U.S.-Based Deka Lash Expands into Canada with Its First International Deal

Founded in 2011 in Shadyside, Pennsylvania (just outside Pittsburgh) by Jennifer and Michael Blair, Deka Lash, which began franchising in 2016, is expanding into Canada in its first international deal.

The brand's first international franchisees - Mushabbir and Shama Kaiser Chowdhury and Sandra and Sharif Elhilali - will open studios in the Greater Toronto area.

To date, Deka has awarded more than 200 franchises in the United States, with 81 studios now open in 26 states. The membership-based brand began its international franchising effort in June 2019. The Chowdhurys and Elhilalis are its first cross-border franchisees.

"In just 3 years, Deka Lash is well on its way," said Michael Blair, co-founder and CEO of Look Good Brands, parent company of Deka Lash. "It is now time to make Deka Lash a global brand."

Deka Lash studios are retail salons where lash artists apply semi-permanent, custom eyelash extensions. In 2019, Deka Lash was #138 on Entrepreneur magazine's Fastest-Growing Franchises Ranking, which lists its investment level as $179,000 to $426,000 (U.S. dollars).