Sharmadean Reid, the founder of Beautystack, a London-based start-up that has developed a booking app for beauty industry professionals, has experienced great success in building her business. With multiple rounds of successful fundraising, Beautystack is tapping into the $450 billion global beauty industry, aiming to attract new customers and increase the earnings of beauty professionals while also promoting gender equality. In a recent interview, Reid shared her personal story and discussed her professional goals and empowerment initiatives.
Reid’s journey in the beauty industry began unexpectedly during her travels around the world. It was during this time that she discovered unique and innovative nail salons in Asia that caught her attention. As a fan of hip-hop culture, Reid enjoyed getting her nails done as part of the overall experience in these salons. However, she often found it difficult to find the creative designs that she desired. This realization inspired Reid to create her own nail salon where she and her friends could hang out and have their nails done in the way they wanted. Little did she know that this venture would mark the beginning of her career in the beauty industry.
The core idea behind Beautystack was to merge a social network with a booking platform. Reid aimed to bridge the gap between financial transactions among women and the social media platforms where people shared images and interacted. The goal was to create a space where both aspects could coexist. As Beautystack has evolved, it has also launched The Stack World, a women’s media platform driven by the community. This original concept remains central to the company’s vision. Reid’s long-term goal is to establish a marketplace for transactions exclusively among women, catering to the passion economy and helping women increase their earning potential by offering products and services to the community.
When asked about the most challenging aspect of building her brand, Reid expressed that brand creation itself wasn’t difficult for her. She draws inspiration from various sources such as art, street culture, and the city she resides in. Incorporating influences from films, music, and literature, Reid strives to infuse her brand with a unique identity. At the heart of all her work, however, is her dedication to empowering women economically. Reid aims to set her brand apart and show her audience that it represents something distinctive, offering tools and insights to help women accomplish their goals.
Reid hopes that her journey will inspire young entrepreneurs to recognize that when you work wholeheartedly for a mission you believe in, it doesn’t feel like work. Operating with purpose and intention, knowing that every action contributes to the greater good, becomes a powerful motivator. Ultimately, Reid wants to inspire more women to enter the business world by demonstrating what is possible and becoming visible figures in their communities.
Despite the challenges posed by Brexit, Reid remains focused on advancing her business. As Beautystack is still in its early stages as a startup, the company’s annual turnover is not publicly disclosed. However, it recently achieved an important milestone by generating revenue.
Looking forward, Reid envisions The Stack World becoming a global brand that serves as an alumni network for women aspiring to create a new global power network capable of effecting long-term social, economic, and political change.
Reid’s participation in the #ThoseWhoDare virtual conference hosted by Vodafone reflects her belief in the importance of sharing knowledge with younger generations. By making possibilities visible and showcasing prominent women in the community, Reid hopes to inspire more women to venture into the business world.
Sharmadean Reid’s remarkable journey in building Beautystack serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women, highlighting the influence of passion, purpose, and the ability to make a difference in the beauty industry and beyond.
Useful Links:
Beautystack
The Stack World
