The Beauty Spectrum is an innovative online learning platform dedicated to empowering beauty professionals through accessible and comprehensive education. We offer a wide range of courses, allowing both aspiring and experienced beauty experts to expand their skills, knowledge, and creativity. Unique to our platform, beauty professionals can also become instructors, sharing their expertise while earning passive income. At The Beauty Spectrum, our mission is to create a supportive community that fosters growth, inclusivity, and success for all members of the beauty industry.

Can you tell our readers about your background?
I started my journey in the beauty industry when I was just 17 years old by launching a lash extension business. Even at that young age, I knew I had a passion for beauty and wanted to make it my career. My love for the industry grew as I continued to learn more, and I was always eager to expand my knowledge and skills. My early start allowed me to gain hands-on experience, build a clientele, and understand the unique needs and desires of my customers. This experience gave me a strong foundation and helped me realize that I wanted to do something more significant in the beauty space — something that could have a broader impact and help others succeed in their beauty careers.

What inspired you to start your business?
I was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the body, at a young age. Living with lupus has shaped my journey in ways I never expected. There are days when I feel great, and then there are days when I feel unwell and can't work at my full capacity. This unpredictability made it challenging to manage a client-based business, where I needed to be physically present every day. However, I didn’t want to give up on the beauty industry, which I love so much. I began to think creatively about how I could remain involved without being tied to a daily schedule. The idea of creating an online lash extension course came to mind, but soon I realized there was an opportunity to do even more. I saw a gap in the market for an online learning platform that catered specifically to beauty professionals, where they could find high-quality education, gain new skills, and grow their businesses. That’s when I decided to launch The Beauty Spectrum — a platform designed to empower and support beauty entrepreneurs like myself.

Where is your business based?
The beauty of being an online learning platform is that we can reach people from anywhere in the world. While The Beauty Spectrum operates globally, I'm personally based in Orlando, Florida. Being in Orlando allows me to connect with a local community of beauty professionals and educators, while also enjoying the flexibility of working with people from all over the globe. The online nature of the business has been a blessing, especially during times when in-person interactions are limited. It gives us the freedom to expand without geographical boundaries, helping us reach a wider audience of aspiring beauty professionals.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
Starting my business was both an exciting and challenging process. The first step was finding the right developer to help create the platform I envisioned. I knew that the website had to be more than just functional — it needed to provide a seamless, engaging experience for users. I spent months researching different developers and web development companies, trying to find someone who understood my vision and had the technical expertise to bring it to life. It took a lot of trial and error, and nearly a year of back-and-forth communication, to finally find the right partner who could build the platform to my standards. At the same time, I also worked on creating the course content, reaching out to potential instructors, and developing a marketing strategy to introduce The Beauty Spectrum to the world. It was a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating process, but seeing my vision come to life made it all worthwhile.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
Social media has been our most powerful tool for raising awareness so far. Platforms like Instagram have allowed us to connect directly with beauty professionals, enthusiasts, and potential clients. I make a point to engage regularly with our audience, whether it’s through Instagram Stories, creative reels, or collaborations with beauty professionals. I’ve found that sharing valuable content — like beauty tips, industry insights, and success stories from our platform — helps build trust and credibility with our audience. Additionally, leveraging the power of community-building on social media has allowed us to start to create a loyal following and drive word-of-mouth referrals. We’ve also started to use email marketing and content marketing strategies, like blogging, to provide more in-depth information and keep our audience engaged.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges was building the website. I initially thought it would be a straightforward process, but I quickly learned how complex it could be. I didn’t know much about web development, and I found it hard to judge whether my developers were on the right track. At one point, I realized they weren’t delivering what I had envisioned. It was frustrating, but instead of giving up, I decided to educate myself. I read articles, watched videos, and even took online courses about website development and management. This knowledge empowered me to communicate better with my developers, make informed decisions, and ensure that my platform was being built correctly. Another challenge was finding the right team to support my vision. I learned that it's crucial to work with people who not only have the right skills but also share your passion and understand your goals. Over time, I built a team that truly believes in the mission of The Beauty Spectrum.

How do you stay focused?
Staying focused can be challenging, especially when you’re running a business, working a regular job to pay the bills, and managing a illness like lupus. However, I always keep my vision in mind — the bigger picture of what I want The Beauty Spectrum to become. I have a clear goal of helping others succeed in their beauty careers, and I remind myself of this purpose every day. I also set specific, small achievable goals for myself, which helps keep me on track and motivated. I try to maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout, which includes taking breaks when needed and not being too hard on myself when things don’t go as planned.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
The Beauty Spectrum stands out because we are truly dedicated to the beauty industry and the professionals within it. While there are many online learning platforms, very few cater specifically to beauty professionals, and even fewer offer a marketplace model like ours. Our platform allows beauty professionals to become instructors, create their own courses, and generate passive income while sharing their expertise with others. This not only provides value to our learners but also empowers educators to build their own brands and businesses. We also focus heavily on community-building and support, providing resources and networking opportunities that help our users grow beyond just the courses they take. Our goal is to be more than just a learning platform — we want to be a community where beauty professionals can thrive.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Social media marketing has been our most effective strategy so far, particularly on Instagram. We use Instagram not only to showcase our offerings but also to build a sense of community and engagement among our audience. By posting educational content, beauty tutorials, behind-the-scenes looks, and testimonials from our users, we create a dynamic and interactive presence that resonates with our target market. Starting at the end of September, we’ll also be visiting beauty schools to introduce The Beauty Spectrum to a new audience in person. We believe that meeting potential students face-to-face will help us build trust and grow our community even further.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
My best piece of advice is to keep going and stay consistent, no matter what. The journey of entrepreneurship is filled with highs and lows, and there will be days when you feel stuck or question your progress. But it’s important to remember that every step you take is bringing you closer to your goal. Stay true to your vision, believe in yourself, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Also, be open to learning and adapting — the business world is constantly evolving, and flexibility is key. And lastly, surround yourself with people who support your dreams and are willing to grow with you.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
My favorite app is Netflix because it allows me to unwind and escape into a different world when I need a break. It's so important to take time to relax and recharge, especially when you're running a business. My favorite blog is Business Insider and Forbes, as I love reading about other entrepreneurs’ success stories — they inspire me to keep going and remind me that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. When it comes to books, my current favorite is “Power Moves” by Sarah Jakes Roberts. It offers tips on recognizing what's holding me back from success and provides strategies to overcome those obstacles.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Canva is my absolute favorite business tool. It’s incredibly user-friendly and makes creating professional-looking graphics, presentations, and social media posts a breeze, even if you don’t have a design background. I use it for almost all of our content creation needs, from Instagram posts to marketing materials. It saves me a lot of time and money, which is essential for any entrepreneur, especially when you’re just starting out.

Who is your business role model? Why?
Emma Grede, Issa Rae, Conna Walker, and Olamide Olowe are my inspirations. Emma Grede is the co-founder and CEO of Good American, a fashion brand that promotes inclusivity and body positivity, and also a founding partner of SKIMS, a shapewear and loungewear brand known for its diverse size range and emphasis on comfort and style. Issa Rae is an actress, writer, and producer who founded Hoorae, her own media company, to champion diverse and authentic storytelling. Conna Walker is the founder of House of CB, a fashion brand that achieved global success through innovative social media marketing. Olamide Olowe is the founder of Topicals, a skincare brand focused on making clinical care fun and accessible while promoting skin health and confidence for all. These women all started with little and turned their ideas into hugely successful businesses, breaking barriers and redefining what it means to be a female entrepreneur. Their journeys inspire me to push boundaries, challenge norms, and pursue my vision with determination.

How do you balance work and life?
I’ve gotten better at this over time. I realized I don’t want to look back and see that I was so focused on work that I neglected my relationships. Family and friendships are incredibly important to me, so I’ve learned to set boundaries around my work time. I make sure to disconnect from work in the evenings and on weekends to spend time with my loved ones. I also practice self-care, whether it's through working out, watching tv, or simply taking a walk outside. I've found that when I take care of myself and make time for the people who matter, I’m more energized and productive in my business.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?
Spending quality time with family and watching movies is my go-to for relaxation. My mind is constantly racing with business ideas and plans, so it’s important to unplug, unwind, and recharge every now and then.

What do you have planned for the next six months?
I have a few exciting plans for the next six months! I’ll be visiting beauty schools to connect with students and generate new leads. I’m also focused on improving the platform in every way possible — making it more user-friendly, updating the design, and adding new features to enhance the overall experience for both learners and instructors. Additionally, I’ll be working on building partnerships with beauty professionals to attract more instructors to our platform and expand the variety of courses we offer.

How can our readers connect with you?
You can reach us via email at contact@thebeautyspectrum.com, on Instagram at @the_beauty_spectrum, or through our website, www.thebeautyspectrum.com.