Lovely Lash Company

WEST FARGO, ND - Brea Binstock doesn’t back down from a challenge. She completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in communications, while also completing overseas deployments with the North Dakota Army National Guard. Brea has served in the Guard for 23 years and currently serves as the First Sergeant of HHC 164 EN BN located in Minot, ND. She’s also a busy wife and mom.

So, while opening a new business during the COVID-19 pandemic was a unique challenge, she and her business partner were determined that nothing would stop them.

Prior to opening her business, Brea held human resources and leadership positions in government and business. These positions, her college degree, and her experience in the Guard, established a great foundation for her entrepreneurial endeavors.

Even so, she turned to SBA resource partner, Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Dakotas, for help developing a business plan. “You don’t know what you don’t know,” says Brea. “It’s wonderful to have this team of amazing experts to help you!”

Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) offer mentorship and training to service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members, and military spouses interested in starting and growing a small business. 

Brea’s mentor at VBOC of the Dakotas helped her with a marketing plan and connected her with a team of SBA resource partners who, together, helped her find next steps for business growth.

Every phase of business ownership is accompanied by new challenges as well as triumphs. You don’t have to go it alone. Mentors can provide valuable advice, an objective second opinion, and encouragement when you need guidance, honesty, or a little push. SBA’s partner organizations – Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE Mentors, and Small Business Development Centers – offer no-cost and confidential business advising.  They provide similar services with different areas of expertise.

Brea opened the doors of Lovely Lash Company, a luxury lash boutique in West Fargo, ND, in November 2020 and has not looked back. She continues to work with her team of SBA resource partners for support, trustworthy tools and resources, and connections within the business community.

"The SBA has been such a valuable resource to us here at Lovely Lash Company," said Brea. "Being able to reach out to them, whether it be for a business plan, a cashflow plan, am I on the right track, am I looking at the right things, as well as marketing or even next level, they have all been there to support us."

Learn more about her small business story at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHfaCVOZU-g.