How It All Started

Sometimes I think to myself, how did I get here?  Honestly, there were so many tiny, and what seemed at the time to be inconsequential steps to where I am today.  

When the idea for Beauty Binder hit me, I was not in a good place.  My marriage was nearing an end, but neither of us were ready to let go, my weight was at an all-time high, and I was no longer inspired by the profession from which I thought I would retire.  

We are taught to graduate high school, go to college, secure a “good” job, get married, buy a house, have a kid or two, and live happily ever after.  I had done all of that.  In that order.  And, yet, here I was questioning every decision I had ever made.

With what I call “Plan B,” I began a deep dive into self-development and learning to trust myself to make the decisions I knew were best for me whether or not I had anyone else’s approval.  I was quiet for the first time.  I wanted to listen to the soft voices, I call God, leading me.  

 So, about three years ago I had this idea that if I could lay my makeup out flat or I just see it all, I would actually use it. It wouldn’t break, and I might be able to clean up my very disorganized  countertop. I thought for sure there had to be something like this out on the market, so I went searching. I found nothing.

At that time, some might have said it was just an attempt to find order in my own life, to feel like I was in control of something and moving forward.  My goal then was to just make it for me. I thought it might be fun.  So, I went down to Rite-Aid and bought posterboard to create a paper prototype.

Over time, I began to see that it wasn’t just a desperate attempt to find order in my life, it was more like a way to create a better life. It began to feel natural  to try to take Beauty Binder to market.  It was an idea that made me excited.  I was desperate to feel inspired and eager in my life again, and Beauty Binder brought back hope and passion to my life.  It gave me a bigger purpose and reminded me who I was and what I was made of. 

The  journey would change me in ways I never knew were possible.  I would learn to trust my gut, question my beliefs, and grow like never before.     

Seven samples later, I have finally created something I am proud of, and I’m ready to release it for other makeup lovers like me.

I started with a simple paper prototype, and after three years of trial and lots of error, I am bringing my creation to market in the next few weeks.

Every step along the way has brought with it new challenges. Most surprising, I think, was dealing with my own limiting beliefs and mind drama around attempting to change my career and my life in my 40’s. The idea doesn’t make much sense to most people when you have a career like I do and a pension. “For heaven’s sake, girl! What are you doing? You have a pension!”

I just think sometimes you can’t predict your path. As hard as you try to plan your life, sometimes the universe has other plans. And this time around, I’m just going to go with my gut and do what feels honest and true.

 

So, thanks for being here and supporting me and my second act. I think it all might turn out okay after all 💕