Glossy Impact
Teenage entrepreneurs start a lip-gloss brand that has a deep commitment to community
By Tabitha Ervin
Ink Spot Contributing Editor
Both Aniyah McLemore and Faith Logan love lip gloss and they love giving back. Friends almost since birth as their moms have attended the same church since they were born, these young middle-school-aged entrepreneurs started their journey of creating StXrm gloss a year ago as the world was shutting down and we were all home.
They have been members of the Unity Performance Arts Choir (UPAF) and attended a virtual Empowerment Boot Camp from home last year where they learned a variety of skills in workshops including self-esteem and how to build a business. During the boot camp they both won a $15 Amazon gift card and used the cards along with money from their parents to invest in their newly formed StXrm lip gloss business.
Both mothers Sandra Logan and Natasha McLemore joined us on a Zoom call to discuss the business and their recent success raising over $1,000 for American Cancer Society's breast cancer walk in October.
Tabitha: How did StXrm gloss get started?
Aniyah and Faith: We were bored while we were home and we won the gift cards from the Empowerment Boot Camp and decided along with our parents' support to start a business.
We did lots of research on ingredients, oils and glitter.
Natasha: It actually turned into a real STEM project as they worked to try to get the right recipe. They tried a lot of combinations and tested the products on themselves before they could start selling it.
Sandra: It was a real trial and error process for the girls and now they’ve had a new and improved product for about 6 months.
Tabitha: Tell me about your recent fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Walk?
Aniyah and Faith: We both have people in our family that have experienced breast cancer, so we wanted to spread awareness and raise money. We were allowed to have a booth at the walk and people stopped by to purchase gloss and add names to our board in memory of those who have battled breast cancer. People could click the link on the Fort Wayne website, text or call our parents and send Cashapp donations. We raised over $1,000!
Tabitha: This is so awesome!
Natasha: Our girls make us really proud and this isn’t the first time they’ve wanted to give back. They love community and giving. And UPAF has taught them to reach back to give back.
Sandra: We raised them in church and showed them giving back and how to donate to others by our involvement in the church. They’ve learned it’s better to give than receive and help others.
Tabitha: How can people connect to you all?
Aniyah and Faith: We have a Facebook page under StXrm Gloss and we are starting a website. Our email is stXrmgloss@gmail.com
Tabitha: Any final thoughts ladies?
Aniyah: In the future we want to add more products and look into items beyond girls or women. We love to talk to other kids and inspire them. We want people to know they should never give up!
Faith: We want youth to know that they should find support as they are starting their business as well.
