We all face hardships and difficult times in our lives. But some of us are unfortunate enough to go through real, heart-breaking tragedies.
On this tear-jerking but inspiring episode of Lessons of a Lashpreneur, Sonya Raubeson from Eye Love Beauty shares her remarkable story about how she was able to find the strength and sheer determination to transform tragedy into something truly inspiring.
This episode deserves your undivided attention. But, just to put a disclaimer out there, you should probably grab a few tissues for this one!
{If you want to listen to the podcast episode on this topic, click on the player at the top of the post. Alternatively you can watch the video below, or read on…}
A Heart-Breaking Tragedy…
Sonya is the founder of Eye Love Beauty and specializes in eyelash extensions and services that do not compromise the health of natural lashes. From the outside, Sonya looks like a real ‘lash fairy’ with her impeccable style and million-dollar smile. However, Sonya has experienced one of the worst tragedies that a parent can face. The loss of her son, Chase Passauer.
Chase was the victim of gun violence and passed at the young age of 23. He was pursuing a career in law and was an adventurous man with a passion for karate, sports, snowboarding, theater and, above all, his family and friends.
When Sonya received the news of what happened, she was devastated. Before the tragedy, she was excited to travel and explore new places. But afterwards, she found herself reluctant to step on a plane or stay in a hotel room by herself.
To make matters worse (or better), she was laid off her job just five weeks after her son was killed. Instead of giving up, Sonya decided to start her own lash business. She was always a fan of lashes because they made her feel good about herself and she wanted to help ignite that same feeling in others.
“I thought that, if it made me feel good in my darkest moment, maybe I can help make other people feel good too. That’s something that’s in my heart and is super important to me.”
Changing Your Perspective
Maybe you’re going through some hardships in your own life right now. Perhaps you’ve got something tough happening in your personal life that’s making you feel down, upset or downright angry. Whatever it is, I hope that Sonya’s inspirational story helps to give you a different perspective on things.
I know that when I went through a miscarriage, the grieving process of that loss is what shifted the trajectory of my life to make my daughter’s life matter. She was never a part of this world. We don’t have memories with her. We don’t have her picture smiling back at us on the wall. We don’t have her toys or things to pick up and let them bring us back to a happy moment we shared together.
We all handle loss and grief differently. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve. One person’s loss is not worthier of grief than someone else’s. We all go through things that knock us down. But, it’s up to us to stand back up again. Just like we did when we were kids.
After losing her son, Sonya could’ve taken the victim path, and nobody would’ve blamed her or gave her a hard time in doing so. But, she didn’t. Instead, she made her life a reflection of what could have and should have been for him. She knew that it would be an injustice for her son if she cowered away and didn’t live her life to the fullest.
Are you chasing your passion? #CHASEPASSION
For her LLC, Sonya wanted to choose something that represented her son in the best way possible. So, she took his initials and first name to come up with Chase Passion. Chase Passion was the driving force behind everything Sonya did for her business and personal life.
She wakes up every morning and thinks about the message that she’s going to share and how she will help others feel beautiful both inside and out.
“My goal is to touch, influence and inspire others through beauty on a daily basis.”
Although you may not have experienced tragedy on the same level as Sonya, we all have our baggage. We’re all facing issues, and although they may not seem like a ‘big deal’ to others, they’re a big deal to us.
As difficult as it is to see the silver lining in a tragedy as severe and heart-breaking as Sonya’s, it’s often true that loss can be a huge motivator to overcome the fears that holds you back. You gain a new perspective on everything: life, death, your career. When you lose someone that’s so special to you, it makes you realize just how precious time is.
You and I are not guaranteed tomorrow. So, make the most out of today. Take the next step to create or do something that you didn’t think you were capable of.
Prove to yourself and nobody else that you CAN do it.
If you’re going through something that’s difficult for you, you don’t have to do it alone. Even if you can’t find the support you need from friends or family, there are people out there that care.
Take Sonya as an example. She joined The Lashpreneur Society because she wanted to grow her lash business. But, in doing so, she also joined a community of compassionate people that care about not only her business, but her story. And, her story has inspired many of you (me included) to keep going with your lash business.
When your tomorrow doesn’t come, you’re only held accountable for your own life. It won’t matter what strangers on the internet thought about you or your ambitions. It won’t matter that your last post on Instagram didn’t get as many likes as you hoped. None of it will matter. All that will matter is how you chose to live your life and the memories you made with the people you love.
Everyone has a purpose, and you don’t have to wait for a major catalyst to start you on your journey.
You can live your purpose at any time. You can live your purpose right now. Look around – nobody will stop you if you don’t let them. And yes, that means getting out of your own way too!
If you want to find out more about Sonya and her incredible business, you can visit her website eyelovebeauty.net and follow her on Instagram @eyelovebeautycoralsprings
Have a Good One!
Tara Walsh
The Lashpreneur
