We were lucky to catch up with Teashya Tucker recently and have shared our conversation below.
Teashya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?
Having years of experience working for two major beauty authorities- MAC and Sephora from 2013-2018, I was able to receive a huge amount of artistic development and business knowledge. Looking back, I would say it served as a sort of paid internship to the cosmetic industry before I branded myself and created my own business. At Sephora, I was taught the fundamentals of makeup, skincare, and fragrance. I learned how to relate to customers in a genuine way, and unlocked what would come to be my “sweet” persona. However, I was still introverted and shy with beginner makeup skills. What I had a lot of was passion and ambition to make makeup a career! When I came to MAC, everything was …elevated. There is an air of seriousness at MAC, and a chicness that’s iconic. I noticed that quickly and chose to embrace it. I had a sweetness and sincerity that MAC is not typically known for, combined with my product knowledge and used it to my advantage. It made me stand out, so I quickly became a manager and absorbed absolutely EVERYTHING I could. Perhaps the most important lesson I learned from both retailers is that makeup is an “emotional purchase”. Nobody buys into makeup out of necessity. We love it because of how it makes us FEEL. We buy into it because of the story behind the brands, the way it’s marketed and promoted. I knew as a business owner, there was already thousands of makeup artists and cosmetic brands… so what made me any different? The answer to that question, was my “why”. Why did I choose to pursue makeup in the first place? That’s what people feel connected to and seek you for. Personally, I have a spiritual obligation to deliver confidence that I didn’t have as a young black girl, to anyone I service. Your “why” is your purpose. It’s what separates you in an oversaturated market and transforms you from an artist to a brand.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hiiiiii! My name is Tea, or Coco, or CocoTea! I discovered makeup through many years of dance training. Raised by a somewhat strict but very loving single mom, she noticed I was shy with low self esteem due to my chocolate complexion and enrolled me in ballet classes at age 8. I continued dancing throughout high school, but I was never allowed to wear makeup outside of performances. I had to sneak and apply it once I got to school, and I looked NOTHING like how high school girls look nowadays LOL! This was around 2009/2010- an era before Instagram, so I had to teach myself through TV shows, music videos, and eventually YouTube. Eventually I graduated from just doing makeup on myself to others, landing jobs at Sephora and MAC, and leaving the retail world in 2018 to build my own brand. While working for myself, I was always asked by clients if I had anything for them to maintain their makeup after their appointment. I always felt inequipped and dreaded being asked so much- it forced me into developing my own cosmetic line. In July 2020, mid pandemic, I introduced CocoTea Beauty to the world with only 6 lipsticks and 3 glosses. Today in 2022, it has grown to a total of 34 different products and it’s turned into my passion project. I named every product and makeup service I offer after a sweet or dessert to remind myself of the long journey this chocolate-skinned girl underwent to love herself and be confident in who she is. It also reminds me of my purpose – which is to use makeup to instill loving confidence into anyone I touch. My lip products are also infused with natural vanillin extract so they smell delicious too! My line can be viewed /purchased after your appointment in my salon suite or anytime on my website www.cocoteamua.com
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
There are 2 books in particular that come to mind.
The first one I highly recommend is “Jump” by Steve Harvey. It’s so inspiring, and filled with so many amazing gems for anyone who is ready to step out on faith but may need a little encouragement. If you are scared to start a business, scared to expand the business, worried about moving to a new city; changing career paths, having enough money to pay bills, whatever the obstacle, the solution is as the title suggests: Jump. It travels through Steve’s story of being a homeless man turned millionaire and all the lessons he’s learned along the way. I have it highlighted, underlined, and whole paragraphs circled! It’s amazing and relatable. Sometimes I will revisit it for motivation and share quotes on my Instagram stories.
The second one is “Believe Bigger” by Marshawn Evans Daniels. It’s an extremely honest, powerful book with a focus on identifying your life purpose and living in your calling, while encouraging others to do the same. I don’t have many other people I can go to for entrepreneurial advice so this book was literally my confirmation that I was doing what I was put on Earth for. Up until this book I was scared to quit my full time federal government job, and I was operating on intuition and discernment alone. My talks with God have gotten me far, and being gifted this book let me know I was actually doing something right and heading in the right direction.
Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?
Aside from traditional makeup services in my salon suite, I have expanded into servicing weddings, private makeup lessons, masterclasses, a product line, and now I am currently developing a clothing and accessories line of CocoTea Beauty merch to feature hoodies, sweatshirts, hats, and robes with unique designs and sayings. I plan to premier it at the end of 2023.
As an entrepreneur you always have to always be thinking of the future and aware that you cannot work for money forever. You have to allow the fruits of your labor to work for you, or as I like to say find ways to make money in your sleep. It’s essential in the modern world to have at least 2-3 streams of income in order to design the life you want, and not settle for what others try to give you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cocoteamua.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cocotea.mua?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teashya.tucker
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teashya-tucker-22105ba1
- Other: Google Reviews https://g.co/kgs/iuuKt4
Image Credits
Teashya Tucker @cocotea.mua Jacob Webster @jpwphoto Domo Jenkins @domoshotme