Interview with our Founder, YUMMIEO
Every brand, big or small, began with a vision. A vision that before it even comes to pass, is built with vigor, sweat and a whole lot of faith. There will be times when you will feel like giving up or think you might’ve not seen the vision clear enough because of what are experiencing in real life but for those who stay the course, you witness a real life “where it started vs. how it’s going” meme.
For Yummy Extensions and Yummy Beauty Brands there is no exception. Our fearless leader, Yummie O, knows all about the good, the bad and the ugly of executing a vision and has done so successfully since launching Yummy Extensions in 2013. Is there anything Yummie O. cannot do? A Visionary, Girl Boss, Mentor and the ultimate Yummy Girl, Yummie O took a leap of faith and left her career in IT consulting to start her own business in efforts to be more available to her Husband and 4 beautiful daughters. While it hasn’t been all perfect, Yummie has counted all experiences- good and bad and opportunities to become bigger and better as a entrepreneur and most importantly as a Woman. We had a chance to talk with Yummie O and nothing was off limits!
Yummy Extensions has a massive online community and presence along with 2 brick and mortar locations in Dallas, TX and Brooklyn, NY in other words, you have your plate full. What does a typical day look like for you?
Far from typical and everyday is not the same. My team runs the day to day operations, and I oversee all departments. Mentorship and Marketing are my passion and the Yummy brand has grown so much that I am able to do more of that which I love!
What is the most challenging part of managing a global company like Yummy Extensions?
I don’t see this as a challenge but more like something that is inevitable. To stand in the game, you must get of head of it. The importance of being ahead of the trend will ultimately determine the success of your brand.
What was the transition like from having a vision to executing it? It was all God. Every entrepreneur goes through seasons where they question their vision, but I have always been a Woman of faith and I believe that is what carried me through the transition. It can be disheartening to be so passionate about something and not know what steps to take. It was no different for me so I give all of the Glory to God for the providing provision for my vision.
You are amazing. A Tech Queen turned Beauty Queen! In 2020, CNBC published an article speaking on the steady rise of Women in tech. Not only do you have a degree in Business from the University of Houston, but you also majored in Computer Science- how would you describe that transition? I thank God it was seamless- TECH/IT also deals with ecommerce. My experience came in handy when launching my businesses- I had an opportunity to get and stay ahead because of my involvement in the tech world.
What book has had the most impact on you?
I was glued to #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso and Psychology of Selling by Brian Tracy. Both books give amazing insight on two qualities every leadership should have: the ability to be yourself and to know and trust your product. An everyday goal for me is to break the glass ceiling and both books give the knowledge needed to do so!
What gets you fired up?
Having a goal and reaching it- I love creating campaigns with my team and seeing it come to life. It never gets old. Branding is the energy to what any brand is doing so I enjoy going through the journey. I thrive off the energy of my team as well. Many may not know about my passion for mentorship. I love meeting woman in business, encouraging them and giving them the insight, I wish I would’ve received more of from other women.
What was something you learned later in life that you wish you would’ve known sooner?
Don’t stay down. We all get pushed down, its unavoidable but I charge you to get up, rebuild if needed and keep going! You never know if right when you were going to quit your breakthrough was around the corner. Don’t miss it by quitting!
What are your success habits?
Never stop being a student, remain humble and give all the Glory to God.
How do you push through your worst times?
It is hard to keep a Woman of Faith down- Prayer, family and close network for support gets me through those tough times.
What advice would you give someone trying to build a team? It can be difficult to find people who share your values.
Developing a strong company culture is absolutely imperative when building your team. Be selective and exercise caution when hiring. I would say finding a mentor to support and guide you every step of the way is underrated. This will save you time, energy and will help you bypass the trial and errors that will often come without proper mentorship. I would recommend anyone interested to book a Discovery meeting with me to get the discussion going on how you can turn your vision into reality.
What advice do you give to someone who doesn’t have the funds to get started?
I will say "start where you are!" Start with a product or collection of products with the lowest entry points (costs) and a high demand. Continue to reinvest in your business and stay consistent. Don't be too quick to take out a loan because It builds unnecessary pressure and anxiety earlier on in business. Start with what you have!
There you have it! We are so fortunate to have such an extraordinary Visionary leading us to the next level. Be sure to follow Yummie O on Instagram @iamyummieo and to book your next discovery call here
SOURCES:
https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/meet-the-founders-of-3-awesome-black-owned-beauty-brands.html