Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Forrest.
Hi Nicole, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Well my story is a quite an interesting one. This business was actually started between my mother and myself. When I say started, I mean we had ideas and brainstormed and came up with a vision. Once we came to an agreement on the vision, we then went through the proper steps and purchased the LLC in March of 2021. Now here is where my story gets interesting. My mother unexpectedly passed away June of that year. Of course I was devastated. I felt lost and confused. I just had lost my best friend literally in a blink of an eye. Now, remember as I stated prior, we purchased the LLC but have yet at that time to do ANYTHING with it. The only thing that was done was I myself purchased some of the products. For instance, some of the lip gloss tubes, some packaging & had a logo created. That was IT! So here we are now fast forward to June and you’re telling me that my Best friend, My Mother, My business partner is now GONE! How am I supposed to follow through with this business WE came up with. How am I supposed to push forward. Who is going to handle all of the tasks that we decided she would be in charge of? Guys, I was LOST! So this business to me was just done. It laid dormant for MONTHS! It then became just a thing of the past. December came and I went into FULL depression mode. While I went through that phase, I then heard my mother come to me and say LAUNCH!
I instantly felt like my mother was in the room with me physically and talking when I heard those words. That right there was enough fuel for me to wipe my tears, look into the mirror and tell myself, “Nicole, you have to push forward”. I then started writing down my goals and plans to make sure that I do everything & most importantly have everything to be able to officially launch. As the days passed, I felt that I have reached to the point to now officially launch. Everything was set and ready to go. I told myself at that time, the launch date would be February 1st just in enough time for Valentine’s Day. As the days were passing by, I then heard my mother’s voice again saying LAUNCH! Keep in mind this was before the projected launch date that I had already set for myself. Hearing my girl once again felt like we were doing what we usually do which was discuss business. I took my mother’s advice and on 1/12/2022, I officially launched our business.
That day was bitter sweet for me. I had officially launched OUR brand by myself. I was so excited at the responses I was receiving on social media in regards to our brand. We came up with an exclusive gloss called ” Silken Roses”. This is our clear gloss that is infused with dry red organic roses & it’s peppermint scented! It was my mother’s favorite & the only gloss she would have worn, LOL! Can you believe her specific gloss SOLD OUT ON LAUNCH DAY! I had no website, no huge following on that Instagram page NOTHING. Just my content I created and of course, my own guardian angel my mother, who was guiding me through everything. She is the reason as to why I was able to pick up the pieces during my depression to finish what we have started. It was EXTREMELY hard, but through her I was able to start. Our business now has made a lot of sales in the past two months since our launch. I truly know that between her, God, and my unwavering faith, that’s the reason I’m where I am today in my journey.
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?
Most definitely not! It was honestly one of the hardest things I have done to date. The reason for that is because on top of launching a business that my mother and I had started, I also was still learning how to process grief. Learning how to cope without my mother who was also my business partner was HARD. Then another struggle that I dealt with was making sure I created content on a consistent basis. I wanted my brand to reach others so of course, you have to put in that work. That’s not a simple task guys. Having to make sure you have the right lighting and making sure that the pictures are crisp and etc. it’s a struggle, LOL. I can say though, as the months went along, it got easier for sure. You just have to come up with a system that works for you.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My brand is a Luxury Lipgloss line. Our products are ALL completely vegan and animal cruelty-free. I am most proud of how far I’ve come with this business without my mom physically here with me. Honestly, I did not see myself going through with it once she passed, but she had other plans, lol. To me that takes A LOT of strength, A LOT of courage, & lastly A LOT of drive to follow through.
What sets me apart from others, I would say would be that I have that drive to persevere. Dealing with grief is not an easy thing. So just imagine grieving the loss of a parent who is also hands on in your business and at the same time dealing with everyday life. It’s tough. Everybody is not built for certain things. Honestly, I felt that I wasn’t built to finish what we started, but because I have that drive and because I have a five year old daughter that looks up to me, I have no choice but to NOT GIVE UP. It’s not about me anymore. It’s about her and the life that I’m creating for us. It’s about the jobs I aspire to create for other minority women. It’s about showing the world that even in your toughest times, you can PERSEVERE through all of it. You just have to believe you can. It’s hard to explain. It’s a mindset you just have to have. Once you have it, you need to make sure you utilize it to your full potential—Thats what I did.
What’s next?
My plans for the future is to become one of the Top African American Women Owned Cosmetic brands in the world. I plan to be able to provide jobs to other women. I plan to have my products EVERYWHERE from small black-owned business locations to the major makeup stores like Mac, Ulta, & Sephora. Then eventually having my OWN store. That’s the vision. That’s the plan. That’s my goal!
Pricing:
- $5.00 10ml lipgloss squeeze tubes
- $8.00 15ml lipgloss squeeze tubes
- $10.00 5ml wand tubes
Contact Info:
- Email: info.silkengalorellc@gmail.com
- Website: www.Silkengalore.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/its.silkengalore
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/silkengalore
