Today we’d like to introduce you to Altoria Brown
Hi Altoria, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My love for all things beauty blossomed during my childhood years where I would style the hair of my dolls, family members, friends, myself and experimented with beauty products on myself as well. I chose to pursue a career in beauty when I chose to attend Garrett Academy of Technology for high school, where I graduated from with my Cosmetology license in 2016. Thereafter, I chose to attend college at North Carolina A&T State University to pursue a degree and certification in Criminal Justice, Crime Scene Investigation. While on campus, I realized there was a great market for hairstylists but also for me to sell beauty products. Tough days in college introduced me to wearing mink lashes on a daily to cover up my puffy eyes after long nights of crying from the many frustrations of a college student. I also was experiencing a lot of traction and questions regarding the beautiful lashes I chose to wear and show-off on my social media platforms. I decided that I would turn what was a pain coverup to profit! I found vendors, tested out many mink lashes and launched the brand WinkLilly Lashes with three signature lash styles. Overtime the number of products I sold expanded to include lashes, lip products, hair extensions and wigs, and hair accessories. I even sold branded WinkLilly slides. Before graduating, I incorporated WinkLilly Beauty officially in 2019. After graduating college in 2020, I returned home to North Charleston, SC and went full time to work for a state non-profit law office. I then transitioned my beauty product business from focusing on solely beauty to merging my new knowledge of mental health and beauty, turning my brand WinkLilly Lashes into Purfick Cosmetics. I then separated my hair sales and branded all things hair to Classy Rebel Extensions. Eventually I rebranded and merged all of my beauty brands into what it is now, WinkLilly Beauty, promising to keep my passion for beauty, mental health and encouraging others my focus by making sure my marketing campaigns, product names and company collaborations always align with those three components. My launch of Purfick Cosmetics was such a success that it allowed me to months later pursue my dreams of moving to Charlotte, NC as a full-time entrepreneur. After a few months of living in Charlotte, NC, the opportunity for me to achieve another goal of becoming a Federal Law Enforcement Officer came true and I went to work full-time doing so. After a couple years of living and working in Charlotte, NC, I returned home to North Charleston, SC to finally pursue my passion full-time as an entrepreneur in the beauty industry. With many other accomplishments along my journey, my purpose in and passion for beauty continued to bloom. WinkLilly Beauty continues to grow as a product brand, reaching a multitude of states across the USA. Today I continue to practice as a Licensed Cosmetologist in South Carolina under The Beauty Bar by WLB. What started as fun and enjoyment as a child, carried me through painful moments with a promising future and purpose. I am grateful for my entire journey and especially for where my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has brought me through and has me today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of the struggles that I faced along the way included knowing the ins and outs of business legally and financially, separating my personal feelings from business decisions, improving my customer service skills, and staying consistent through tough seasons. Initially I struggled with reinvesting properly. I would always have a job or make money from being a. Cosmetologist so instead of using only the money I initially invested in my brand to grow more money, I was just using whatever funds I had and didn’t separate much or any of it. That eventually turned my business from being profitable into feeling like another bill because there were so many business expenses but then there also came many adult expenses and I hadn’t separated my finances or knew about having a personal bank account and business bank account. I also had to realize that not everyone knew about the beauty products or services they wanted and that forced me into having a new level of patience and empathy for each client or customer I interacted with. When I first started, my inquiries were mainly those on my age who were into the same beauty products as me or were more “hip” to trends so it required less work. I realized quickly as my brand expanded that I was very much spoiled and had to learn way more about client and customer retention, marketing to reach my target audience and carrying myself as my brand at all times. I struggled with introducing myself, what I sold, and the services I provided because I was so used to people already knowing who I was and what I did. I also struggled with overworking and overwhelming myself especially if I wasn’t able to complete all the tasks I had set out for myself within a days time. I’ve since overcame these struggles and continue to do so daily by remembering my three reasons why, pacing myself, setting goals that are realistic considering my work-life-balance importance and trusting that God has equipped me with all I need and thinking of the long term goals I have, remembering that there’s a lesson in each struggle to make me better.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about WinkLilly Beauty and The Beauty Bar by WLB?
WinkLilly Beauty and The Beauty Bar by WLB represent confidence, passion and purpose. WinkLilly Beauty is my product based business which I offer beauty products like lipglosses, lipsticks, false lashes, hair extensions, hair wigs, hair care products, skin care products, beauty tools and beauty accessories. Through The Beauty Bar by WLB I provide beauty services as a Licensed Cosmetologist to include Makeup Services, Wig Installations, Sew-Ins, Natural Hairstyling, Hair Coloring, Quick Weaves, Braids, Facial Waxing, Eyebrow Threading and Eyebrow Tint services.
WinkLilly Beauty is most known for my pigmented and smooth lip glosses, stylish mink lashes, infamous hair growth oil and long lasting and silky hair extensions. The services I specialize in include Soft Glam Makeup, Makeup Classes, Wig Installs, Sew-Ins, Eyebrow Threading and Eyebrow Tinting. As a brand what sets me apart is the pride I take in my customer service and customer interactions. I go above and beyond to be sure that with each sale and each service my customers and clients feel encouraged, important, confident and not rushed. As a brand I’m set-apart by my marketing campaigns and messages, product names, product ingredients and special service offerings that add a feel of luxury at no extra cost. Brand wise, I’m most proud of focusing on purpose and connection rather than sales exclusively. I continue to strive to make the experience for customers and clients simple and luxurious by narrowing down offerings, perfecting the products and services I offer while continuing to provide all that’s needed to feel beautiful. I would love for all readers to know that WinkLilly Beauty and The Beauty Bar by WLB is always welcoming new clients, customers and inquiries as well as welcoming loyal and returning clients to spread the confidence, purpose and goodness shared through each product sold and service completed.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is positively impacting the lives and decisions of others. I want to be the person to inspire someone to do good and make good choices because I’ve had so many people in my life to do a good thing for me that kept me motivated to do good in tough times and situations where bad choices would seem like the easiest route. I know firsthand how one person can change your mindset and opinion of yourself to have you think that you are worth so much more and good happening to and have the strength to do good or make a good choices. What matters most to me is remaining positive, speaking positivity and complimenting others because I have experienced tough times where a simple word of encouragement, a kind gesture or a compliment has changed my entire outlook on life for the better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.winklillybeauty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winklillybeauty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBeautyBarByWLB?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@winklillybeauty?si=Nq5JlmcOv7R5qyuU
