Adrian Paul of Brownsville Texas on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Adrian Paul shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Adrian , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
I think what’s often misunderstood about our business is just how much heart and hands on effort go into everything we do. As a small business, we’re not backed by big budgets or teams. Every success comes from long hours, creativity, and genuine love. People sometimes see the end product but don’t always realize the personal investment, sacrifices , and passion that go into keeping a small business running.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Adrian Paul, the owner and founder of Pride Beauty. We’re an LGBTQ+ Latinx-owned small business that started from my love of makeup and self-expression. What began as a passion project has grown into something so much bigger. Pride Beauty is a way to help people feel confident, beautiful, and proud of who they are. I genuinely love what I do, and it means so much to create products that let people celebrate their individuality and shine in their own unique way.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Honestly, my mom. She’s always seen something in me. My creativity, my passion, my drive, long before I truly saw it in myself. She believed in my vision when it was still just an idea, and she’s been my biggest supporter through every high and low. She taught me the value of hard work, kindness, and staying true to who you are. A lot of what I do today, and the confidence I have to chase my dreams, comes from her faith in me.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, absolutely. There have definitely been times I almost gave up. Running a small business isn’t easy, and there are moments when the challenges feel overwhelming. But honestly, prayer keeps me grounded. My faith reminds me that every setback is part of a bigger plan, and that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies our industry tells itself is that it’s all easy, that success just happens overnight, or that beauty brands magically take off. The truth is, it takes a lot of hard work, long hours, and constant learning behind the scenes.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I followed my dreams fearlessly and encouraged others to do the same. That I proved it’s possible, no matter who you are or where you come from. I want my story to remind people that they can do it too, that their dreams are worth chasing, and that being true to yourself is the most powerful thing you can be.

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