Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Fitzpatrick.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Morgan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
MTF Cosmetics launched on August 4, 2017. Before officially launching, I would say it was an interesting journey to get to that point, simply because I had no clue what I was doing. I was 19 when I started working on this dream and 20 when I launched. I got to where I am today with hard work, persistence, and dedication.
When first starting out, I literally threw myself into the fire. It was my sophomore year at George Mason University, and I was really into beauty, whether it was doing my own face, shopping for the latest makeup products, or finding myself deep in the YouTube beauty tutorials rabbit hole, I loved it. Also, seeing my mom glammified while growing up played a role. While thinking about my life goals and achievements, I knew that I always wanted to own my own business one day, and then as I got more into beauty, it just clicked and here we have MTF Cosmetics.
I pondered on a name for a few weeks, ultimately decided on MTF, and then decided to draw and come up with my logo. Pink Lips with MTF Cosmetics right through the middle. Solidifying my artwork, I handed it off to a friend who brought my logo to life. Next up, setting up my website and starting to build up my social media networks. I started off with four products, handmade pressed highlighters, which worked for all skin tones. That was ultimately my goal at the time, to create products that worked for all shades and tones, especially for black women. Three years ago, I wasn’t even able to really name ten black-owned beauty brands that weren’t small businesses. How many black-owned beauty brands have you seen in Sephora? Ulta? Have their own stores and pop-ups? Especially three years ago? Exactly. This is something that also fueled my fire.
Fast forward to now, I’ve sold out on numerous occasions, shipped products all over the world, had a successful brand collaboration, featured in numerous magazines and press, and so much more. Three years in and I am still just getting started, but I am proud of where I’ve been, where I’m at now, and where I’m going.
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?
Not at all! Since I just threw myself into the fire, not really knowing what I was doing or honestly the steps to running a business, and a successful business at that, the journey has not been easy at all. We would be here all day if I went down the list of struggles, but when you have goals that you want to reach and not knowing the steps to get there, that is a challenge within itself. You literally have to figure it out as you go, and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing for the last three years. Each day you have a chance to learn and to grow. Now that I am more established and I do understand the ins and outs of the business, it definitely makes the journey worth it. Will I say it has gotten easier? Not at all? With more success comes more failures, obstacles, ups and downs, you name it, but it’s the drive and determination that you must keep going. Believe in yourself, believe in your brand, stay faithful, stay true, and you’ll be able to make it through.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
At MTF Cosmetics, we believe Beauty is Power. We are dedicated to showing just how powerful one can be through the use of makeup. We strive for inclusivity, making sure women in beauty have the tools needed to feel powerful. I started off first selling pressed highlighters in 4 shades and they were handmade, created, packaged, and shipped from my dorm room in between classes. I then expanded to loose powder highlighters, lip gloss, eyebrow definers, and recently just launched a creamy lipstick collection this past August. I also was able to create a product collaboration with Makeup For Women Of Color in 2017, about 3 months after I first launched, on a loose powder highlighter for women with darker and deeper tones. That product collaboration was featured in Popsugar Beauty, Glamour, and Allure magazine. As I continue to expand and scale the brand, I hope that one day I will be able to have my own store.
What were you like growing up?
To keep it brief, I would say that I was very reserved, independent, and I was such a girly girl. I loved all things beauty and fashion, and they were my first loves and still are today. I loved all things pink and purple, and I loved all things art and reading. Looking back and reflecting, I definitely fit into the category of a young creative and it’s so beautiful to see that within myself today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mtfcosmetics.com/
- Email: contact@mtfcosmetics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtfcosmetics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MTF-Cosmetics-112736083880590/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mtfcosmetics?lang=en
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGymN1wj5oUJXSUeM2zKq8g/featured?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
Jacob Webster
Brianna Roberson
Kayla Evans
Julius Boateng
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