Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Acolla Edwards, CEO of Bel Larenn Cosmetics, located in Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

What We Are About: Through inspiration, invention, and enthusiasm, we will continue to reinvent the beauty business one product at a time. Our current collection of vegan, cruelty-free goods includes Eyes, Lips, Face, and Special Collections. Our goal is for our Bel Beauties to be empowered and liberated to embody their inner girl boss. Bel Larenn Cosmetics is just getting started, and we hope you can join us on the ride since we won't be stopping anytime soon.

Tell us about yourself

I'm Acolla Edwards. I officially launched Bel Larenn Cosmetics in 2022. I am the CEO, inventor, innovator, and owner of this rapidly expanding beauty business. My struggles with both physical and emotional health led to the founding of Bel Larenn Cosmetics. I founded my brand, Bèl Larenn Cosmetic, which translates to "beautiful queen," using my enthusiasm for the beauty industry. Through the use of my natural skin care products and the addition of cosmetics to my brand, I hope to improve the lives of women and men who struggle with mental health issues and cater to their journey toward self-love. This is true whether you choose to be natural or not.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has been meeting other entrepreneurs like myself and being able to form a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Our brand may just sell cosmetics, but I just so much more behind the scenes that we offer mentorship, marketing experience, and so much more.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Time Management it can get overwhelming at times, juggling a business being a Mom of 4, A wife, and still finding time for yourself.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Definitely, before you launch, make sure you have done your research, I mean the ins and outs. I have seen so many great businesses start and stop just simply because they weren't properly prepared for their customers.
  2. Genuinely be yourself because you want your audience to know your brand for its own unique characteristics; you don't want to be the copycat of another brand.
  3. Have fun, and don't be so hard on yourself; for some, their brand skyrockets soon as they launch, and for others, it starts of slow, and you may get a sale here and there. Just keep going, and don't look back; there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Building confidence in each of our Bel Beauties is a top priority for us as a female-owned company. As long as you love and believe in yourself, others will do the same. Confidence is the best makeup, in our opinion. The process of assembling a strong group of people.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://bellarenncosmetics.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BelLarennCosmetics/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellarenncosmetics/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bellarenncos

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.