This interview is with Zoe Akinbodunse, Executive Producer/Showrunner.

Zoe Akinbodunse, Executive Producer/Showrunner

Zoe, you've achieved incredible success across multiple fields, including modeling, acting, music, and entrepreneurship. Could you share with our audience of cosmetologists what initially drew you to the world of beauty and how your diverse experiences have shaped your perspective on this industry?

I have definitely achieved incredible success in multiple fields, including modeling, acting, music, and entrepreneurship. However, makeup and the self-expression that comes with beauty initially drew me to the world of beauty. I truly believe that makeup is one of the best forms of self-expression yet.

Ever since I was little, I have worked as a makeup artist for highly successful people in business and in the entertainment industry. Seeing people's whole identity and self-esteem transform just by learning more about the world of beauty through makeup and the self-expression that comes with beauty was so transformative for me as well, that I knew I had to join the world of beauty. My diverse experiences, watching that smile develop once more, shaped my perspective on the beauty industry because I saw beauty for what it was: another way to express and be yourself for the world, but more importantly, for yourself.

From being a digital influencer to building successful businesses, you've witnessed the evolution of digital marketing firsthand. How has your journey informed your understanding of leveraging digital platforms to build a personal brand, particularly in the beauty and cosmetics space?

My journey informed my understanding of leveraging digital platforms to build a personal brand, particularly in the beauty-and-cosmetics space, because I got the chance to work with other beauty-industry professionals and work for top executives in the world.

A big part of building a personal brand, for me, was working with other beauty-industry professionals in building brands with and for them that would be able to connect with the audience all around the world. I understand that the audience really wants to get better at applying cosmetics through my journey of engaging with them and assisting them with their goals. This then helped me build a personal brand that was welcoming to a community of beauty enthusiasts.

Many cosmetologists dream of starting their own salons or launching their product lines. What key advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs in the beauty industry based on your own experiences?

Many cosmetologists dream of starting their own salons or launching their product lines. A key piece of advice I would give aspiring entrepreneurs in the beauty industry, based on my own experience, is to plan it out and come up with a rough business plan, at a minimum, of how the business is going to be like during the upcoming months.

By being proactive about what you want your salons or product lines to be like in the months ahead, you will be more equipped for success and less stress, which will allow you to maximize profits and the skills needed for the longevity of the salons and/or product lines.

You've been a thought leader in digital marketing for years. What are some common misconceptions beauty professionals have about marketing themselves online, and how can they overcome these challenges?

As a thought leader in digital marketing for years, one can see some common misconceptions beauty professionals have about marketing themselves online, such as the misconception that one has to make long-form videos and the misconception that one cannot team up to help build a personal brand. The myth that one needs every single video they produce to be a long-form video is a myth that should have been exposed a long time ago.

Simply turn your camera on, and marketing yourself online is something that one can easily do and do it professionally and neatly too. I recommend that every beauty professional trying to market themselves online give it a try. One thing I have realized is that although one can go faster by themselves, one can always go further and better with other people in their support system and network. For this reason, I believe that beauty professionals can always overcome the challenge of building a personal brand with the assistance and camaraderie of other people in their support system and network.

Social media plays a crucial role in the beauty industry. What are your top three tips for cosmetologists looking to effectively utilize platforms like Instagram and TikTok to attract clients and showcase their work?

My top three tips for cosmetologists looking to effectively utilize platforms like Instagram and TikTok to attract clients and showcase their work are to get used to talking to a camera, always smile, and put in their best. One should get used to talking to a camera because the quality of their video drastically improves when the onlookers can tell that the cosmetologist is comfortable and at ease.

Being at ease with a camera will put the onlooker at ease and make them want to learn from you much more, attracting more clients as the cosmetologist utilizes platforms to attract clients and showcase their work. Smiling makes the onlookers feel warm and improves your personal brand and loyalty. This is because onlookers want to feel safe and have a good time watching you by making sure you are glad to be there. It will attract clients all the more when you seem friendly with the positive body language of a simple smile.

The third tip for cosmetologists looking to effectively utilize platforms like Instagram and TikTok to attract clients and showcase their work is to put in their best whenever they are on the platforms. Putting your best foot forward is sure to attract clients and showcase your work. When clients see that all you have to give is your best foot forward, they will be attracted to the work you have on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Authenticity is highly valued in today's digital age. How can beauty professionals stay true to themselves while navigating the world of online branding and marketing?

Beauty professionals can stay true to themselves while navigating the world of online branding and marketing by always staying true to the people who helped them along the way. It is very easy to lose yourself in the glamour that is today's digital age, but always making sure that you can—and do—come back to the people you love and the people who helped you along the way goes far in terms of staying true to yourself as you navigate the world of online branding and marketing.

The beauty industry is constantly evolving with new trends and technologies. How do you stay informed about the latest advancements, and what advice would you give to cosmetologists on adapting to these changes?

One way to stay informed about the latest advancements, as the beauty industry is constantly evolving with new trends and technologies, is to form a network of beauty professionals and immerse yourself in the world that is the beauty industry. That is the advice I would give to cosmetologists on adapting to these changes.

By having someone who is also trying to stay informed about the latest advancements, a cosmetologist will find it to be much easier to stay informed about the latest advancements. They may even find out more aspects of the beauty industry and its evolution through their network if they immerse themselves in the world more heavily, which I recommend they do.

Building a strong online presence often involves collaborating with others. What advice would you give to cosmetologists who are looking to partner with influencers or brands to expand their reach?

The advice I would give to cosmetologists who are looking to partner with influencers or brands to expand their reach is to always reach out before the time comes when you need them, so that you have a relationship already before asking for anything.

Making sure to have a relationship with the influencer or brand will drastically improve the cosmetologist's chance of getting an influencer or brand partnership, because the brand or influencer would already be well-informed about who that cosmetologist is and what they are about. There would already be a level of trust that cannot be found when only contacting because you need help.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in the future of the beauty industry, particularly when it comes to the intersection of beauty and technology?

I am most excited about the seamlessness of makeup in the future of the beauty industry, particularly when it comes to the intersection of beauty and technology. I remember when I would get clients calling me up because they had accidentally used the wrong makeup product for the temperature and humidity of the weather in their city.

I cannot wait for the time when that would be nearly impossible because all the makeup products are built for any type of weather that occurs in any part of the world. I think the start of seamlessness will be the end of a phenomenal era in makeup and cause us to truly feel like we are living in the future.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thank you for having me as a beauty thought-leader. I love helping people with their makeup looks and enhancing their beauty.