Today we’d like to introduce you to Lidya Winnie.
Hi Lidya, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Ethiopia and moved to the US in 2005. I went to school for Business, Marketing, and Advertising at Southern Methodist University. I graduated in 09. I learned a lot of the fundamentals of how to start and maintain a businesses. I took a lot of entrepreneurship courses where I implemented my business and really learned what it takes to be an entrepreneur. I am a first-generation high school and college graduate; it was very important to me that I went to college and made a path for myself and my family, and having my own business was the way.
I always knew I wanted to work for myself, create my own schedule, and have financial freedom. It was also very important to me that I was able to help my family and create generational wealth.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest struggle and obstacle about being a small start-up business is lack of funds. Business needs capital to get up and running, but sometimes, it can be hard to get funding.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My business is a line of natural and organic skincare products designed to make feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin. I have always made my own skincare from using ingredients from the kitchen starting at a young age. It started watching the women in my family back home in Ethiopia make everything from scratch. Everything is natural and organic in Ethiopia and around Africa. When I moved to America, it was hard finding natural products, especially my skin, that was affordable, so I started making my own products like face mask, oils, and hair products. Using what I learned in business school, it was easy to start my business ones I graduated. It took a lot of research on skin and ingredients. It’s going very well right now; I have been in business going into 4 years now. I lounged back in 2019. I had some great partnerships with Macy’s and Walmart. We are working growing our own ingredients for our products in a farm in Ethiopia. It’s very important to me I create something back home in Ethiopia and having my own production of natural and organic factory for my business.
I am most proud of having a vision and the ability to recognize the opportunity that’s there. It’s about sacrificing short term to benefit for the long-term goal. Having a great support from mentors and family, and friends. I am also very proud of the ability to stay consistent no matter what life might throw at me, as well as the relationships I have created along the way.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
It has allowed me to grow as person, developing my skills. I learned to be disciplined and take control of my life and my dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: Konjobeauty.com
- Instagram: Konjobeauty
