JoAnn “JoJo” Emale of Maskee: Five Things You Need To Know To Succeed In The Modern Beauty Industry

Have a plan! Wake up with a vision but turn it into a viable and measurable plan of action. That way you can see quickly what is and isn’t working for your business.

As a part of our series about “Five Things You Need To Know To Succeed In The Modern Beauty Industry”, I had the pleasure of interviewing JoAnn “JoJo” Emale.

JoJo Emale is the inventor of Maskee, the beauty device that prevents makeup from getting on clothes when changing. A former beauty queen and current entrepreneur, JoJo experienced many scenarios that caused herf to find a solution to a common problem in regard to makeup transfer and quick changes. With a background in social entrepreneurship, JoJo is looking to help create economic stimulus in Africa through manufacturing Maskee there in the next few years.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

I am a former beauty queen! My last title was Miss Black Texas USA. During my 10 years of competing, I would always ruin my sponsored designer gowns. I would look around and see that my pageant sisters also were facing my same struggle and were using towels, bags, you name it, just to change clothes. I sketched a design on a napkin and went to work from there.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

When I was in the process of learning trademarks, I decided to secure the name Maskee in January 2020. My name was approved in March 2020 right before the world shut down and everyone was searching for Masks. I learned quickly about the power of owning your intellectual property.

Are you able to identify a “tipping point” in your career when you started to see success? Did you start doing anything different? Are there takeaways or lessons that others can learn from that?

I believe Maskee is in the “Tipping Point” phase. A lot of great things are happening for the brand because of our social media communities. I am constantly learning new ways to amplify my brand digitally and through pitch competitions. So I am excited to see what the next 6 months has in store.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person to whom you are grateful who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

My parents have always allowed me to be as creative as I wanted to be. I remember telling them about Maskee and they looked at me a bit confused but said okay go for it! It is incredible to see them telling people about it and telling me about opportunities they see for my brand. I love that for me.

Ok super. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. The global beauty industry today has grown to more than a half a trillion dollar business. Can you tell us about the innovations that you are bringing to the industry? How do you think that will help people?

Maskee is a key innovation to and for the beauty industry. There isn’t a patented product with a name and identity to a problem like this, Maskee will be the product that every entertainer, bride, and everyday makeup wearer will know to have when they change clothes. This is a staple in multiple industries and I believe a product like this is a true game changer.

Can you share 3 things that most excite you about the modern beauty industry?

1.The diversity and inclusion of the products we are seeing in stores. Now, more than ever, I can see products that are inclusive of more people.

2. The creativity in curating beauty content for social media. I think it is thrilling to see how beauty is now consumed and the unique ways we can meet our customers.

3. The growth in social entrepreneurship among new entrepreneurs is incredible and will truly reshape the world for the better.

Can you share 3 things that most concern you about the industry? If you had the ability to implement 3 ways to improve the industry, what would you suggest?

1. The lack of resources to properly prepare the new comers in the industry. Entrepreneurship is a huge learning curve for anyone, I just would like to see more resources available at an affordable rate for entrepreneurs to learn.

2. The shifts from brick and mortar to digital make it hard to know what is best for your product. So I am interested to see how retailers support beauty brands in this effort.

3. With the world still bouncing back from the pandemic, I would like to see how the supply chain will ramp back up to meet smaller entrepreneurs halfway with pricing.

Ways I would change the industry all start with social entrepreneurship. Which is the idea that we should start businesses with the intention of doing some form of good for others. If we all add one element of service to our brands, we can shift many narratives in this world. I want to see that become a true trend moving forward.

You are an expert about beauty. Can you share a few ideas that anyone can use “to feel beautiful”?

In order to feel beautiful, affirm yourself so that you know who you are. Once you fall in love with yourself, your beauty will speak for itself in how you walk, talk, and live. Validation comes from within and that’s where your beauty lies.

Here is the main question for our discussion. Based on your experience and success, Can you please share “Five Things You Need To Know To Succeed In The Modern Beauty Industry”. Please share a story or an example, for each.

1. Learn how to patent your product if applicable! You never want your ideas stolen.

2. Find your tribe! Being around like minded individuals will reshape your mindset and your business.

3. EGO IS THE ENEMY! You are never too good to get your hands dirty to grow your business.

4. Patience is a virtue, not a hindrance. We live in a fast-paced world so everything needs to seem immediate. The best things in life take time, so be patient, but realistic with your expectations.

5. Have a plan! Wake up with a vision but turn it into a viable and measurable plan of action. That way you can see quickly what is and isn’t working for your business.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

For every entrepreneur to add one element of community service to their brand. The more you give, the more you receive and I promise we will see so much more positivity in this world.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

What is meant for you will never pass you by! Every time I thought my vision for Maskee was unreal, God would show up with a sign to further validate my mission. Do not give up and know when your time comes it will be glorious!

How can our readers follow you online?

Check us out at www.themaskeeshop.com

Business IG @Themaskeeshop

Personal IG: @JoJo.Emale

Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.

About the Interviewer: Jilea Hemmings is a staunch believer in the power of entrepreneurship. A successful career revamping Fortune 500 companies was not enough for her entrepreneurial spirit, so Jilea began focusing her passion in startups. She has successfully built 6 startups to date. Her passion for entrepreneurship continues to flourish with the development of Stretchy Hair Care, focusing on relieving the pain associated with detangling and styling natural black hair. For far too long, people with tender heads have suffered in pain. Until now.