Welcome to FJ's special feature on local women-owned businesses! We are thrilled to have joined hands with some inspirational brands and we are so excited to share their stories with you.
-
What is the name of your business and how long has it been around?
I am a mama to Beauty in a Box Makeup, we will be celebrating our 8th year in September and my newbie is Bridal Prep in a Box, which is a mere 9 months old.
- How did the idea for your business come about?
Beauty in a Box Makeup – I’ve always had a passion for makeup, I would do proms and part time makeup and an opportunity knocked on my door in 2012 and that was where my journey began.
Bridal Prep in a Box – this dream has been on my heart for a few years but getting it together took me some time, after a lot of procrastinating I finally got my heart and mind to getting into gear.
- Can you provide us with a description of your business?
Beauty in a Box Makeup is a bridal makeup company. My main focus is bridal hair makeup and dressing. I have had the pleasure of working with South Indian, North Indian, Christian and Muslim brides. When I am not glamming up a bride I am doing makeup for models, photoshoots, parties and proms.
Bridal Prep in a Box - working with brides on a weekly basis, I saw a need in the market for bridal satin robes. I added a segment to my main business where I now add luxurious satin robes to their packages Brides want to look and feel luxurious on their big day especially in her bridal prep pictures. The robes are personalized for each bride and her tribe. It started from Satin robes for my brides to clients ordering robes as baby shower gifts, bridal showers, birthdays and a whole lot more. I then went onto making mama and me matching robes for moms and their little princesses, a lace satin pj summer range and I’m now busy with a 3 piece Pajama range.
- Who is the person(s) behind your business and what is your background (ie education, work experience, life experience)?
Straight out of school I went on a 2 year working /holiday trip to London, this is where my love for makeup started, I worked for Benefit cosmetics as a counter girl for the work part of my visa, traveled for a bit then headed home to study Beauty Therapy. A few years into my career I look a leap into a desire and left home to work on a cruise ship, this was one of my greatest decisions, my knowledge, skills and experience grew heaps and bounds. Back home after 9 months and I continued to work in my home based spa doing beauty treatments for my clients. A few years later I purchased Beauty in a Box Makeup and have never looked back.
- Do you have a team behind the scenes or are you a one woman show? If you have a team, please share a little with us about them?
Most of the time I’m a one man band with my makeup side of things, I do have 2 part time assistants. We work so well together, they understand me and the way I work. I love that they are so eager to learn and always so willing.
With Bridal Prep - I have a CMT that does all my work, I source all the fabric, lace, labels and everything in between. Once I have an order placed, I physically iron each garments and package it with all my love.
- How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life? How do you balance work and family?
Being in the wedding industry takes me away from my family on the weekends, the only weekend in the year I have off, is on the kids birthdays and our wedding anniversary. It’s hard working weekends when everyone is out enjoying family time especially because I’m a sun and sea person. If the sun is shining I want to be out.
Being an entrepreneur has its ups and downs, I think mentally you have got to establish where to draw the line when it comes to answering calls after hours, or responding to emails when it’s times for kids and hubby. (I haven't mastered the art of finding a balance lol)
MY kids are 18 months apart, one 2 and the other 3.5 so it hasn’t been easy trying to balance work and family. I must admit my husband is very hands-on with the kids so that has helped me focus on work tremendously. We also have a great support system with our parents as well as a live in nanny.
- What motivates you?
As an entrepreneur I don’t think your mind is ever at rest, I’m always thinking of what’s next, how I can be the best version of myself, where is there a gap in the market and I think that motivates me to keep going and staying focused. Also, the smile and love I get from my brides when I’m done is priceless and it reminds me of why I love what I do. On down days I read through reviews from past brides and it encourages me to get up and move on.
- How do you define success?
I think it is important to know that we are all on our own journey and we’re in our own lane, I always go back to this and try and live a life of purpose. Helping and uplifting people is key. Being the best version of myself is what I try and obtain, I fail daily but I pick up the pieces and try again. A happy home, happy hubby and happy kids is a huge success right now.
If mom is happy everything else falls into place.
- What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
I have the hardest job - pleasing the unpleasable on the biggest day of her life. But seeing a bride's face light up when she looks into the mirror is the most satisfying moment for me. I treat all my brides the same and the joy that they feel fills my heart.
With Bridal Prep in a Box - seeing my robes on the models at the photoshoot made me shed a small tear. It was a dream that finally came alive.
- What is your favourite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
I love the fact that I am my own boss and that I am following my dream and passion. I love sharing my skill with others, uplifting and encouraging others to take the step in faith if they too have a desire to become an entrepreneur.
- What are your future aspirations for this business?
I’d love to grow Bridal Prep in a Box to an international level, supplying brands.
I’d also love to grow my current makeup team so that we can take on more and also so that I can retire at 40 haha.
- If you had a magic wand, which are the three things you would change in the world?
I would definitely want people to be kind and less judgmental, poverty and hunger to never be a thing of this world. I’d love for the world to start on a clear new slate, for us to not hold on to past or generational wrong doings or hate. For us to bring up a generation filled with love and equality.
Disclaimer: please note that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the above text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the owner of this platform and associated brand.
