Right before her 10th birthday, Zandra Cunningham launched Zandra Beauty. After she was told “no” to buying a lip balm at the store, she decided she would make her own at home. She and her mother would experiment with different ingredients and scents until finding formulations they liked. Slowly but surely, their little experiments at home turned into a brand.
Known for her love of beauty products at a young age, she wanted her company to empower other young girls like her. What makes Zandra Beauty unique, is that her products are packed with natural ingredients filled with nutrient-rich, plant-based skincare that promotes healthy skin while improving self-confidence. She targets her passion towards young girls, donating 10% of every purchase made to support the education of young girls across the globe. She also partnered with a non-profit corporation in Buffalo, NY called Girls Education Collaborative (GEC) that also helps young women gain access to education.
Reading about Zandra’s experience and how she flourished in her company is really inspiring. Being 21 years old now and learning more about the industry, she continues to refine and her formulas and inventory. She said something that really stuck with me, “There are so many brands doing similar things, but there’s still so much room to grow,” she says. “Your customers are out there, you just have to find something that’s going to set you apart.” I think this is great advice, the economy is growing every day, what can we find that sets our own business or ideas apart from everyone else?
It’s crazy how this big business was created from the simple act of not being allowing to buy the lip balm she wanted. I like the quote you included, I think we often forget that there’s always room for growth and improvement even in highly saturated markets.