Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Pixley.
Hi Mia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m 25, a full-time mother and a skincare enthusiast. I started MilanLaurenCo. nearly four years ago, in hopes of finding a way out. Out of a toxic environment and a way out of my own head. I birthed my daughter Milan and began experiencing postpartum depression along with hormonal/acne-prone skin in 2017.
Growing up, I actually never had acne. Maybe a pimple here and there during that time of the month, but nothing like I experienced after giving birth. At this time I didn’t have much, not my own place, a car, or a job. Postpartum drove me into a deep depression & then eventually social anxiety. I didn’t want to go anywhere, meet anyone, or do much. I had to find ways to heal myself while raising my newborn; inside and out.
I had to learn how to be a mom & love myself simultaneously. To pass the alone time, I learned how to make my own skincare products. However, It wasn’t really far-fetched for me. Growing up I had long, thick, curly, hair & I had to learn how to take care of it myself, starting in 8th grade. YouTube University was my best friend. I learned a lot about my culture, my texture, & the beauty of my natural hair. Eventually, I began making my own deep conditioners and styling products. When I was in high school, I was not thinking about starting a business whatsoever, but I think my experience gave me a huge head start within the organic skincare industry.
Creating formulas in 2018 was just like being in 2011. Life came full circle & making products today is like second nature.
After creating what actually worked for me, my friends tried what I made & convinced me to sell my products. I didn’t officially launch until nearly a year later, I just remember being really scared of what people would think, but I couldn’t deny what I felt about starting my company. I knew this was for me. I launched my first two products, “wake me up” and “honey oats” on August 5th, 2018. Ever since that day, we’ve been assisting people along their journey of healing themselves, and the beginning of this journey literally woke up a part of me I had never met.
We’re coming up on our 4th year anniversary and it’s crazy to think about the very first day I began this journey. I had no choice but to become an entrepreneur and to create a legacy for my daughter, but I couldn’t have imagined to have been in this space. I was just healing and I wanted to show other people how I got myself out of a darkness, I didn’t believe I would survive.
Throughout the last four years, we’ve been in two black-owned stores, I opened my own storefront location last year, we will sell globally on Amazon/AmazonHandmade this year, we have been featured in British Vogue 3 times, we’ve shipped to over 40 states, & internationally. We’re currently continuing to grow & working on more exciting projects and collaborations within our community. I’m excited for all that’s to come, I feel like I’m just getting started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! Lol, but nothing worth having comes easily. I’m fully aware that what I create every day, changes the lives around me, and will change my daughter’s life as well. My journey has been full of challenges. From homelessness, anxiety, and depression, to postpartum, social anxiety, and learning the ins & outs of entrepreneurship.
I didn’t know anything about running a business, but I just let go of my fears and I started listening to what God told me about myself. I knew in my heart that I would be equipped with what I needed along the way.
I’m still growing til this very day, I wear all of the hats that keep this engine running & I’m still a full-time mother. I had to learn how to do two jobs at the same time at 21 years old but I made it work with what I had & I still do.
Today, I’m continuously learning & unlearning. I’m evolving into the best version of myself & in turn, it’s showing up in my brand. The only thing I didn’t do is give up. That’s why I’m here today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I created a one stop shop for people to take better care of themselves. I’m known for my exfoliators & my transparency about motherhood and entrepreneurship. Most people have watched me grow over the course of these four years & I think we’re all amazed at the transition I’ve made; personally, and in business.
We pride ourselves on providing quality organic skincare products that help you get back to loving yourself inside and out. Aside from our skincare, we offer a variety of home essentials & aromatherapy products for the ultimate self-care experience.
We specialize in skincare. Specifically organic formulas for sensitive, acne-prone, and blemish-prone skin.
I have a lot of things or accomplishments that make me proud of myself. My biggest one is just being able to have built a life for myself and my child, despite the odds set against me…single moms.
I think what sets my brand apart most is the fact that we create such a personalized experience with every customer. We’re known for interacting with you like family and helping you along your journey. I create personal products often that are not on my website for customers, just to help them. We truly offer lifetime “mentorship” with no gimmicks.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe I’ve ever been lucky, and I don’t believe I’ve ever had bad luck. I think that everything in life happens as it should, at the most destined time, and to people who have chosen to complete their life mission. It’s not luck, it is my destiny to be here and to create in the very way that I do.
Regardless of whatever chain of events that may take place In my life or my business, I know that it wasn’t good luck or bad luck. But purely divine timing.
Pricing:
- Goddess Mask | $20.00
- Honey Oats | $15.55
- Wake Up Honey | $15.55
- Lemon Drop | $15.55
- Heal Cleanser |. $15.55
Contact Info:
- Website: MilanLaurenCosmetics.com
- Instagram: @milanlauren.cosmetics
