We were lucky to catch up with ALYSSA SPACE recently and have shared our conversation below.
ALYSSA, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
ForHerCosmetics was started originally as a beauty blog on Instagram in 2017. Then blossomed into my mothers dirt room as a small workspace where I made natural lipsticks. After a year and a half of working day and in day out as a fulltime Quality assurance chemist and part time entrepreneur, I grew out of my workspace. I then moved into a 300 sq ft lab space in November 2019 in Detroit where I began mass manufacturing and teaching chemistry classes. I started this company as a beauty blog for women of color to highlight the beauty in black women but I wanted to do more. I wanted to use my knowledge of natural skin care and chemistry to make a beauty brand like no other. I knew there was a need for a brand that was 1 transparent about the ingredients they use and 2 offered beautiful cosmetic options for darker skin. I always struggled finding makeup that really fit my skin complexion and really made me feel beautiful. ForHer is literally for me, a brand that created a platform for women like me that celebrated my melanin. That made me feel included, and seen yet special.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hey yall, I’m Alyssa aka YoFavBeautyChemist and I formulate all natural, vegan and cruelty free cosmetics. I studied Chemistry in college at Michigan State University where I earned my Bachelors of Science! I worked in quality assurance in the automotive industry for a few years and realized I wasn’t living to my full potential as a chemist, influencer and human. I began making cosmetics in my mother’s dirt room in 2017 then launched my brand on Mother’s Day 2018. Ever since I’ve launched it has been a journey of discovery, growth, discipline and perseverance. I am a scientist but I consider myself a creative because I create beauty in an empirical way. I currently offer handmade natural cosmetics: lipstick, lip gloss, mineral highlighter, eyeshadow, foundation, lashes, hand sanitizer and customized stickers. I work to create unity amongst women through beauty while also creating a safe space for future scientist to explore Chemistry through Cosmetics. My brand is more than beauty, I am women empowerment, education and science. We aren’t like any other cosmetic line and plan to shake the beauty and education industries.
Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?
First things first! Money matters. And financial literacy matters even more. Understanding your numbers, credit, loans and just money in general will be the determining factor between those who float and those who sink. It can be uncomfortable but whats more uncomfortable then running out of money. I have never missed a payroll in the past two years (thank God) since I’ve been running it however there was a close call right when the pandemic started and I was shook. I didn’t have business credit, much personal credit, no loan access and little education on obtaining capital at that time. My business lost so much revenue when we couldn’t do pop ups in person because of the pandemic. And this experience truly taught me the importance of cash flow and understanding my month to month finances. I will never let my baby die, before I get to a certain threshold I will evaluate the things that I can change in order to keep my business alive. I will always look for grants, look for ways to bring in extra cash flow, keep my credit score high and credit availability open. Entrepreneurship is truly a game of chess and you must always know your next move.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’m moving across the country! Yes I know I have an entire business and establishment in Detroit. But it’s time to pivot and expand. My business is doing well in Detroit with my current staff and team and will continue to flourish. However, I have a vision bigger than just metro Detroit. I am now in the process of opening a beauty bar in Phoenix Arizona, by 2nd quarter of 2023 and opening a business school in southern California by Summer 2025. ForHerCosmetics will always have her flagship lab and home in Detroit, but in order to grow you have to take risks. I realize now that chances truly make champions and I am ready for this next level in my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.forhercosmetics.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/forhercosmetics
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/forhercosmetics
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/forhercosmetics
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/forhercosmetics
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/forhercosmetics
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/for-her-cosmetics-detroit
- Other: https://linktr.ee/forhercosmetics
Image Credits
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