We recently connected with Altoria Brown and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Altoria, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

I started my business WinkLilly Beauty my sophomore year in college in 2017. It was the hardest year for me academically and challenging personally with family and friends back home. I felt challenged in all angles of life and the one thing that brought me relief was doing my makeup, styling my hair and masking what I was dealing with internally. I started my business wanting to supply others with products to help them feel and look beautiful no matter what they were experiencing internally. I can’t really imagine if I had started it sooner because until I experienced what I did, I hadn’t thought deep into the power of beauty products. If I did start sooner, I imagine it would’ve only been a spirit of the moment thing. I’m glad I started as a college student and not later in my adult life because although I took some financial loses and learned some tough lessons, I could only imagine that as an adult those lessons financially would have been at a larger expense and the lessons may have been tougher. My business also gave me something else to focus on and kept me from having too many distractions. If I had started later, I’m not sure of what I would have put all of my energy and focus I put into the business into. I had already tried different organizations and the ROTC program in college my freshmen year and nothing stuck, but my business did. I’m for sure glad I started my business when I did and didn’t put off the business or start it prematurely without a wholehearted initial purpose. I wouldn’t change anything about when I started and how.

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.

My passion for beauty started during my childhood years. I would style my own, my family members, school mates and friends hair. I learned how to do my full face of makeup the summer before my 10th grade year of high school for The National American Miss Pageant I competed and placed in. I studied Cosmetology in high school at Garrett Academy of Technology and graduated with my diploma and Cosmetology license in 2016. My admiration for how confident beauty products made me feel after applying them no matter how I felt internally and the compliments I received while wearing them prompted me to sell beauty products with the hope of spreading that same feeling and confidence. WinkLilly Beauty and The Beauty Bar by WLB represent confidence, passion and purpose. WinkLilly Beauty is my product based business which I offer beauty products like lipglosses, lipsticks, false lashes, hair extensions, hair wigs, hair care products, skin care products, beauty tools and beauty accessories. Through The Beauty Bar by WLB I provide beauty services as a Licensed Cosmetologist to include Makeup Services, Wig Installations, Sew-Ins, Natural Hairstyling, Hair Coloring, Quick Weaves, Braids, Facial Waxing, Eyebrow Threading and Eyebrow Tint services.
WinkLilly Beauty is most known for my pigmented and smooth lip glosses, stylish mink lashes, infamous hair growth oil and long lasting and silky hair extensions. The services I specialize in include Soft Glam Makeup, Makeup Classes, Wig Installs, Sew-Ins, Eyebrow Threading and Eyebrow Tinting. As a brand what sets me apart is the pride I take in my customer service and customer interactions. I go above and beyond to be sure that with each sale and each service my customers and clients feel encouraged, important, confident and not rushed. As a brand I’m set-apart by my marketing campaigns and messages, product names, product ingredients and special service offerings that add a feel of luxury at no extra cost. Brand wise, I’m most proud of focusing on purpose and connection rather than sales exclusively. I continue to strive to make the experience for customers and clients simple and luxurious by narrowing down offerings, perfecting the products and services I offer while continuing to provide all that’s needed to feel beautiful. No matter how my clients and customers come into The Beauty Bar by WLB or feel when shopping with WinkLilly Beauty after receiving their service and products, they feel confident. I would love for all readers to know that WinkLilly Beauty and The Beauty Bar by WLB is always welcoming new clients, customers and inquiries and well as welcoming loyal and returning clients to spread the confidence, purpose and goodness shared through each product sold and service completed.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I use an email list and email marketing mainly to keep in touch with my clients and customers. I’ve recently implemented a new rewards point program for all of my service clients to earn rewards and money discounts for each service received.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

I sell on my own website. The pros are that I have more control over the website layout, pricing and to have ads or not have advertisements, etc. More pros include receiving full payment, besides card processing fees with each purchase I don’t have to pay extra platform fees with each sell. Some cons include the fact that I am responsible for fully bringing clients and customers to my website versus having a large platform display my product or services in recommended searches, ads and suggestions. I choose to have my own website and find other means to market and connect with clients and customers rather than depend on other platforms to connect me with my ideal client or customer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.winklillybeauty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winklillybeauty
• Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/thebeautybarbywlb
• Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/winklillybeauty