Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Young.
Alicia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I had been blogging since 2006. In 2017 I entered into the “plus-size” fashion arena of blogging. This meant that there were events to attend and even brand partnerships that required photographs to be taken of me. At that time, I had no real experience with makeup so I felt like a fish out of water! I began YouTube University so to speak and started to learn about makeup! Throughout the process, I truly began to enjoy cosmetics in a way I didn’t think that I would. However, one of the things I noticed is that some of the most sought after products were super expensive. That’s how the idea popped into my head to create a cosmetic line that was not only quality but affordable. Thus AP Young Beauty Collection was born. It became official in 2019!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The process to getting licensed was definitely not hard. It only required a little research and some money to pay for registration, LLC, etc. Of course, start-up costs were involved as well so that I could get the inventory I needed. However, making the sale is the hardest part! I believe in my products, but I have to convince other people to believe in my products and take a chance on me. It’s not easy when people have the affinity to want to shop big brands because there’s power in a known name. People also want a brand that has some longevity or the endorsement of celebrity and well-known influencers.
So for me to enter this arena without the backing of a huge endorsement campaign by someone famous or well known was a challenge. It’s still a challenge even though I’ve been in business for over a year now! “Influencers” want free products in exchange for exposure. Sometimes people will only shop when there is a sale. Others will say, “O, I’m so proud of you!” but never shop with me while simultaneously plugging the more trendy brands all over their social media in hopes of a repost. It can definitely create self-doubt. So I am so grateful for the support of those who do take a chance on me and, of course, my husband, who pours such beautiful, supportive energy into me on the daily.
AP Young Beauty Collection – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business is my lifestyle blog and my cosmetic line. I’m definitely more known as the blogger as I’ve been doing that for years and have created a social media presence online that people are familiar with. I use my platform to openly discuss mental health, chronic illness & disability, plus size fashion, parenthood and marriage! The other facet of my business is my cosmetics line AP Young Beauty Collection. While that’s a newer component of my business, I am absolutely proud of the presence we’re paving. I believe what sets me apart from other brands is my genuine desire to help women grow comfortable with makeup application, and helping them do so affordably. While I obviously want to make a coin; the driving force is my passion for women celebrating their beauty; however, they see fit. I’m most proud of watching this idea in my head come to fruition with the investment of myself and my husband and the fact that I’ve been in business for over a year.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me is being able to do a job well done. I measure that by customer feedback. Even if I only make one sale, as long as that one customer feels excited, feels beautiful or loves the product, that feels like success for me. On a grander scale, selling out of everything would also be great lol!
Pricing:
- Essential Eyeshadow Palette – $20
- Liquid Matte Lipsticks – $10
- Liquid Highlighter – $12
- Brilliance Eyeshadow Palette – $18
- Creamy Blusher Stick – $5
- Essential Glow Highlighter Kit – $13
- Metallic Liquid Eyeshadow – $5
- Yummi Lipgloss – $10
- Bundle Deal – $70
Contact Info:
- Website: https://apyoungblog.com/ap-young-beauty-collection/
- Email: apyoungbeautyllc@gmail.com or alicia@apyoungblog.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/apybeautyllc
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/apyoungbeauty
Image Credit:
Monets_Visions
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