WOMEN THAT INSPIRE: Daniela Saqri

Q&A

What risk changed your life?

The biggest risk I ever took was leaving the classroom.

I was a teacher for nine years. My days were filled with tiny chairs, morning circles, learning how to read, and watching little humans slowly grow into themselves. Teaching was never just a job to me. It was a huge part of who I was and who I thought I would always be.

At the same time, something else was quietly growing in the background. In 2020, I started doing lashes on the side after school, on weekends, and during breaks. At first, it was simply something creative that brought me joy after long days in the classroom.

Over time, I fell in love with the artistry and the detail, and the way something so small could make someone feel so confident.

In the summer of 2023, after saying goodbye to my last class of kindergartners, I decided to take the leap and pursue lashes full-time. It was one of the scariest and hardest decisions I have ever made, but it was also the moment I truly started trusting myself and the path I was building.

What’s something you built from nothing?

My education.

During my time as a teacher, I was involved in curriculum development for both my school and district. I loved building lessons, breaking down complex ideas, and helping people truly understand something new. Coaching other teachers and collaborating on curriculum were things I always enjoyed beyond the classroom.

When I started teaching lash artists, I approached it the same way.

I noticed many artists struggled with mapping and styling because they were shown techniques, but not always the reasoning behind the design. The way education was often approached lacked a clear method or process. Lash artistry is art, and art can feel abstract, especially for artists who are trying to recreate a look they see online.

I wanted to bring more structure to that creativity. A method to the madness of artistry.

So I started sketching maps, creating diagrams, and organizing my ideas into systems that would help artists understand not just how to recreate a style, but why it works.

What started as notes and drawings for my students slowly turned into structured trainings and mapping methods that artists could apply across many styles. Over time, artists began traveling from different states, and even from other countries, to train with me.

That still humbles me, because it all started with simple sketches in a notebook and a desire to help people truly understand their craft.

What did you have to forgive yourself for? 

For a long time, I had to forgive myself for leaving teaching.
When you spend years working with children, you build real connections with them. Saying goodbye to that part of my life was marked by a lot of guilt because I loved my students deeply.

It took me a while to realize that I had not actually left teaching behind. I just found a different classroom.

Now I get to empower lash artists. I help them understand their craft, embrace their creativity, and build something meaningful for themselves. Watching someone gain confidence in their artistry gives me the same joy I used to feel when one of my students finally understood something they had been struggling with.

Helping people grow has always felt like a big part of my purpose. Even when I was teaching, I used to say that part of my soul’s journey in this life was to give back and help others become the best version of themselves.

What would your little self think of you?

She would be surprised, but really proud.

As a kid, I loved creating things, working with my hands, and helping people learn. I did not realize back then that those two things would eventually come together in my career.
If my younger self could see me now developing lash designs, building educational programs, teaching artists from different parts of the world, and being asked to speak at conferences alongside other industry leaders, I think she would be amazed that something so creative has become real life.

More than anything, I think she would be proud that I dared to follow something that I built from nothing with my own hands and heart, even when the path was not the most traditional one.

How has this industry helped you find your voice?

This industry allowed me to fully embrace both sides of who I am, the artist and the educator.

When I started sharing my work and teaching my techniques online, I realized many artists were seeking education that truly explained the rationale behind lash design.

Because of my background in teaching and curriculum development, breaking things down in a clear, structured way felt very natural to me. Over time, I realized I could bring something unique to this industry by blending creativity with education and helping artists truly understand their craft.

In many ways, this industry brought me back to what I have always loved most: helping people learn, grow, and believe in what they are capable of.

Dani is one of LBLA’s lead trainers—don’t miss the chance to join her classes!