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As a part of the Morning Lazziness collection about empowering girls who encourage and do unbelievable issues with their concepts in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rica Elysèe.
Rica Elysèe is a visionary entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of BeautyLynk, a tech-enabled platform revolutionizing the wonder trade by connecting magnificence professionals with purchasers for on-demand, in-home appointments. With a deal with serving girls of coloration, BeautyLynk affords customized hair, make-up, and nail providers within the consolation of purchasers’ properties. Impressed by her expertise serving to a member of the family discover in-home magnificence care, Rica acknowledged the necessity for a extra inclusive and accessible magnificence service mannequin. She has since constructed a nationwide community empowering each purchasers and professionals. Rica can also be the co-founder of #AtTheTable, a group initiative that helps and uplifts girls founders. By means of her work, Rica champions fairness, accessibility, and innovation in each magnificence and tech.
What impressed you to turn into an entrepreneur within the magnificence trade, and what led to the creation of your model or product line?
I launched BeautyLynk out of non-public necessity. Whereas caring for a liked one with restricted mobility, I noticed firsthand how exhausting it was to entry skilled magnificence care at dwelling. That have sparked the concept to construct a platform connecting individuals to licensed magnificence professionals for on-location providers. Since then, BeautyLynk has advanced right into a nationwide tech-powered market redefining how magnificence providers are booked, delivered, and customized, with a deep deal with inclusion {and professional} excellence.
As a girl navigating the wonder enterprise world, what distinctive challenges have you ever confronted, and the way did you overcome them?
As a Black girl constructing on the intersection of magnificence and tech, I’ve needed to navigate being neglected, particularly when it got here to entry to capital. Regardless of elevating no conventional enterprise funding, we’ve constructed a platform with nationwide attain and generated actual traction. I leaned into our mission, cultivated strategic partnerships, and let execution converse louder than notion. We’ve since secured $850K in funding and earned belief by grit, outcomes, and group.
The wonder trade might be each aggressive and demanding—how do you preserve private well-being whereas rising your model?
Effectively-being for me is rooted in boundaries and intentional presence. As a mom of twins and a founder, I’ve discovered that relaxation fuels readability. I create house in my schedule for reflection and defend it like I do essential investor calls. I additionally depend on my staff, as a result of constructing one thing impactful isn’t a solo sport.
Which networking methods, communities, or collaborations have helped you construct significant connections within the magnificence house?
I’ve discovered energy in purpose-aligned communities. Techstars, the W.E. Construct program in Tulsa, and founder collectives just like the Feminine Founder Collective have been game-changers. I’ve additionally prioritized displaying up in sudden rooms—conferences, civic occasions, and accelerator showcases—as a result of visibility usually creates alternative lengthy earlier than funding does.
How do you strategy mentorship—each as a mentee and mentor—and the way has it influenced your development as a magnificence entrepreneur?
Mentorship has been important in my development. I’ve had the honour of studying from advisors who challenged me to suppose larger and execute smarter. In flip, I mentor aspiring founders and wonder professionals to assist them see their potential extra clearly. At BeautyLynk, we even present development tracks for professionals on our platform, serving to them transition from gig staff to enterprise homeowners.
What methods have labored finest for gaining loyal clients and constructing belief in your magnificence model?
We lead with transparency and verified experience. Each professional on our platform is licensed, vetted, and matched to purchasers based mostly on actual knowledge and desires. Clients belief us as a result of we meet them the place they’re—with versatile choices, actual critiques, and repair high quality they will rely on. Consistency builds credibility.
Which advertising methods have been best for your online business, and the way do you measure their success?
Content material and group are our strongest property. We use storytelling, customized drip campaigns, and focused search engine marketing to succeed in and retain our viewers. We additionally use platforms like Gotolstoy to create interactive onboarding experiences. Success for us is measured in engagement, retention, and—most significantly—referrals. When clients advocate for us, we all know we’re delivering worth.
Are you able to share a significant setback or turning level in your magnificence entrepreneurship journey, and the way you navigated by it?
The pandemic pressured us to pause providers completely. It was a gut-wrenching second, however it gave us time to rebuild smarter. Throughout that point, we targeted on automation, scalability, and enhancing our backend instruments. That shift helped us relaunch with higher programs, extra resilience, and a clearer sense of objective.
What’s one piece of recommendation you’d supply to girls who’re simply beginning their entrepreneurial journey within the magnificence trade?
Don’t watch for validation. If the issue is actual and the mission is obvious, you have already got sufficient to begin. Construct what you want existed—and keep near your buyer. Their suggestions is your finest investor within the early days.
Is there a quote, mantra, or philosophy that guides your decision-making and management as a magnificence entrepreneur?
“Your frustration is your gasoline.” Each innovation we’ve created was born from a second the place I felt one thing wasn’t working—and I refused to just accept it. I imagine in turning ache factors into pathways.
What Are The 5 Issues You Want To Overcome Self-Doubt and Construct Confidence?
- Readability of mission – When you realize your why, you don’t get misplaced in another person’s doubt.
- Proof of progress – Doc the small wins—they’re your receipts that you just’re rising.
- Supportive circle – Your power is sacred. Encompass your self with individuals who remind you of who you’re.
- Resilience rituals – Construct routines that floor you—whether or not it’s journaling, meditating, or power-walking into your future.
- Permission to pivot – Confidence comes if you enable your self to evolve with out disgrace. Development shouldn’t be a straight line.
In the event you may encourage a motion that will carry probably the most quantity of fine for the best variety of individuals, what would that be?
I’d launch a world motion that invests in magnificence professionals as wellness suppliers—not simply service staff. These professionals do greater than hair and make-up—they uplift confidence, present care, and sometimes act as emotional first responders. Let’s construct programs that acknowledge, fund, and empower them because the leaders they already are.
How can our readers additional comply with your work on-line?
You’ll be able to study extra about our work at www.beautylynk.com and comply with our journey on Instagram at @beautylynk and @ricatheceo. We often share behind-the-scenes appears to be like, founder insights, and ideas from our community of unbelievable professionals.
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