We were lucky to catch up with Portia Guillory recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Portia, thanks for joining us today. 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 would say timing is everything. I started my business in 2021 after my brother passed away Christmas Day in 2020. Before I started my business, I was working as an insurance agent but I wasn’t fulfilled in that career and I want to pursue my childhood dream as my own lipgloss model.

If I had started my business sooner, it would have been an epic fail. My mindset at the time wasn’t ready. I’ve lost a lot of people in my life over the years, mental health wasn’t stable, and I wasn’t as mature now as I am now.

Looking back now starting at the same time. I believe GOD tests your strength and abilities to overcome obstacles. When time is right it’s right.

Portia, 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?

My name is Portia Monique Guillory. I’m 40 years old from Memphis, TN. I graduated from Melrose High School and studied some business courses at Strayer University. I’m currently a plus size model, brand ambassador for a well known boutique in Memphis called Major Pieces Boutique.

I started my own lipgloss business a year ago. It was a childhood dream of mine to be on billboard with my own product.

What’s set me apart from others is I’m just regular girl from the ghetto, with no college degree, and a childhood dream. I’m relatable, real, and my personality is captivating to others.

I am most proud of starting my business. I have waited for this moment for years and last year was that moment for me. The main thing I want followers and fans to know about my brand is painted lip gloss represents that everyday girl or woman that just wants to be and feel beautiful. Despite of your ethnicity, your background, you can be any and everything your heart desire. Don’t give up on yourself and it doesn’t matter how old you are you can still make your childhood dream come true.

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

I sell my products on my website! Having an ecommerce makes it’s easier to sell your product with a click of a button.

Pros: Tracking inventory, Access to your analytics, updates on how your business is progressing, and etc…

Cons: Physically updating your website, such as, adding pics, price changing, and etc..

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn working hard for others instead of myself. I always pride myself of being an amazing worker no matter what job I was doing. I was in warehousing for 15 years. I went from material handler to lead to supervisor positions. I was that employee who would work late, volunteer on holidays, and etc… Throughout those years, my body was wore out, I’ve had three atopic pregnancies, and was in need of something different.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.paintedlipgloss.com
• Instagram: paintedlip_gloss
• Facebook: Painted Lip Gloss
• Twitter: Painted Lip Gloss LLC

Image Credits
Antoine Lever