QuestionHi Linda,
Your probably going to think im far too young to be mapping out my future, im 15 but I've known for a while what I'd like to do career wise. I have a slight 'obsession' with make-up, beauty, skincare and haircare etc, It's my passion to try out products and give advice to people, I've become quite good in this area now. I'm also incredibly interested in businesses and I'd love to try and create and market some of my own products in the future. How would I go about doing this?
Hope you can help, Amy
AnswerDear Amy~
I apologize for the delay in responding to you. I do not think you are too young to be thinking about your future! In order to prepare for a career in the beauty industry, here are the following things I would suggest you focus on today at your age:
1) Subscribe to HAPPI, either online or through hard copy. One of the leading industry trade magazines. You can Google it and see what it has to offer.
2) Take as many marketing classes as you can in school and in college.
3) Read marketing books.
4) Read books that share success stories of people making it big. There are lots of growing pains, frustrations and obstacles to growing your own business, regardless of what it is. You need a lot of stick-to-itiveness that will develop in part by reading others stories.
5) Google the following subjects and acquire as much knowledge as you can: developing your own line of skin care products, developing your own line of cosmetics, developing your own line of personal care products, a career in the beauty industry, personal care product development, beauty expert, marketing your products successfully......
6) When you feel like you have amassed enough knowledge, begin a blog where people can come and converse with you on various beauty topics you write about. You're probably ready to do that now! You will develop a following of people who respect your opinions. This audience will also purchase products from you once you launch your own products.
7) Establish a good credit rating. You will need bank funding to help you launch a line. Getting a credit card as soon as your parents will allow and paying your bills on time each and every month will help you establish a good credit rating so that banks will want to loan you money when the time comes.
I wish you enormous success, Amy. And, again, please forgive my delay in responding to you sooner. I'm busy developing skin care products for my clients! A career I, too, am passionate about! :)
Linda Gearke
Strictly Personal - The Personal Care Marketing Experts
