My second pop-up shop reminded me that running a small business is really about learning as you go.

This event was at the Johnston YMCA in NoDa, and it had that real neighborhood feel — families walking through, people stopping by between activities, vendors set up outside, and customers taking their time to look around. It felt local in the best way. Not overly polished. Not staged. Just real people, real conversations, and a chance to put Shariel's Lashes in front of the community.

Even though I had done a pop-up before a few years ago, this one felt completely different. This time, I came in thinking more about my brand, my table setup, my customer reactions, and what people actually wanted from Shariel's Lashes.

One thing that surprised me most was how interested people were in my products. Customers described my booth as cute, informative, and welcoming, which meant a lot because that is exactly the feeling I want my brand to give. I ended up making over $100 in sales, and that gave me a boost of confidence. It reminded me that people really do see value in what I'm building.

Some of the best-selling products that day were my Go Getter lashes, lash baths, and magnetic lashes. That helped me understand what customers are naturally drawn to when they see the products in person.

I also learned what I need to improve for future pop-ups. A lot of customers showed interest in more natural and shorter lash styles, along with clusters and individual lashes. That was helpful feedback because sometimes you think you know what people want, but being face-to-face with customers tells you so much more.

I also realized how important fully branded products and packaging are when you're trying to create a luxury experience. The details matter. The table setup, the bags, the product labels, the display, the way everything feels together — it all tells the customer what kind of brand they're buying from.

My booth setup taught me a few lessons too. I definitely should have brought the curtain poles because the full setup would have helped the table stand out more. Every event teaches you something, and this one showed me how much presentation can affect the overall customer experience.

Another big takeaway was that lash remover is a must-have for future events. Customers want easy and complete lash care options, not just the lashes themselves. That opened my eyes to how I can build out the full experience — lashes, lash baths, remover, application help, and care education.

The hardest part of the day was continuing to sell confidently after some people walked away uninterested. That part can be tough, especially when you care about what you're building. But I'm learning that every person is not your customer, and that's okay.

Overall, this pop-up helped me see growth in myself, my confidence, and my brand. I walked away with more sales, more feedback, and a clearer idea of what Shariel's Lashes can become.

Every event teaches me something new, and I'm excited to keep building and improving Shariel's Lashes one pop-up at a time.

Thank you to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority's Beta Omicron Sigma Chapter for hosting the Queen City Culture & Community Market and giving small Charlotte brands like Shariel's Lashes a place to grow.

Shop online: sharielslashes.com
Follow on Instagram: @Shariels_Lashes