At just nine years old, Zandra Cunningham was a self-proclaimed “classic girly-girl” and was constantly asking her parents for various makeup and face products. After receiving the answer “no” on multiple occasions, Zandra had the idea to simply make her own beauty products. By the time Zandra turned ten, her handmade makeup and skincare business, Zandra Beauty, had launched.
Zandra went through much “trial and error” when first crafting her products. She played around with different ingredients until she discovered how to make the right formulas she wanted. Zandra first sold her products at local farmers markets until she started an Etsy shop at age twelve. Her brand stood out as it was one of the only affordable beauty brands with organic, vegan, and plant-based ingredients. Zandra Beauty now has its own website, and is also sold at Walmart, Costco, Whole Foods Market, and more. There is also something very unique and purposeful about the packaging of Zandra’s products, as it is full of inspiring words and affirmations and incorporates a playful, bright color scheme. Zandra even explained her goal in educating women through her packaging, stating, “I want my packaging to help girls navigate what each term means, and how to read and check ingredients.”
Zandra is now twenty-one years old and has grown up alongside her business over the years. While the brand has grown and evolved greatly, Zandra says her goals have remained the same: “Our main focus is to push out amazing products that are safe for everyone and the earth, but also to make sure that we’re building a relationship with our customers.” In the coming years, Zandra hopes to break ground on a new facility, which will act as the brand’s headquarters. She also wants to start experimenting with selling additional, more sophisticated skincare, such as facial serums and oils. Zandra’s advice for young entrepreneurs is to embrace what you know and celebrate small wins. She also emphasizes the importance of finding your people, who will help you succeed and lead you to new ideas and opportunities.
It’s amazing to see such a young entrepreneur create such a successful business out of a passion! This story really shows all the aspects and stages of entrepreneurship well.
It’s crazy to think that she made the products through trial and error and at such a young age. Also, I like the way that she didn’t have a way of getting makeup because her parents said no when she asked for them, so that’s why she made she’s own.
This was a very well-written post and so fun to read, so great job! My mom was a makeup consultant when I was little so growing up, I was always experimenting with makeup and this story really resonates with me. I especially love that packaging of her products. In a world of negativity, she used a small but impactful way to shine a little light and that is truly inspiring.