.”

Reflecting on her journey, Emma explains that her passion for beauty has been long in the making:

“I’ve spent the last 10+ years working in various fields in the beauty industry, from nails to advanced skin treatments, but I’ve always wanted to have my own business,” she told Wexford Weekly.

The inspiration behind BLINK came after becoming a mother:

“When I had my daughter 3 years ago I very quickly realised I no longer had a lot of time to spend getting ready. I wanted to wake up and look and feel my best (despite the lack of sleep!) without much effort. That’s where the idea for BLINK came from. I wanted to offer treatments that made everyday life more low maintenance.”

Emma admits that balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship hasn’t been easy:

“My biggest challenge in running a business has honestly been maintaining a work life balance. I try my best to be quite strict with my work hours to ensure I can spend as much time with my daughter as possible while still growing a business.”

Like many small business owners, Emma has also felt the effects of the ongoing cost of living crisis:

“I think the cost of living crisis has hit us all in some way, for me it’s the cost of products and obviously my own living expenses outside of work have gone up. I have built an amazing client base over the last 3 years who have stuck by me. I try my best to keep my prices as reasonable as possible for them. I think people have the impression when you are a small service provider that what you charge goes straight into your back pocket, but they forget about all the expenses that come along with running a business.”

When asked about her most popular service, Emma has became a staple name in the local lash extension industry. Despite that, she offers a range of other services too:

“Lash extensions are still my most popular treatment by far, it’s what I’m known for. I’m quite lucky in that all my treatments are equal enough in popularity that each day is quite varied. It can get repetitive doing the same treatment all day so it’s nice to mix it up with some brow laminations, lash lifts or permanent makeup here in between,” she told Wexford Weekly.

As for the future, Emma is brimming with ambition:

“I think I have too many ‘dreams’ for my own good! I’m constantly thinking of what’s next. I am trying to get better at relaxing and just enjoying where I am at. I would love to continue to grow my training academy and lash brand. Maybe hire staff and move into a bigger location? A girl can dream!”

With a growing client base, an expanding brand, and a national award nomination under her belt, Emma Furlong is proving that big dreams really can flourish in small towns.