We recently connected with Yvvey Smith and have shared our conversation below.
Yvvey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I have always been fascinated with science since I was a kid. So when I became an adult, I decided to pursue the field of chemistry. I have always been a very ambitious woman with a “go-getter” mindset. I always set high goals for myself. I never let anything stop me from accomplishing them no matter how many and what obstacles are in my way. When I would say “I couldn’t do it”, my mom would be my source of encouragement saying that I can. And she was right!
My original career plans were to become a Forensic Chemist for my state’s crime lab. I applied and was denied twice. I then expanded my search to other states. Numerous “Nos” and “No Replies Back” later made me lose confidence in myself and settle for other positions in the chemistry field. With each new position it would be same. Great at first, but then I become bored, stressed, and ready for something else.
The work for each was the same sad song: very routine. Tired of working with toxic coworkers who complained about their jobs every day. Tired of not learning anything new from my job, and tired of working overtime to be a “team-player” for the company and not being appreciated for it! Most importantly, I got tired of working for a company just to receive a paycheck and not caring about their visions. I became so miserable and I knew I needed to make a change and quick!
Every day I would speak with my friends in our group chat about how I hated my job so much. As the days went on, I kept asking myself “do you really want to live this life for the next 20 – 40 years and not enjoy what I do?” Of course, I don’t! So I decided to do some research and see what else I would be interested in pursuing. All I knew was chemistry. I didn’t have a backup plan in the event things didn’t work out in my favor.
I found and read a career book entitled “What Color Is Your Parachute” and found several areas in which my skills and interests could combine and create a new career path for myself.
So from here, I decided to dive straight into creating my own business in which Aries Seduction Beauty & Accessories LLC was born. I’ve always loved science from the time I was a child and did not want to give that part of my identity up. So I said, “why not make your own chemistry?” “Okay,” I said, “I can do that, but what will I make?”
Then the idea came to me to create my own cosmetics line! I already have chemistry and laboratory experience, so now this is my chance to use my skills in the way that I want to create sustainable solutions in the cosmetics field, perform chemistry that’s fun and interesting to me, and show others my creativity and personality via my products.
With the liquid matte lipsticks I produce, the names are bold, outrageous, and spontaneous just like me. They fully embrace my personality as an Aries woman. The best thing of all is that they are 100% Vegan and Cruelty-Free! It’s so much fun creating these colors because the possibilities are endless! I can mix and create new colors for a lifetime and never become bored with my work!
Aries Seduction Beauty is a cosmetics line that’s “Eco-Friendly” breaks barriers, sets trends, and incorporates my passions of chemistry, beauty, learning, and entrepreneurship.
I’m finally living my life on my own terms and paving my own way. This journey has not been easy at all but I swear I wouldn’t have it any other way!
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 am 31 years old and born and raised in South Carolina. My birthday is April 9th (Team Aries for you zodiac fanatics lol), favorite color is blue, been living the Vegan lifestyle for almost 2 years, and a big nerd and goofball at heart. I love to binge watch a good docuseries on Netflix (Tiger King has been my favorite so far) and one of my “go-to” comedy movies is Step Brothers. Fun fact about me that people are always shocked about: I dislike Oreos, lol!
One of the thing craziest things I’ve done is that I sold everything I owned to move back in with my mom and start my life over. I made it where I did not have anything to lose which gave me fuel to pursue entrepreneurship. The motto that I have tattooed on my arm states “Live Fearlessly.” Live life with no regrets, right? I tell myself every day, “As long as I continue to keep my aspirations in focus, and use each day as a new opportunity to build the life I deserve, I know I will reach all my goals.” I can do anything I put my mind to. It is destined to happen!
I would like to say that I stand for the following: daring to be yourself no matter what anybody thinks, to always being a source of positivity and encouragement to those around me, and being a pioneer to make things happen when it seems like no solution is in sight. The best way to describe my business and brand is by my beliefs, passions, and skills. I am a Stoicism Advocate, Business Owner, and Licensed Hair Braider.
Stoicism is the philosophy that the only thing we can control in this world is our “reasoned choices.” Everything outside of this or “external factors” will never be under our control, but our choices and responses will be. This philosophy teaches you to use their principles of “self-control, justice, courage, and wisdom” to fulfil to what they believe our obligation is to this world which is to simply be a “good person.”
My services and products are in the field of beauty. I am the Founder and Owner of the cosmetics line Aries Seduction Beauty & Accessories LLC. I offer a variety of 100% Vegan and Cruelty-Free Liquid Matte Lipsticks. What sets my lipsticks apart from others is that my background in chemistry plays a major role in my business. My B.S. degree has allowed me to research, formulate, and continue to enhance and grow to be able to one day compete with the major competitors. Also, I can’t forget to mention the names are just as mesmerizing as the colors! I wanted them to be unconventional and allow others to experience the mind and beauty of an “Aries Woman.” My relaunch is scheduled for August 2023 so be on the lookout! New look, same long-lasting wear!
I am also a Licensed Hair Braider offering mobile services for South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Yes! That’s right, I come to my clients! I specialize and only offer individual braid installs. I am your braider for Traditional Box, Knotless, and Faux Loc styles ranging from small to jumbo sizes. I absolutely love using color in my styles! I’m always trying something new on myself and have never had the same color style twice lol! If you want to try something new and be the “Center of Attention”, a “Trendsetter”, once again, I am your braider!
What I am most proud of is the fact that I decided to live my life on my own terms, pursue my passions, and start my own business. I have always lived for others trying to be the “perfect person” with the “perfect career” in the corporate world. Not unfortunate that that path was not a fit for me, and I am now pursuing what sets my soul on fire no matter what anybody thinks! I am choosing to live each day I’m given the way I see fit. I could not be any prouder of myself for doing what I feel is best for me and my future!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Recently, I had to make a life-changing decision. One in which after choosing, I was determined to see it through no matter what. It came for the time for me to choose to either delay pursuing my dreams, or to risk it all and go for them now. I decided to leave the workforce for good and put all my focus into my brand and my business.
I first tried to work full-time and work on my dreams when time permitted. I found that I was not only burning myself out, but also not getting much accomplished in product development, practicing my crafts, marketing, and other administrative tasks. Then I tried part-time work. My plan was that less hours to work equaled more time to put into my passions. That was not the case at all lol! I ended up not only more burnt out than ever before, but more stressed, and the result was still the same: little to no progress being made on building the life I envision for myself. Ok, so next idea was to work remotely. I had the idea that I could “multi-task” by not only working on my business, but also make a steady predictable income from the comforts of my home. Win-win right? Wrong lol. I worked in the busiest department in which wait times for callers was pushing the one hour mark! So yeah, no progress was made here neither lol.
So literally a day or two after my birthday I decided that I did not want to enter into a new chapter of my life not giving my all and going after my dreams. So I decided to call the contracting agency I was employed with and let them know I was resigning and needed shipping labels to return all equipment as soon as possible lol! I told myself that if I was quitting this position that this was going to be the last time that I try to work for another company again. That if I was quitting that this is now a “Now or Never” situation for me. Either I give it all I got, pursue my passions, and build the life I deserve or not try at all and continue to sift through jobs until I find one that I like. I chose the first option and I haven’t looked back since!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Gaining a presence and building an audience on social can be difficult, but it is not impossible. Everyone no matter how big they are today started from nothing and had to work hard to build their platforms to where they are today. Since I started my social media journey in 2021, I have learned not only what are my best tools to use to spread my message and business, but have grown my audience to build a community of like-minded supportive individuals.
These are the steps and tools that I used and are still using that have greatly aided in my success so far.
I knew that in order for others to know about me and what I have to offer that I needed to meet others like me and showcase my talents outside of my community. My dreams have always been bigger than what my hometown could provide. I decided to do a “Spring Cleaning” on my most used social media platforms to remove those who I did not relate to and were not helping in my personal and professional growth.
Next, I put all of my profiles on “Professional Mode” to let others know my profession, and to use the tools with this feature to grow my presence even more! At the same time, I started sending requests and following those outside of my city who were on the same journey as me, I could relate to, learn from, and gain genuine encouragement and support.
Then I started “putting myself out there” and just show the world who I am and what I have to offer! I have always been shy, but I now realize that that was just out of fear of embarrassment. I fear more the regret of not trying to do everything that I can to make my business thrive than embarrassment at this point of my life lol. So instead of trying to be a master and run every social media platform there is, I picked the two that I was the most comfortable with and use on a daily basis (Facebook and Instagram).
From here, I also narrowed down the tools that I wanted to use to spread my message and use for marketing. I found that using a mixture of posts and reels was the most effective for me. I absolutely love being in front of the camera, my personality really shines though and I have so much fun! Posts allow me to communicate my point in writing with also using a mixture of pictures and videos. It is important that I do my best to show up as consistently as possible while not succumbing to burnout. This is where Professional Mode is very helpful for it has scheduling tools that allow to schedule out our posts ahead of time. This also leads me to say that the use of social media ads has also helped greatly in my growth. I have been able to reach my message, business, and service to more people than I would have on my own! It is a way of “working smarter not harder” lol.
Lastly, always remember to return the support back that you have been given, and most importantly, JUST BE YOU! There are going to be others doing the same thing as you, but what makes you different is simply you! Do not be afraid to just go out there and try! Go after your passions and show the world who you are and what you have to offer!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bossbae_vey
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/yvveysmith
- Youtube: youtube.com/@ariesseductionbeauty3666
- Other: linktr.ee/bossbaevey
Image Credits
Not Applicable