Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mindy Louu, founder of First Class Beauty Co, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is First Class Beauty Co, a Cruelty-Free Cosmetic Line focusing on Makeup for All Skill Levels.
My customers are all makeup lovers that range from the age they start showing interest in makeup to seniors.
We also have non-makeup users that visit First Class Beauty Co to find the perfect gifts for makeup lovers. We offer gift cards and makeup with an added personal touch, giving you the option to add a name to our lip pencils, eyebrow trimmers, or our faux mink eyelash cases. We also cater to those that aren't into makeup with beauty accessories and travel bag essentials with a growing product line to look forward to in 2022.
There are constantly new makeup trends coming out; it's hard to keep up and perfect them as a woman on-the-go, or a makeup beginner. Our products simplify the process and make it effortless and FAST to apply. Once you have your makeup on- not everyone has the time to reapply throughout the day. First Class Beauty Co offers makeup you can rely on that is long-lasting, waterproof, and outlasts any elements. The ease and efficiency of our makeup bring our makeup beginners, and the quality, durability, and ingredients attract our Professional Makeup Artists.
Tell us about yourself
I've spent the last year growing First Class Beauty Co from the ground up. I had no business background, e-commerce, marketing, SEO, or web development knowledge. I started as a medical aesthetician, and for me, there were downfalls. For the majority of treatments, there was no immediate impact. Yes, you could leave with a glowing microdermabrasion session. I loved those. If you had acne scarring, you could have fantastic results after multiple sessions of IPL. I'm talking six sessions before you start to notice a difference (depending on the severity of the case). You leave a little red and swollen, and most clients get discouraged after not seeing an immediate impact. I disliked that.
I wasn't happy- I needed to make a change. I always loved makeup and would often be asked by my family or friends for my services! I did this because I loved it- it never crossed my mind I could make a career out of it. After lots of research, I was off Canada's Top College of Makeup and Artistry and Design. I had the best time in school and knew I was finally in the right place. As a makeup artist, I loved seeing my client's faces light up after seeing themselves in the mirror, showing off the final touches. It amazes me how the tiniest change can have a tremendous impact on not only a person's outer appearance but an even more substantial impact on how they feel on the inside. The confidence boost is unreal.
What came in as a shy, timid, introverted person left my makeup chair wanting to be seen and heard. How they felt on the inside shined through, and they now let the world see their inner beauty. Finally, I graduated. I got my diploma and was ready to get on a film set, make brides feel their best on their wedding day, and glam up every single person I encountered. Boom. Lockdown. One month, two months, three months. Where are all the people I want to apply makeup on? Being a makeup artist wasn't exactly a job I expected to have from the imprisonment of my condo.
I had to sit back and focus on what I loved. I loved helping people. I loved being that part of someone's life that empowered them and made them feel as confident, comfortable, and beautiful as possible. So I asked myself, "How can I apply my skills and help people from outside of my condo?"
It took me years of schooling to learn makeup, it's not easy, and it wasn't getting any easier for anyone with new trends coming out weekly. I had to think big- not everyone needs lessons, but everyone could use makeup products that are easy to apply. The main features in our makeup are effortless, durable, trustworthy, and, most importantly, cruelty-free.
I want everyone to experience that boost of confidence you get leaving a salon every time you leave your house. Everyone deserves to feel confident every day, and that's my motivation.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My first accomplishment as a business owner and HUMAN is waking up every day looking forward to doing my job. I'm so happy I found my passion, and my business doesn't feel like a business as much as it does a community.
When First Class Beauty Co started getting its first reviews, our customers would mention their makeup experience as easy, loving the ability to rock their favorite makeup trend, and how my makeup made them feel. My products were doing as I intended them to do. I know that will always be my grandest accomplishment- it's the solid base and positive reassurance I needed that First Class Beauty Co is in for a successful future.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing I've experienced as a business owner- especially a startup is knowing when to end your workday. I have a picture in my head of the "Final Product" of my business, and I use that in quotations because I know there will never be a "final product." First Class Beauty Co will forever be evolving and changing. I look at the tasks that I need to complete, the steps I need to do in order to take the business to the next level, meanwhile fulfilling orders, content creation, and so on.
It's hard to remind yourself and listen to yourself that you need to step back and still have a social life. If you don't step back and focus on other aspects of your life, you are going to burn yourself out. If that happens, that's going to be a huge fallback on your companies path to success.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Three Top Tips I'd like to give for Starting or Running a Business are
Don't Quit Your Day Job. Businesses COST MONEY. Don't get the engine running and then not have anything to fill the tank. Depending on the business, you won't always see positive revenue right away. If you run out of money to fuel your business, this could potentially be the reason your business fails.
Believe in yourself. Trust the process. Always remember the reason why you started the company in the first place. Know things take time- you won't end up on page one of Google overnight. Trust the Process, Put in the Work, Be Consistent. At the same time, keep track of your expenses, the time put in, and don't be too stubborn or set on your idea to not look out to others for advice or be open to change.
SHOP AROUND AND KEEP YOURSELF INFORMED- you will be flooded with people offering services that YOU DO NOT NEED and are way overpriced. They are sales workers, and they are good at their job. Know that most are offering promises they cannot keep. You can lose a lot of money and QUICK by these Instagram ads claiming to grow your business and sales emails offering a huge ROI overnight.
While you are doing your research on what services you need to make your company a success- check out Udemy (AND THE REVIEWS OF THE COURSES, SOME ARE SCAMS). You will be blown away by how easy and fast some of the tasks you have been outsourcing can be added to your schedule. This will save you a lot of money that you can use toward outsourcing time-consuming work that requires expertise.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Happiness over everything. Be realistic, but don't settle in a job you aren't happy with. When you start your business, the sky is the limit, and you are in control. Enjoy the process and learn every single step of the way- embrace it. There are no mistakes if you turn them into lessons! I am excited for you.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.firstclassbeautyco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstclassbeautyco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstclassbeautyco/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fcbeautyco
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firstclassbeautyco/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
