Meteorology to Makeup
How a sophomore in college went from meteorology, to journalism, to a makeup business. Callie Morris interviews Abigail Black about how she started her cosmetics company, Black Beauty.
Callie Morris: So, when we graduated high school you were going to go to school for meteorology. What inspired the switch from no school, no meteorology to “I’m going to go start a makeup business?”
Abigail Black: I realized I was kind of dumb. [Laughs] No, I’m kidding. At OU I was going for meteorology because that’s what my mom wanted me to do. But I realized how much I disliked it so I switched to journalism because I love writing. Then, the first week of sophomore year OU contacted me and said ‘Hey we dropped your financial aid, give us $7,000 or leave.’ So I left and moved back to Tulsa and I was like what else do I love to do? I’ve always loved theater and I’ve always loved makeup and I realized there was no brand who was providing extremely professional, quality makeup at affordable prices. There was a point back in high school where I couldn’t afford theater makeup for a specific role and had to dye my arms green with food coloring. I wore a lot of hoodies in August so no one could see, but I had to go to this extreme length to get the proper makeup. So that’s why decided to invest the last $98 I had to really try and bring this professional quality, cruelty free makeup at extremely affordable prices.
Morris: What did your friends and family think of it at the time when you started your business? Were they supportive? Skeptical? What was the attitude from everybody?
Black: My boyfriend Joshua said if that was what I loved, then do it. My family didn't really care, they were like “Oh, Abigail’s doing something crazy again, its probably not going to work.”
Morris: As a beginning, new, young entrepreneur were there any business skills you had to learn? Was opening a company easier than you thought it would be or were there a lot of challenges you had to figure out?
Black: So whenever I went into I knew there was going to be a lot I had to learn. I’m so thankful for the internet because I didn't have anyone in my life that I could turn to and ask questions. There were so many things I had to learn like budgeting, marketing, how do I build a website, how do I find an audience and that was just the business side of things. That didn’t include anything when it came to cosmetic chemistry and how many hours I had to spend researching that as well. I would go sit in on classes at OU, especially the more in depth chemistry classes just to learn more. I went in knowing I was going to have to learn a ton of stuff to make the business successful.
Morris: Were there any crisis moments staring this where you were like I don’t know if I can do this, and if so what made you keep going and push through that?
Black: I think its with anyone who creates anything that there is going to be times where you think ‘What if no one likes this? What if no one wants horror themed items? What if no one wants an eye shadow named Lizzie Borden?’ I haven't had the thought recently but in the beginning I considered stopping while I was ahead and could still get out of it. Luckily I stuck through it and I think it came down to me absolutely enjoying makeup. It came down to me loving what I did and seeing the positive reviews online and meeting someone at a craft show who loved my product. That made me think that I should stick with this. I love what I do.
Morris: Your brands motto is “Cruelty free. Affordable. Makeup For All.” Why did you decide on those values to be important to you and your company?
Black: Affordable definitely plays in to me not having access to the right cosmetics as I explained earlier. Cruelty free, I mean I’m not a monster. I really am against animal testing because I don’t believe they should be put at risk for harm over an item as simple as mascara. When it comes down to “Makeup For All”- makeup is marketed towards women and it really doesn't build the platform to let men or people who don’t necessarily identify as one or the other have a platform to do cosmetics. There is a negative perception with men using cosmetics and I think that’s awful because I think everyone should have the right to wear and look however they want. I wanted to stress that makeup for all includes every gender and race.
Morris: What are your plans for the business in 2018?
Black: I’m extending my product line like crazy with eyeliners and body paint. Also, as of right now I’m the only brand with brow pomades with alternative colors like blue and yellow, so I’m extending that line within the next week. I’m releasing a palette and a 12 shade lip gloss collection and I’m also going to be doing cosmetic and body glitter. So definitely expanding on products and introducing new collections. I’m also working on our independent website so we can be separate from Etsy.
Morris: Going beyond 2018, where would you like to see the company in five years?
Black: Ideally, I want to introduce our products to brick and mortar stores, but I would love to open up my own store. In about two years I’m projecting myself moving to somewhere like Oregon and I feel my products would thrive there. But you never know, I may die within a year.
Morris: You know what? You’re right, none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Last question! Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to start their own business?
Black: Definitely do your research before you invest any money and doing what you love even if the market is over saturated. This is so generic- follow your passion and heart because if you put your passion into your work you're going to make great items. Don’t listen to the haters.
