We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Autumn Stokes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Autumn below.
Hi Autumn, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Typically, if I am the only one in the room, I remain authentic and genuine. I’m not your typical social butterfly, yet sometimes that can come across as a threat or make you seem stand offish. I’m a very bashful and reserved person, but I can open up once I feel comfortable speaking and truly observing the room/atmosphere. Me being authentic is showing up as I am, which is reserved and staying to myself, but like I said that can make you come across as a threat or someone not wanting to interact/network. However, that may not simply be the case. A lot of times, since I’m the oddball in the room, a lot of people tend to gravitate to me to learn more about me. This is why I feel it is always best to show up as your most authentic and true self. Sometimes when you show up as someone else or pretend to be something you are not, it’ll show eventually, and your peers will know it. My tip for being the most effective/successful in the room is being your most true and authentic self because people only know what you show them and sometimes going off first impressions can truly keep you from missing out on meeting a wonderful individual who can provide gems or advice to you in the best way. Another thing I will add is knowing when to give energy to certain topics/conversations. Certain topics/conversations do not deserve your energy or input, especially if it is something that is controversial or could put you in a hot seat. It’s always best to remain neutral and take the conversation to another topic!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
As stated, my name is Autumn Stokes. I am the CEO and Founder of Katoria S. Kosmetics LLC. My beauty brand is known for signature handmade lip glosses, lip liners, handheld butterfly mirrors, and a new release of blush (Shy Paint)! I created my brand for individuals who are socially awkward/anxious/bashful/sensitive to have a brand to feel safe and seen for their unique quirks. This is a brand that truly embraces all the quirks an individual possesses. Our slogan goes by “we embrace social awkwardness & sensitivity, you’ll love it here!” We truly tailor that message to our brand whether it is when a product launches, simple mental health checks, different forms of makeup therapy, etc. Katoria S. Kosmetics is the brand to feel safe, seen, and truly express yourself boldly especially if you are a quiet soul!
I’m most excited about gaining more awareness and connecting with more customers. I am a soon to be licensed esthetician, so to have product knowledge, hands on makeup application skills, + techniques are truly rewarding. I’m overall excited to combine all my education to my developing business projects + developing businesses! Something special about my brand would be how it developed over time. My brand is far from perfect; it deals with delays regarding inventory delays causing the launches to sometimes be postponed. Sometimes my brand may not connect with everyone (and that is truly okay). Everything is not meant to be understood by everyone. However, I do know that when I show up for my brand such as, attending pop-up shops, I truly connect with the people who resonates with my brand message, lip gloss lovers/makeup lovers, etc. I’m just genuinely happy to be doing the things I once dreamed of when I was a little girl! I’m living out my inner child dreams in real life and that is so surreal to me! Something new I am working on will be big and very courageous for me. I plan to launch a Shy Paint Talk series. In this series, you will get to know the true and authentic me, the quirky me, bashful me, and so on! This will also be a series for individuals who want to walk on this journey while learning different makeup techniques/looks! I’m excited for this series, but I’m also very hesitant!
Lastly, once I successfully pass my State Board Exams for Esthetics, I plan to offer makeup artistry services + expand my makeup line. I have learned a profound knowledge of product ingredients, chemistry, etc. It’s only right that I get to work to start developing something big and exciting! I won’t release it just yet because work is in progress!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities I would say were the most impactful were my drive to keep learning (education wise), self-awareness (being real + honest with myself), and extending grace (being patient with myself and others). Education, self-awareness, and empathy are powerful qualities to possess. It can really connect you with your inner self, show you things that you need to work on professionally, mentally, and physically. Not every day will look the same because consistency looks different for everyone. Some days you will show up 100% and some days you will show up 45%. Which is why I believe mental health should be really taken seriously in the corporate world/entrepreneurship world. I hope my brand is the trailblazer brand for that to show others that mental health is taken into consideration and plans to make a significant impact on the black community!
My advice to others who are starting out early in their journey is to take it one day at a time. You won’t have all the answers, but that does not make you a failure or uneducated. There are still things I’m learning about in the beauty/makeup industry and I’m applying it to my beauty brand as I go. Also, be willing to learn from others + educate yourself. Trends often change and social media attracts a lot of customers, as long as you utilize it to the best of your ability. Your brand will be in great hands!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I do look forward to collaborating with influencers or even small brands, especially in the beauty industry. The type of people I can see myself collaborating with would be people who are creative, passionate about what they are doing, and someone who has a mystifying persona. A little mystery to a person/brand and finding out different things about a person/brand truly intrigues me because you can put that into your brand/products. Whether it is the theme, dates, or overall product launch. However, you want to spin it and launch it! I truly would love to collaborate with beauty brands. Meaning this could be cosmetics lines, professional makeup artists, beauty influencers, etc. If Katoria S. Kosmetics were to collaborate with a professional makeup artist/beauty influencer, this would consist of creating a signature product with inputs from both parties. The signature product could be something that the professional makeup artist/beauty influencer specializes in which could be a lip art kit, eyeshadow or lip palette, an editorial makeup line/kit, etc. It can go multiple ways, but I plan to make it a fun and special collaboration whenever that does happen for my brand and me!
If a brand (for starters) would like to collaborate, they can connect with me via email – [email protected]! However, I am looking to do those type of collaborations towards the future once Katoria S. Kosmetics LLC has expanded greatly!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://katoriaskosmetics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katoriaskosmetics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katoriaskosmetics
- Twitter: https://www.x.com/katoriasko
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@katoriaskosmeticsllc
Image Credits
Mint Cream Market – Black Arts Festival Pop-Up Shop
