We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Iyanna a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Iyanna , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
I came up with the name Pretty Girl simply from life experiences that I went through and what every woman goes thru. Life can be challenging and sometimes you just don’t feel pretty. So I named my company Pretty Girl Cosmetics by Iyanna.
Iyanna , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I started my company in 2015. After beating cancer I promised myself I would start a cosmetics line that did not use harsh or harmful chemicals. Many companies use formaldehyde, arsenic and many other harmful chemicals in their cosmetics. Toxic chemicals over a long term use can cause cancer. My products are made fresh to order.
Women experience divorce, love one loss, physical abuse, alopecia, and many other life curve balls. Women need to know WE ARE STILL PRETTY GIRLS, no matter what life gives us. Get up, put on your make up and go run the world. My tag line is: It’s not just make up, it’s a movement!
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
Savings!!! I begin to save, save save. I started my company with my money. 3 years into my business I finally received a business loan but did not use it. Once I was approved for the loan my business was so lucrative I did not need the loan. I wanted to see if my company, finances and credit was strong enough to receive a loan, IF NEEDED and it was. That’s when I went full speed ahead. I have an website that makes money while I sleep. I invested in my business and my business elevated QUICKLY. My advice to entrepreneurs please have an Attorney, CPA and Financial advisor on your payroll. These three people are very important and have become my closest friends.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
A big name brand department store told me I needed more followers on social media to get my products in stores. I have found that to not be true in every case. Just by advertising on my social media AND word of mouth I have 14 international clients that buy wholesale from me. So Pretty Girl Cosmetics by Iyanna is INTERNATIONAL!! THAT’S A BLESSING. So I didn’t stop when I was told to get more followers.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.prettygirlcos.com
- Instagram: Pretty Girl Cosmetics by Iyanna
- Facebook: Pretty Girl Cosmetics by Iyanna
- Other: My biggest pride is my customer service skill. That’s my goal. To give the best customer experience with Pretty Girl Cosmetics. That’s what causes you to retain clients. I can fill orders from my phone WHILE vacationing…..I don’t play about my customers. They are what keep me going.