We were lucky to catch up with Carrine Mann recently and have shared our conversation below.
Carrine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
I have my days where I wish I started my business sooner but I’m just glad I started it when I did. I started my business in July of 2020. I had in my mind I was going to start it in 2019 but I was going through a very rough brake up. I feel that brake up made me really want to stand on my business and do what makes me happy for once. I came across this business on instagram that had a wholesale program for lashes and lipgloss etc and I knew right there that was my sign to start my business. That’s where I met Daijha and she gave me the blueprint of being an entrepreneur and helped me with my business. I have to make sure I give her, her flowers for helping because if I didn’t meet her and have her give me the motivation I needed I don’t know where my business would be. She didn’t have to help me and take me in like a sister but she did and I appreciate her so much for that.
The only thing I would have changed is that I wish I didn’t let that relationship consume me like it did I was so worried about making it work. I push my dreams to the side but in the other hand it gave me the fuel I needed to start my business and I haven’t looked back since.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Carrine and I live in Rantoul, IL I am a single mother I have a beautiful daughter who is 12 years old. I have a cosmetic line called MinksByChyna. I sell lashes and lipglosses. I have been in business for 3 years and it has had its ups and downs but what business doesn’t. Everywhere I would go someone would stop me and ask “Who does your make up”? “Where do you get your lashes from”? “Who does your hair”?. When I would say “I do it myself” they just couldn’t believe it. One day I was just thinking I need to go into business for myself and give the girls what they have been asking for. I think what makes me stand out from other brands is that I’m very creative and anything I post or do will stand out. Especially coming from a small town where no one is really doing what I’m doing. Everyone wants to know who is this girl behind this business. I’m most proud of the customers I do have they go all out to tell others how great quality my lashes and lipgloss are. People can be very cruel just off jump and to have my customers supporting and helping me get my business out there just warms my heart. I have met some amazing people and have been giving opportunities I wouldn’t imagine, getting years ago. I want potential customers to know that my lashes and lipgloss are very great quality. I want when they put on my products to feel good about themselves and just feel sexy and that nobody can ruin your day when you have on MinksByChyna.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I built my audience on social media making instagram reels. I feel that instagram reels will help you grown your business big time. I feel that reels are seen and looked at more than just a regular post. I can post a reel and get 1K views in 5-10 minutes. I also post multiple times a day on my story and on my feed. Even if your not getting the likes or views you want trust me people are watching and they will catch on sooner or later. Do not let that bring you down and give up keep pushing yourself. My advice to new entrepreneurs please BE CONSISTENT! You have get get your brand out there, you have to post, make videos everyday. Nobody is going to go hard for your business if your not. I went on an adding spree, I added people who met my target audience and the people that didn’t follow back, I just unfollowed them and added more people. I had to learn the hard way I hardly post when I first stated my business. I only added people I knew and I saw my business wasn’t growing and I had to go back to the drawing board and think of a better strategy to grow my business.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had unlearn was stop thinking everyone you know will support just because they know you. I had to stop thinking that family and friends where going to support my business and get me to the level I need to be at as an entrepreneur. I can count on one hand of my family and friends who supported my business and actually brought from my business. I get way more support from people who don’t even know me than the people who do. I don’t take it personal like I used to, but I will always remember from day one the people who supported me even when I didn’t even have a website up yet.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.minksbychyna.com
- Instagram: MinksByChyna
- Other: TikTok: minksbychyna
Image Credits
Carrine Mann