In Conversation with Annabella Joy of Blessed Beauty

Describe your business in a few words?

Blessed Beauty is the Future of Beauty — disrupting the makeup industry with new innovations that fuse beauty & spirituality, to enhance your beauty from the inside out.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I love the art of creation and the system of logic that goes into running a successful business. Most importantly, I love helping women feel good about themselves and contributing beauty and elegance to the world.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Probate attorney.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

YES!!! I have loved the entire process of creating my brand - from formulation to sales!

Take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

We are still in the process of launching, and our strategy is focused primarily on digital marketing - FB/IG ads and selling exclusively through our website.

We always learn the most from our mistakes, share a time with us that you made a mistake or had a challenging time in business and what you learned from it?

My biggest mistake with Blessed Beauty has been having fixed timelines and expectations for deliverables. When I started formulation three years ago, my manufacturer gave me a timeline of 6 months for delivery. Three years later we are finally finishing. This process has taught me that excellence takes time, and it is better to make your product perfect than to rush to meet a deadline.

What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?

Taking the risk to start my own business and not compromise on quality in the process.

When hiring for your team, what is your go-to interview question? Please share any hiring tips you can share from your experience?

What are your core values? Please provide an example of a time when you failed yourself, and upon reflection, what you learned from the experience?

How has your business or industry been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?

Slowdown in manufacturing and production.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Expansion of our product line to include blushes, bronzers, and highlighters.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned in 2020?

Have no expectations. 2020 taught me that there will be forces and events outside of what I can plan for, or forecast, on a business spreadsheet. Learning to go with the flow and adapt to changing circumstances is important for success.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting your business?

Expect people to make mistakes. No one cares as much about your business as you do. So even when you hire well, mistakes and oversights happen. The important thing is not to take them personally, but to address them, remedy, and move on.

How have you managed to stay grounded this year?

Prayer, my faith in God, and my dogs. Dogs don't know what is happening in our complex human world! It is refreshing to see the world through their eyes.

Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?

I believe in work/life integration. The word balance implies you have to take something and leave the other - that you can't enjoy both work & life at the same time. I believe in integrating the parts of my life, so that I enjoy every day. My best tip is to integrate the people you care about into your work and life as much as possible. Workout with your friends, share details of your business goals with your partner, and celebrate your wins!

What's something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

I read philosophy books for fun!

What are your top 3 tips to stay productive each day?

• Have a list of daily goals.

• Eat healthy throughout the day.

• Take meditation breaks for a boost.

What does being an Entreprenista mean to you?

It means embodying all the beautiful & empowering aspects of being a modern woman - work, love, and play!