Today we’d like to introduce you to Tela Johnson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started Iamroylt as a mother to a newborn that had a vision for greater and a passion for people. My husband and I had recently lost everything. Jobs, cars, home and we just had a newborn. We were basically homeless, staying with family. I was sitting only grandmother’s couch and knew that this was not it. I had to really think about what I love to do and why because this was a turning point in not only my life but my children’s life as well. I decided at that time that I was going to start my business. I knew that I was destined for more than what I was seeing in that moment so I had to do something about it. Iamroylt is a play on my name. I am- Royal- T. I remember thinking about how I used to tell women and girls that they were royalty and how amazing they could be if they put their mind to it, so I had to walk in what I was telling them! I previously worked with women and men who were HIV positive and there was one woman in particular who would always compliment me on my makeup and clothes and I remember taking her some gloss and a small care package and she lit up like a light bulb. I could never get her face out of my mind so when I started Iamroylt it was 2-fold. To not only get my family out of homelessness but also touch more women and girls with just a lipgloss or a pair of lashes to brighten their day.
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?
Whew! This road has not been easy at all. As I stated I was homeless, with a newborn and an almost 10-year-old daughter. I literally saved every penny I came across to get my first set of inventory of gloss to test. I had been communicating with a hair vendor for a little while so I asked her to send me pictures so that I could post the pictures and try to sell hair and wigs to try to make a profit. I had no idea what I was doing, LOL! I barely made $50/sale. But I was determined to get that makeup line off the ground. I didn’t have a car so everything I did was from my phone and this really old laptop that I had that was so slow. There were plenty of times where those closest to me didn’t see the vision so they thought I was crazy for worrying about lipgloss when I didn’t even have a car.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I want people to know IAMROYLT for its mission as well as its products. I feel that my company pays attention to those who are often overlooked. My mission with the makeup line is to provide high-quality pigments and products to women who are very practical with the application. Moms and women on the go who really don’t have time or the desire to do full face glam for work. I love how my clients will inbox me to ask me my opinion on a lash or a lipstick. It’s like we are learning together. I believe what sets me apart is my intention and my mission. I want so badly to have a glam station just for women who are HIV positive. This will be a space for them to come and zen out and feel appreciated and loved on and of course get some lippies and lashes. I will have a team to provide services to these women at no cost or reduced cost. I want them to know that they are royalty and a diagnosis doesn’t change that. I am most proud of my lipsticks and my variety of lashes. I love my lipstick because it comes with a liner already attached lol and my lashes have such a range that even people who have never worn them will find the perfect pair. I am also very proud of my mascara. It’s really close to perfect lol!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I definitely see the cosmetic industry changing in the next 5-10 years. I think there will be a shift back to how it used to be where women use the time to get their hair and makeup done as pure self-care. The pandemic has created a lot of opportunity for people to learn how to do things at home but as the restrictions lessen and we can go back outside, I think the shift will happen where more people acknowledge the importance going to get your hair or makeup done as a way to relieve stress or simply just to take care of yourself. I also see the trend of clean beauty. Sourcing clean and organic products is going to be the only alternative eventually in my opinion.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iamroylt.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/iam.roylt
- Facebook: facebook.com/iam.roylt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzpCZ3s6pD7RcWM0Cor2KA
