We were lucky to catch up with Jamie Grady recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jamie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Launching my first business at 25 has definitely been the biggest learning experience for me. I had always had a dream that I would have my own cosmetics company, but no idea where to start. Around 19 or 20, I had a lightbulb moment that I should create my own lip product line, as my makeup clients were consistently emphasizing how much they loved the lip colors that I had chosen for them.

Over the years of pondering the idea, I kept a running list of classic shades and tones, browsed Pantone swatches, and read through cosmetic ingredient dictionaries, continuing to dream of how amazing my products could be.

Early 2022, I began consulting with a laboratory in northeast US to help me with my very own line of lippies, which is now XOXO Jamie. During the first couple months I did all the not-as-fun stuff such as my LLC formation and local business licenses.

For months following, the lab and I shipped samples back and forth, and chose every variable of every product down to the exact color, formula, and packaging, but unbeknownst to me as a first-timer, that was the easy part! Once my final production was in the works, I began to realize that the only potential customers I had at that point were my mom and sister.

I needed to begin my website, social medias, figure out how I was going to actually sell and ship the products out, and all the logistics. It was a dash to the finish line, but thankfully I have an amazing network of friends in all places such as photography, graphic design, website coding, and social media marketing.

I was able to launch June 9, 2023, and I have seen great success and learned so many lessons!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The beauty industry is all I have ever known. Since as long as I can remember, I have wanted nothing more than to have my own cosmetics line. When the idea began, I had not the first clue how I would get there, but I never stopped dreaming and moving forward.

During high school, I started to get a grasp for what I needed to get where I wanted to be. Once I graduated high school, I dual enrolled in Valdosta State University as a chemistry major as well as a local technical school that offered cosmetic esthetics. For quite a while, I (and several others) definitely thought I was crazy, but again, I never stopped dreaming.

Once I got my esthetician license, I began managing a waxing salon and soon after, I had the opportunity to work alongside the owner while she opened another business. I learned all the ins and outs of starting a business from scratch, and for the first time, I finally felt like I could do it myself!

A couple years later, I finished my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, moved to Austin, TX, began my first laboratory job doing microbiological testing for cosmetics, gained some experience, and went for my dream!

At this point, it is my goal for all of my customers to know the level of passion that I have poured into this company thus far, and I will continue to do so as it grows into more and more products!

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Though I have plans to establish my own formulation lab for XOXO Jamie’s future products, for now, I use a US-based cosmetics formulator.

I shopped around for the right lab for no less than four years! I knew I had landed in the right place when I found a company that fulfilled all of my personal qualifications (they literally do it all!) as well as standard formulation practices such as quality assurance, FDA compliance, and GMP certification. The collaboration with my manufacturer has been nothing short of amazing. The chemists and customer service gals are so beyond patient and helpful.

Something interesting that I have learned along the manufacturing process of my lip product line is that more specific ingredient combos need to be chosen to increase the temperature stability. Since a majority of my customers live in regions with warmer clients, the chemists and I had to work up a formula that would not melt in the summer heat, especially if accidentally left behind in the car!

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

As silly as it may seem, two books that totally changed my philosophy related to decision-making are “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” and “What You Think of Me is None of My Business”. Both titles make me giggle, and I believe both speak for themselves.

I spent so many years of my life wondering and worrying about what others thought of me or the decisions I made. I would always ask opinions from my peers and research things that had previously done to make sure what I was doing would be successful, until I realized that doing it MY way is what made it unique. Reading these two definitely flipped that switch and honestly gave me so much freedom and confidence that whatever I choose to do, as long as I believe it to be my best work and effort, is all that matters.

To nail it down, a quote from Darren Hardy, “Never ask advice of someone with whom you wouldn’t want to trade places.” If it is something that YOU want, go for it, and make a reality out of it, exactly the way YOU dreamed it.

Contact Info:

• Website: xoxojamie.com
• Instagram: @xoxojamiegrady
• Facebook: XOXO Jamie

Image Credits
Mink Made – Hannah Koehler