Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Mims.
Andrea, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
You hear so many stories about black women not supporting each other so often in our community where it’s needed and because of that; DreaM Cosmetics was created to show unity, love, and little girls that look like me that we can do anything we put our mind to accomplish. Inspired by my family and close friends that are entrepreneurs, I was able to create some great moments for the world to see. Even though my love for makeup ran deep, I had very little knowledge on how to apply makeup and for that reason, I just didn’t wear it.
Always hearing, “Your too pretty to wear makeup and that “Only ugly girls wore makeup” in returned killed my passion. In 2016, I was invited to my cousin sweet 16 party and for the first time, I had my makeup professionally applied and that’s the night that changed my life. The transformation I saw in the mirror plus the compliments I received were priceless. My passion and love for makeup returned and never left. Knowing I needed to make a career change and start my own business, I personally didn’t want to be just another African American Business Owner, I wanted a meaning behind my name!
Trying to find a name for my company was a difficult process in the beginning. I would walk around in my home with a notebook & pen and jot down ideas I would see on the television, in magazines or even while driving around town looking at billboards. One day, I sat at my table and spelled my complete name on a sheet of paper. I got up to pour me something to drink I noticed my daughter looking over my paper, “I yelled don’t write on my paper.” Walking back to the dining room table, I saw where my daughter had circled dream in my name. I said, “Oh, that’s cute but so common.” I walked around for about two weeks with that sheet of paper and one day, I went to the grocery store where I met an older lady in the checkout line.
While in line the lady turned around and said, “How are you?”. I said, “I’m well and yourself?”. The lady said, “Well, that’s great. It’s great to meet genuine people like yourself. You look stressed in the face. Whatever it is our thinking too hard about it. You will get confirmation tonight.” I was like, “Come again?”. While continuing to check out the lady was short on money, so I offered to pay for the rest of her groceries. The lady said, “thanks for that and be blessed”. I said, “Thanks to you too.” She held her hand out and said, “ I’m Mary.” I said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you?’. She repeated, “I’m Mary with an M.” I said, “Thank you!!!”. At that moment, I knew how I was going to make my new name my own. My family and friends call me Drea and my last name is Mims. I will just capitalize the M. Now, when people see DreaM they know it’s me that’s what sets me apart from others.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth road? I don’t think anything goes smooth in life when dealing with being an entrepreneur. I was fortunate to have minor bumps in the road, I had problems with creating content and staying relevant on social media. During this hard time, my kids would think of different ideas that I could use in my social media content. Instead of hiring outside help I hired my two daughters 11 and 12-year-old Arielle and Mikayla Gibson. All content seen on Instagram and Facebook is run by my daughters. Having help with multiple accounts helps me cut down on stress when promoting and also help me to work efficiently on the back end of the company. Other than those minor bumps in the road this journey has been amazing and a learning experience.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the DreaM Cosmetics story. Tell us more about the business.
DreaM Cosmetics specializes in cosmetics and skincare products. DreaM Cosmetics launched its business on May 1, 2019, and is best known for its Fairy-Tale Palette and its DreaM Lip Collection. As a Brand, we are most proud of being a small Black Business Company in a small city with big dreams. Projects in the near future will bring women closer together for support and unity; we will have positive programs in the community for the youth and just become a positive role model company for the world. I think what makes my company creative and what sets us apart is that the majority of the ideas come from an 11 ad 12-year-old little girls who happen to be my children. My kids are always thinking outside the box. Dealing with social media, the younger generation does well with promoting and knows how to effectively communicate with the media world. So, why not put them to work.
What also sets us apart is that my company has seven Ambassadors, who happen to be black female entrepreneurs. I included these ladies in the structure of my company because they hold a special place in my heart and we all support each other’s dreams. My Ambassadors as follows: Erica Washington (owner of @s.h.e.beauty561), Tess Williams (owner of @paintbox_nailstudio), Monique Alceme (owner of @moe_hairstyles), Latanya Wright (owner of @sflbodysnatcher), Cindy DeJesus (owner of @cin.cityy85), Latoya Neering (owner of @cosmocoutureceo), and Brandy Wright (owner of @kissmyminks).
We always love to ask about the support network – have there been people, perhaps mentors or advisors, who have played a big role in your success?
My Brand Ambassadors as follows: Erica Washington (owner of @s.h.e.beauty561), Tess Williams (owner of @paintbox_nailstudio), Monique Alceme (owner of @moe_hairstyles), Latanya Wright (owner of @sflbodysnatcher), Cindy DeJesus (owner of @cin.cityy85), Latoya Neering (owner of @cosmocoutureceo), and Brandy Wright (owner of @kissmyminks).
Graphic Designer: Divine Pixel (dpigraphix.com) helped by creating logo and flyers for the company.
Parents: They help by keeping me positive and praying me through the process. Always rooting for me when no one was in my corner and always telling me never to give up. Love them!
Gloria Denson
Willie Denson
Lee Mims
Patricia Mims
Supporters/Cheerleaders: No matter what I have going on they are always present or ready to listen.
Dauna Young
Tanya Reed
Raquel Pullens
Tequesta Brinkley
Contact Info:
- Address: 6742 Forest Hill Blvd #255
West Palm Beach, Fl 33413 - Website: www.dreamcosmetics.org
- Email: info@dreamcosmetics.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dream_cosmeticsllc/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamcosmeticsllc/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CosmeticsDream
Submit a story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
