Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenelle Dixon.
Hi Jenelle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was in undergrad at Michigan State University (circa 99’…LOL), and my Auntie told me I should come and work for “Fashion Fair.” And I was like “makeup?” She said “yes, you’re an artist and I’m going to show you what you need to know.” And it was history after that. I went from FF to Lancome, to Elizabeth Arden, to the MAC counter briefly. Eventually, I finished the counter life and started freelancing while operating in Corporate America as a Social Worker and “beating” people’s faces.
Soon after, I decided that I didn’t want to freelance anymore. I felt like this generation didn’t understand their worth and working in a smaller town and everyone is competing and selling theirselves short? I knew that my gift cost more than $25.00 per face. So I would assist other artists in the field when they would do bigger wedding parties but I stopped promoting myself and promoted myself as a “retired makeup artist”.
And while retired, I always remembered the one thing the counter taught me? If nothing else sold? Lipstick definitely did! And let me tell you? There are no lies told, I’m at least 200 tubes in (judge ya’ self).
To speed it up, over the years I painted out a “lipstick” brand and never ran with it, And then I saw all of the beautiful black female entrepreneurs releasing their lines and said “nah, I’m good.”
But then COVID hit, and it gave all of us time to think. It gave us a time to do those things we never could find the time to do and always wanted to? And so I said “hey! why not release my lipstick line while everyone is sitting on the couch.”
And so here we are, approaching our one year anniversary (the last day of black history) of “No Label” Lipstick.
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?
Ha! Hell no (can I cuss on here?). You know the popular saying? What’s worth having is going to take some work… and that’s in summation, not the actual quote.
The first struggle in anything regarding entrepreneurship? Is BETTING on yourself and BELIEVING in yourself. And once you get past that? It’s the domino effect… LOL!
I thought that maybe by having my MBA would push me past a lot of those “struggles?” Nope!
It couldn’t push me past being consistent, feelings of having enough money, being the CEO, marketing/branding… all the roles!
So to answer your question- in true transparency? The struggles are exactly what I said above. If you believe AND bet on yourself- consistently? You can enjoy the road in what many believe is a struggle, but what you KNOW is the journey. If not? You’re going to struggle in everything.
So me being a repetitive robot? The struggle along the way is SELF.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
This is a hard question for me to answer. Because most creatives that I know? Don’t really talk about it – we just exhibit.
As of today and me answering these questions? I am a full-time entrepreneur. This will be the first time that even those closest to me read that I was let go of my Corporate America job due to budget cuts. As a former Project Manager.
I think it’s also safe to say in this moment that I told them when they called “this will be the last time that man calls me and tells me what I don’t have.” Now because there will be many readers in this article, it may have had a couple of more expletives.
But back to the questions at hand.
I’m a full-time entrepreneur. I am the Curator of “No Label” Lipstick and I also own a company called “All Things Houses & Co.” At ATH & Co. I am the lead Interior Stylist. Where we Design, Stage and Clean homes.
I specialize in many things that CREATE. I create businesses, I create products. I create and transform homes into everyday living spaces. I create branding + marketing campaigns. I create writing prompts for small female business owners. I create conversations for individuals to express the most beautiful versions of themselves.
I am known for never stopping, I am known for coming from a family of creatives (my mother is an interior designer, my grandmother hosted dinner parties, and my daddy taught me how to clean commercial properties… just to help you out). I am known for being transparent and honest in anything I do. I am known for being “that friend” that you can call, and I can tell you 8,000 creative ways to make something better. I am known for being a “creative consultant” behind the scenes- because truth is? Sis’ doesn’t have time for it. I’m known for giving and exuding confidence. Many say if you don’t want to believe in yourself? Don’t call me. I’m known for? Faith over Fear.
I am most proud of? My UNWILLINGNESS to stop and creating legacy for my things 1 & 2 (kids…LOL).
What sets me apart is? ME. I am my biggest competitor, I am my greatest fear. I am my biggest asset. I am my biggest roadblock. And the fact that life has never stopped me. It has been me. And now that I know that? And because I live in “Because God created me, there is no reason I can’t create.” That’s what sets me apart. Jeremiah 1:5.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
What has been most important to my success is my UNWILLINGNESS to give up. I started in Undergrad. I accepted the title of entrepreneur when my son was 1 (he’s 14). From freelance makeup artistry, selling fashion accessories, to slangin’ bundles, producing the most beautiful matte lipstick and now transforming homes?
I haven’t given up – that’s the importance.
Pricing:
- $20.00 Lipstick
Contact Info:
- Email: nolabel.lipstick@gmail.com
- Website: www.nolabellipstick.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/nolabel.lipstick
Image Credits
Photographer: Alfield Reeves
