Happy Wednesday! Welcome to this week’s Womanprenuer Wednesday. Today I am featuring Stephanie Barnett, owner of Steph B. Cosmetics.
Stephanie and I met through a (fabulous) mutual friend well over 5 years ago. Immediately upon meeting her, you can’t not notice her warm, fun personality – and she makes some killer apps!
Since we met she has ramped up her makeup business – starting with makeup application for special events and now has added her own line of makeup! Enough of me telling the story…hear it straight from Steph!
Meet Stephanie!
When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher and an artist (Pellerini: appropriate…read on!)
How did you come up with the idea to start Steph B. Cosmetics?
I went to college without a lot of direction as far as a career path and ended up with a teaching degree that I never utilized. Instead, I became an entrepreneur in 2000 when my college sweetheart and I relocated to FL and I was without a career. I have a mother who has been in the Beauty industry for 35+ years and decided on a hybrid of her retail business that would eventually combine my love for teaching people (how to do everyday makeup on themselves) and the artistic nature of makeup. Best decision!
What is the biggest struggle you’ve encountered as an entrepreneur and how did you solve it?
I am creative and business minded but NOT good with financials or numbers. The accounting aspect of my business was a real struggle in the beginning but I got some advice from some financial people and began utilizing tools such as QuickBooks for Small Business to overcome the obstacles. Now I have the hang of it, although it’s my least favorite part of the job.
What do you think are the pros and cons of being a womanpreneur?
Many more pros than cons! I love that my career is based around my family’s schedule which ultimately gives me the freedom to be the best wife, mom and still enjoy a career. Also, I love the example I set for my 2 daughters daily that women can work and have a successful career as well as be involved with the family. Freedom to decide how much I work in turn affecting how much $ I can contribute to our life… the sky’s the limit based on how much work you put into it. Reap what you sow.
Do you have any mentors or coaches that you work with?
My mom was my mentor initially in entering the field. I still go to her for advice on certain things but have really taken to reading up on other entrepreneurs in the beauty industry (aka Bobbi Brown, Estée Lauder, Charlotte Tillbury, and several others who run the big cosmetic brands ) to see the magnitude of what I am doing and what it could become. There is a huge change in the industry since I began in 2000 with the push of social media and the ever-changing marketing technique.
What advice would you give to someone reading this that has the entrepreneurial “itch”?
Have a business plan going into whatever business you choose to start. Once the plan is in place, hire experts or seek expert advice in putting the plan in motion. And don’t be afraid to just go for it!
What is the secret to achieving work-life balance for you?
It’s no secret, sometimes it can be a struggle! I try to block certain times of day for personal things like working out and lunching with friends and then I devote a portion of my time every day to doing something (or many things) for Steph B Cosmetics. The rest of my day is usually filled with running a household, being wife and mommy…and there are days I wish I could turn off at least one “role” but it doesn’t work that way! I try my best to balance but there are ale days it’s harder than others.
How do you find inspiration?
My clients give me inspiration daily. Sometimes I’m inspired from doing a makeover where I’ve just empowered a non-makeup wearer to give herself a natural daily look on her own or help someone who has always worn makeup refine her look or hide a bothersome scar. I always am inspired to help a bride transform for her big day…there is something really special about being there for someone to support them in this capacity on such a momentous occasion in her life. I also cherish each and every note I get from my clients, (which literally come in almost daily in the form of a text, email, or review online of her experience with me.) I’m inspired to find the beauty in all women and help them see it in themselves as well. We are all unique and I believe that makes us beautiful.
What is your favorite book?
Good question. Not sure, but the last book I read was Tyler Henry’s book Between Two Worlds and was fascinated.
What is your favorite quote?
“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself “—Coco Chanel
I’ve based both the style of event makeup artistry I do as well as the product line on a Naturally Beautiful concept and truly believe all women should be enhanced by makeup and not masked.
What do you do to decompress?
Running, bike rides with the family, adult coloring books, and I love to watch movies.
Do You Love Her As Much As I Do?
Stephanie is a woman that took her education and created it into a business that she loves. The beautiful smiling faces I see on her Facebook and Instagram account tell it all.
She has a gift for accenting the beauty in her clients. They love her and you can tell! Stephanie also does classes/tutorials on how to properly apply makeup (which I still need to get with her about…I need help!)
Please connect with Stephanie via her website, Instagram, and Facebook.
Check out the previous Womanpreneur Wednesday spotlights:
If you know of a womanpreneur that you would like to see showcased on my Womanpreneur Wednesday series, please comment below!
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