Bella Rose Passion brand features all-natural products, made with special ingredients which helped launch a natural revolution in the cosmetic industry. Bella Rose Passion Cosmetics have been featured on many celebrity faces and in shows, such as R&B Divas Atlanta, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Starz Original “POWER”.
Bella Rose’s contributions to the beauty industry were featured inSheen, Hip Hop Weekly, and Essence magazines, and iReport CNN. Her success landed her a supporting role on the Bravo series, “The New Atlanta.”
Bella Rose was Nominated by Boss Magazine as one of the Top Atlanta Women To Watch in the Beauty Industry, also seen with her Bella Rose Artistry Staff on The Steve Harvey Television Show.
Bella Rose received The Business Excellence Award from 2016 – 2021
Bella Rose is focused on her New Skin Care Collection that launched on Major Retail Websites such as Walmart and Target.
What is Bella Rose Passion all about?
Bella Rose Passion is a family-owned and operated All Natural brand, that was founded in 2011 with natural lipsticks and lip gloss. Our brand was introduced to the local Atlanta scene by our close reality star associates, who were makeup clients of the MUA’s that used all the Bella Rose Passion cosmetics. Once the reality stars would share their looks from Bella Rose Passion cosmetics their supporters grew to love our brand which helped us evolve and were contacted by The Steve Harvey TV Show regarding our success. Bella Rose Passion then grew into retail beauty supply stores, Macy’s, Walmart.com, and now Target.com
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?
I was a teen mentor before my family & I moved to Georgia, but as an overprotective mommy, I was anxious about new doctors and our children’s skin irritation (Eczema). We purely made whipped butter and natural soaps to heal our skin at home from irritation and bacteria. I wanted to share my results with friends and family on social media, as they were interested, the business scaled rapidly.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
I would say the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur is patience, financial literacy, and customer service.
What are your plans for the future, how do you plan to grow this company?
My plans for the future of Bella Rose Passion are to increase my marketing with our retail partners and share the quality benefits of our amazing products while working on a lifetime goal to create a skin enhancement beauty spa.
How have the pandemic and Lockdown affected you or your new business?
During the pandemic, my husband I were able to focus more on family and health as I had to undergo Emergency Spinal Surgery and experienced COVID symptoms shortly after, all while our business was more successful than ever with online sales at an all-time high, our brand is very high in demand because of the results our supporters show their social media. I signed my final Target contract a day after surgery in a neck brace because I was determined not to allow anything to get in the way of our career growth.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
Honestly, I do not allow myself to see anyone or brand as a competitor because then that will mean I am in a race with them and I am not, I choose to enjoy this success at my own pace. I am here for all small businesses and entrepreneurs to grow it is enough opportunity in this lifetime for us all to enjoy respectfully.
What were the top three mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from them?
Oh my I made every mistake it was to make but my Top 3 were:
- Investing all my money into the inventory, with no marketing, no business plan, and no audience ( AND I MEAN ALL MY MONEY ) I was broke with a bunch of inventory in my kitchen.
- My top 2 mistakes were listening to EVERYONE’s business advice that didn’t have a business.
- My Top 3 business mistake was trying to be so likable to everyone, I was trying to please everyone and trying to get to know everyone, Instead of focusing on becoming A Respected Business Woman.
I had to learn the difference and it as a difference, everyone doesn’t like their boss but they respect them and get the job done, vs. If your Boss is way too friendly your not going to care if you call out and don’t get the job done, because then you feel your boss is cool they won’t mind. But when it’s your brand and name online you’re left with the reputation, not the employees/vendors/etc. that you wanted to please. So Boss Up and teach ppl how to treat you.
Tell us a little bit about your marketing process, what has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
The most successful form of marketing for Bella Rose Passion has been social media ads, I had to work with a few different agencies after I saw that I couldn’t do it myself, but I finally found the agency that fits with our brand she knows our wording to our audience and she also is familiar with our products to share the benefits to our audience.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge has been trying to operate a successful business, while being a homeschool educator to our children, being a super mom and wife… While each of them is 24 hour 7-day responsibilities that require my unconditional attention, I overcame the challenge by incorporating our business into family time but not taking over our family time.
My husband has a business and finance degree, so he is the business manager and financial consultant for Bella Rose Passion, our daughter is the brand ambassador, our oldest son is the inventory manager, and our youngest son handles packaging materials. The kids enjoy being a part of the process, and they for sure enjoy their paychecks..lol
What was your first business idea and what did you do with it?
My first business idea was to open a women’s clothing boutique, I opened a brick & mortar in Jonesboro, GA and it was cute, but it failed within 7 months of not having any knowledge of the fashion industry and also with being a new resident in Georgia I did not know anyone to get the brand known, I met a woman from Philly who was a designer she encourages me to get known, so we started selling our clothes at flea markets, pop-ups, and even strip clubs. I didn’t have the drive to continue because my heart was not into fashion.
What are you learning now? Why is that important?
I am learning how important marketing and my target audience are. It is important because without marketing my brand would have no exposure to the millions of people on social media daily who become our customers and loyal supporters
If you started your business again, what things would you do differently?
If I was to start my business over again, I would start with business funding for marketing, I would build an audience on social media, maybe YouTube to allow supporters to get to know me, my personality and see how important the benefits are from the daily products we use from Bella Rose Passion. I also would build marketing teams in all the colleges to help grow my brand with familiarity.
What are the top 3 online tools and resources you’re currently using to grow your company?
We are currently using Facebook, Pinterest, and SMS Marketing. I recommend Facebook because it is billions of people online that are interested in you, and what you’re interested in (Join Facebook groups ) Same with Pinterest. I recommend SMS marketing because it is an easier and faster way to get to the consumer to keep their interest.
What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
A productivity tip I swear by is you will get the same results you put in, trust the process, you control your narrative. You put in positive hard work, you will get positive good results.
Can you recommend one book, one podcast, and one online course for entrepreneurs?
I recommend reading “Girl make your money grow” by Glinda Bridgforth, I enjoy listening to so many podcasts but my new favorite at the moment is the Goal Digger by Jenna Kutcher.
What helps you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
My supporters keep me motivated, their experiences with our products, I love to see the results, the pics, the reviews, it gives me chills and I get excited every time. But I honestly get my drive from myself, It is important to have a relationship with yourself, give yourself pep talks, morning motivational talks and meditation increases my confidence.
What is your favorite quote?
If you know better, you do better.
What valuable advice would you give new entrepreneurs starting out?
I would advise new entrepreneurs, to have patience there is no microwave instant success, Take your time to research and listen to mentors.
Who should we interview next and why?
I would nominate my mentor Sharee Gregory Owner & Operator of Salon NV Us she has been in business since she was 17 years old and successfully operated multiple salons and employees while gaining loyal clientele.
What is your definition of success?
My definition of success to being able to look at your past and smile at all the challenges you have overcome, and knowing your ready for whatever comes your way. (Determination) Accomplished Goals and Dreams come true
How can readers get in touch with you?
Please follow me on all social platforms @bellarosepassion and visit the website bellarosepassion.com
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