Ginger is the secret beauty weapon we never knew we needed. Its existence dates back to 14th century India and Southern Asia, where it was used for both internal consumption and topical use. When you consider ginger root’s internal makeup of over 20 antioxidants and distinct aroma, its longstanding popularity is basically a no brainer.
That’s why Lisa Jones has made it the star ingredient of her Ginger Yum line. Every soap bar, massage candle (in our May box!) and body butter contains the magical veggie. Consequently, using any of her products guarantees smoother, firmer and healthier skin. We can rant and rave about Ginger Yum for days, but Lisa’s journey as a black business owner is just as compelling.
After spending almost 30 years with a Fortune 500 company, the Memphis native decided to combine that corporate experience with a natural entrepreneurial spirit to start her own small business.
No matter your level of expertise, there’s a lot to be learned from the journey of black women like Lisa Jones. Keep reading for some beauty boss talk that will inspire your own entrepreneur journey.
Roadmaps are the key to success.
Most small businesses require the owner to leave a 9-5 life behind, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare beforehand. While living in Atlanta and working full time , Lisa took classes through the Small Business Association and used those same resources to map out a marketing plan for Ginger Yum.
“Check with your local library and chamber of commerce for small business offerings as well,” she adds. “Invest in an electronic bookkeeping program such as QuickBooks to aid in running the business. That way you will not have to take so much time on back logging and entry.”
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The customer always comes first.
No matter the industry you work in, it’s important to identify and cater to whomever you want the customer to be. Keep this in mind as you learn what does and doesn’t work from a business standpoint. It’s very easy for customer needs to get lost in the mix as you experience setbacks. For Lisa, Ginger Yum customers are black men and women.
“As a black woman, I am in awe of those that laid the path for me including my grandmother and grandfather. It’s in that spirit as a people person, I have always had the motto to treat people the way I wanted to be treated.
The most important advice I received was to listen to the customer and follow your heart. Never short cut and always produce quality product. Whenever discouraged, reflect back to your ‘why’ and your businesses core values.”
Start small and utilize outside platforms.
Part of what makes starting a business seem intimidating is this expectation that it has to be perfect from the start. Wrong! In fact, starting small leaves more room for fast improvements. For Lisa, this meant her core staples across several sites, including her own and Etsy.
“Build upon your idea and do the research. Start small, do not try to have so many products at once,” she adds. “Have patience and take the required educational courses to have the full ‘knowledge of’ in the field, but also keep learning to stay innovative and authentic. As a new entrepreneur, it is important to utilize multiple platforms to reach your targeted customer.”
Shop the entire Ginger Yum line here and if you’re a subscriber, head over to our Facebook page for a quick tutorial on the Soy Massage Candle!