Skincare brand Skinergy Beauty was designed to meet the skincare needs of women of color. Owner Priscilla Jiminian created the brand when she realized that as an Afro-Latina her own skincare needs weren’t being met by what was available. The Knockturnal spoke with Priscilla about Skinergy Beauty and being an entrepreneur.
The Knockturnal: At what moment did you realize you needed to enter the skincare industry?
Priscilla Jiminian: I was experimenting with products to achieve the “glass skin” look. As much as I found this notion of clear and translucent skin to be interesting, the products required too many steps – which took up too much of my time. I realized there had to be a simpler way to combat multiple skin concerns with less steps and less products in less time.
At the same time, I was already selling hundreds of Dark Spot Correcting Cream (which was formulated in the Dominican Republic in 2017) to my Instagram followers. That’s when it became clear to me that I should officially start Skinergy Beauty, and expand the skincare line. I knew there had to be a way to minimize the use of so many products.
The Knockturnal: What was it like building Skinergy Beauty from the ground up?
Priscilla: Building the business has been simultaneously exhilarating and stressful. When I entered the skincare industry, I was still working full-time in real estate. I invested most of my personal income to sustain Skinergy Beauty and legitimize it as a business. I taught myself everything by doing extensive research, and incorporating what I knew as a self-employed professional with a decade of customer service knowledge. As a creative, I also knew I wanted to bring my vision to fruition in the best way possible – and really capture the clean look and feel of the Skinergy Beauty product line. It was risky to take this route – without any outside monetary help such as loans – but it was a leap of faith that paid off and I’m thankful.
The Knockturnal: What has been your biggest challenge with creating your own skincare line?
Priscilla: Learning how to find the perfect work/life balance is always a challenge – whether you are self-employed or work for someone else. When you wear all of the hats, it is so easy to lose yourself or spread yourself too thin.
I have to constantly remind myself to take a mental break (and even take days off) to relax and enjoy other things. As much as I love what I do, it is still a job because I oversee and operate every aspect of the business. Sometimes, you can burn out. Balance is key.
The Knockturnal: Being Afro-Latina, what has it been like being a representative as well as an inspiration for young women?
Priscilla: It has been incredibly humbling to be a part of the representation of Afro-Latinas, because diversity and inclusion is lacking in the beauty industry. My hope is to continue to inspire all people and women of color to break the barriers, aim high and never let fear dictate your decisions. It doesn’t matter if someone else did it before you or if it’s unfamiliar territory you’re going into, we all have dreams and goals we want to attain. Persevere, and make it happen.
The Knockturnal: How were you able to create a skincare line that was inclusive of diverse skin types, tones, and needs?
Priscilla: It is a very personal journey, based on what my skin needed. I had the advantage of connecting with many other people of color via social media, and listened to what their skincare needs.
Reactive, sensitized skin requires simple, gentle, natural ingredients to help soothe and calm the skin. That was the basis when I expanded Skinergy Beauty to include a serum, moisturizer, toner and now a cleanser.
The Knockturnal: What advice would you give to someone interested in entrepreneurship?
Study the particular industry as much as possible. Align yourself with like-minded individuals that are in similar industries. The learning will never end – so buy the books, read the articles, watch the videos. Become well-versed and cultivated, become an expert. Execute the idea from start to finish. Study the competition. Learn basic accounting, the state laws that you may need to know as a business owner, and how to pay quarterly taxes.
Make sure to own your brand name; i.e.: trademark or copyright. Buy your domain, get the social media handles for your brand, and make sure that everything looks the same and is consistent across the board. Cohesion is vital for recognition and growth.
Finally, know your audience and customers – they are the most important factor in determining your success.
Photo Courtesy of Skinergy Beauty
