We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Fernanda Barragan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Fernanda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I did not come up with the idea for this business. This is the most brutally honest I can be. My business started because my first client believed in me more than I believed in myself—at least, at that time. To this day, that client is still my biggest, and now, a close friend.

Back in 2018, I was commuting almost two hours each way to work at a large beauty company. Over time, I started to feel like my morals and the company’s did not align. I was managing my client’s account, and she, too, felt the same way about the company. That’s when I made the decision to leave.

The CFO of my client’s company waited until I had handed in my resignation, and then, out of nowhere, he asked me, “Are you on a contract? Are you ready to work on your own?” I was young—naive, even—and had no idea what that meant. Was I ready? What was he asking? Everything echoed in my head, but all I could muster was a very shaky, “Yes.”

Without missing a beat, he said, “Grab your portfolio and meet me in Vegas.” This was November of 2019.

So, I did just that. I packed my portfolio, grabbed every sample I could find, and—no joke—came up with my very first pitch on the drive to Vegas. We met at a restaurant inside a casino. The table was covered in makeup, and I had a cocktail in hand, trying to calm my nerves. I was terrified. To make it even more nerve-wracking, my sister was discreetly stalking me from a few tables away, like a protective hawk. It felt like a first date—LOL!

Now, here we are: a few million dollars later in sales, hundreds of thousands of makeup products produced, and we’re still growing and learning.

I started this business because I wanted to help brands, and because my clients believed in me. That’s why it all began. That’s why it worked. And that’s why we are still growing today. I will forever be incredibly grateful for that belief, and for every step of this journey.

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.

I’m just a small-town girl, who loves her family, is proud of where she comes from, and wants nothing more than to build something that will last for generations. My love for makeup goes far beyond just the finished product. It’s about the entire journey—the timeline, the machinery we use, the science behind it, and, of course, the incredible people who make up this industry. I am deeply passionate about creating a manufacturing process that is easier, more accessible, and more attainable for upcoming and existing brands. My goal is to break down the barriers to entry, making it possible for more brands to thrive.

I’ve been in the beauty industry for ten years now, and I’ve had my own business since 2019. I started this business because I saw a huge gap in the market. The existing manufacturers in this industry are massive conglomerates, and the Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) and costs they charge brands are simply outrageous. Beauty was designed to be different. We’re not just here to fill products; we’re here to be an extended, silent team for our clients.

We provide full-service guidance throughout the entire process—not just the filling. From the branding and product concept to formula creation, packaging sourcing, manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and testing, we support our clients through every single step. We’re there from start to finish, ensuring a seamless journey and helping them cross the finish line with confidence.

What truly sets us apart is our ability to offer feasibility with MOQs as low as 500 units. We provide turnkey solutions in cosmetics, skincare, and personal care products, making it easier for brands to bring their ideas to life without the heavy financial burden.

At Beauty, we take great pride in the variety of solutions we can offer in the personal care industry. We are always ready to go above and beyond for our clients and will never tell a brand that their dream product is impossible. We believe in making those dreams a reality—no matter how ambitious they may seem.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I firmly believe that the most effective way to retain and grow your client base is by how you treat your current clients. The majority of my clients have stayed with us because the relationship has evolved from purely professional to personal—we’ve gone from being business partners to friends. This deep connection is at the heart of everything we do. I’m not just here to provide a service; I’m here to advocate for my clients, to be their safety net, and to act as their goalie, protecting their success and ensuring that they achieve their goals.

The realization that true business success comes from our human connections is inevitable. It’s not just about transactions; it’s about trust, loyalty, and a genuine commitment to one another. We operate strictly in the B2B space, and I’m incredibly grateful for the network that we’ve built through word-of-mouth referrals. Our clients and friends—those who have experienced our services firsthand—have become our most valuable source of new business. Their advocacy has been a true blessing, and it’s a testament to the strength of the relationships we’ve cultivated over time.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I like to refer to all product developers as expert pivot ballerinas—and for good reason! I have yet to work on a project where the initial concept is the same as the final product. In the world of manufacturing, brands pivot at any point during the process—and we completely welcome this flexibility! Changes can arise at any stage of development, whether due to evolving trends, the introduction of new or desired ingredients, cost considerations, or even changes in the desired product effects.

Pivoting is simply inevitable in this field, and the key to success is how gracefully we navigate these shifts. It’s like performing a perfect pirouette—one eye stays focused on the end goal, while the other stays on the present moment, ensuring that we’re staying true to the current process while being adaptable. Every pivot requires careful consideration and strategy. It’s crucial that each change is made thoughtfully, with the right testing conducted to ensure both the stability and efficacy of the product. If all the necessary testing has been completed and a change can be made without compromising the integrity of the product, we’re always open to it.

Ultimately, we want to ensure that our clients are launching a product that aligns with the vision they have in their minds and hearts. We understand that it’s not just about creating a product—it’s about bringing a dream to life. Most importantly, we absolutely love a good innovation challenge! The process of making something truly unique, something that hasn’t been done before, is what drives us and keeps us excited about every new project.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bbeautyconsultancy.com
• Instagram: bbeauty.llc
• Linkedin: Fernanda Barragan

Image Credits

BBeauty Consultancy LLC