Why I Became a Business Owner. It's the lack of diversity for me.

Why I became a business owner is more of how I became a Black Woman and Solopreneur of Cosmetics & Eyebrows Atelier. #blackbusinessmonth2022

In 2017 I was working part-time as a Brand Rep for multiple brands inside Ulta Beauty stores in Wisconsin and Illinois. The product categories that I represented were makeup, hair, and skincare. A few of the brands I worked for included Dermablend Pro, Flawless by G.U. (before she relaunched), Covergirl, GHD (Good Hair Day), and a handful of others. Each brand that I represented was different but oftentimes, the training wasn't extensive, not hands-on, nor did the brands send samples to the Reps to try prior to our assignment in Ulta so

I had to tap into my cosmetology background to learn about the product ingredients, the history of the brand, and who their target demographic was.

You see a lot of the Brand Reps and Ulta team members were not POC nor licensed professionals in the beauty industry, and the brands that I represented were not developed with Black and Brown people in mind. While I was working I noticed POC struggling to find products, being ignored by sales associates, or/and returning makeup products that didn't work for them. The funny thing is, they'd come back a week later, buy a similar product and return it the following week. Once I saw their pattern, I thought to myself, 'What can I do to help?' As a Brand Rep, I was responsible for demonstrating how their products work but as a professional Cosmetologist who was dressed like an Ulta team member, customers started coming to me for help - that help turned into a project. The project was "The Beauties In Color Here Everyday" where I found Black and Brown POC brands inside and outside of Ulta and shared them on INSTAGRAM and YOUTUBE.

Week by week, I found brands and added them to my Instagram page then when I was inside of Ulta doing my job, when a POC asked me for help, I obliged and insisted they follow the Instagram page. That page helped them discover more brands that they didn't even know existed. Eventually, brands started sending me PR kits and I filmed and produced videos, wrote for more brands, and also hosted IG LIVE interviews with the brand owners. The response I got was so positive. The amount of 'thank you's was and still feels amazing.

Then 4 years later I was at my full-time job, sitting in front of a computer. I looked around and I felt an overwhelming emotion of sadness and no hope within that position or at that company.

Here I was sitting on a Bachelors of Art, 2 Cosmetology licenses, a Social Media Marketing Certificate, a Microblading Certification, a Tattoo license, and endless support. I put in my 2 weeks' notice right then and there. Working at a job that doesn't fulfill me emotionally was not my ending. I found a salon suite in Illinois near the Ulta I once worked inside of as a Brand Rep, then created my business "Cosmetics & Eyebrows Atelier LLC".

Cosmetics & Eyebrows Atelier is an extension of "The Beauties In Color Here Everyday". I still wear, share, collaborate, and interview Black and Brown POC business owners. When a client comes to me for an appointment, they aren't just receiving a service, they are receiving professional advice, tips, and recommendations on product and services. My clientele is diverse, but I will always push for POC brands created by Black and Brown individuals because there is a lack of representation. It's been a year and a half since I have been open and my reviews are positive and uplifting to myself and those who are seeking services. So now you know the how and why I became a business owner.

#blackbusinessmonth2022