Today we’d like to introduce you to Carina Smith and Lindsey McKoy.
Hi Carina and Lindsey, 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?
My sister and I flirted with the idea of starting a business for a while before we started Geek Chic; however, at the beginning of 2020, we started to seriously consider it. We were inspired to start a business due to the recent surge in black business owners being trailblazers! We wanted to be a part of this positive growth trend in our community that would one day make us eligible to work for ourselves. Once Quarantine went into full effect in Georgia during March, we had more time on our hands. Carina was working from home and Lindsey was a recent grad unable to find a job. Both of us had a love for makeup since we were young, and we have also been big nerds that loved things like comics and anime. We realized that we wanted to sell makeup inspired by our favorite animes and worked together to figure out that there was an actual market for our business.
We started small and took advice from every source we could find, we still do, actually. We have found that our business is really starting to take off in the blerd (Blerd = Black Nerd) community and we have been fully embraced by them. The amount of support we get overwhelms us with gratitude. We receive so much love from people within this community that are understanding of what our ultimate goal is: To create a safe space for black makeup users that love anime. Where there is no over-sexualization of black bodies, no comparing, no criticism, only love and upliftment. It is because of those already established within the community that see what we are trying to do and are uplifting us that we are as successful as we are today. It’s only looking up from here!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This has been one of the craziest, most stressful, and wildest rides we have ever been on, but we wouldn’t have changed it for a second. We have learned so many things from our own trial and error and from others that are kind enough to share. One of the biggest obstacles has been working with vendors and shipping during a global pandemic. It has been insane. We have had orders delayed, lost, and completely wrong! We’ve tried so many recipes for lip gloss and lip balm. There’s so much math that goes into this! Not to mention this isn’t the only thing we do! Carina works full time and has a family with two children, and Lindsey is currently getting a master’s degree and just started a new job (finally). There is always so much to do, and it sometimes feels like we are JUST making deadlines due to late shipments, and surprise work or family issues, and the need to document everything for content purposes. Running a business is not for the faint of heart, but it can also be fun and rewarding. Nothing compares to a really good idea striking us. Or whenever we are both on the same page without explanation. That rush is amazing and it more than makes up for the difficulties we face!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We create anime-inspired cosmetics and skincare. Our magical eyeliner lash glue has made a big difference in strip eyelash application for our customers. We sell colorful strip eyelashes as well. Our products are crafted with cosplayers in mind, but your average make up wearer will also enjoy our products as well.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Atlanta is such a diverse city and it is such a hub for Geekery! We have three major conventions that happen here (DragonCon, MomoCon, and Anime Weekend Atlanta), not to mention there is such a live artistic scene. Before COVID shut us down, you could find something going on every weekend in Atlanta. Art festivals, small-venue concerts of local artists, tiny comic book and music shops, so many good restaurants, and places to find that can give you inspiration. Not to mention we have a black female mayor named Keisha… We’re doing big things down here! Unfortunately, it’s getting increasingly more expensive to live here due to our popularity, and public transportation still has a ways to go before Atlanta becomes truly walkable. But we take the good with the bad, Atlanta is our home and there’s no place like it.
Contact Info:
- Email: Customerservice@geekchiccosmetics.co
- Website: www.geekchiccosmetics.co
- Instagram: Instagram.com/geekchicco
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/geekchiccosmetics1
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/geekchiccos
