Zandra Cunningham – Zandra Beauty

Turning a want into a company, Zandra Cunningham (at age 9) started a cosmetics/skin-care brand, Zandra Beauty. Miss lip-balm-enthusiast was told that if she wanted more lip balm she needed to make it herself because her father was not going to buy her more. So, she began experimenting with recipes; this has blossomed into a full brand with a strong social mission, many products, and permanent space on big retailer shelves. Now, at age 21 Zandra is positively impacting many lives through the brand’s social mission of empowering and educating girls worldwide and she is one of America’s youngest millionaires.

What has caused Zandra to be so successful, particularly at such a young age?

Key Factors:

Support System
Zandra has been wonderfully supported by her family and community along the way. Her mom helped her get the ball rolling by assisting in research and buying her the first lip balm making kit. Business was sparked when a lady from church (community) gave Zandra a dollar in return for handing out lip balm. As the business has scaled, her parents and grandma hold significant roles in the company, helping with operations and manufacturing.

The Sooner You Start
It is true that she has found success at a young age, although it did not happen instantly, debatably, it did not even happen quickly. Zandra simply started younger than many, as she already has a decade of business under her belt at 21-years-old. To this point, she says: “It’s really never too early to start a dream or a business or just start taking action on whatever you wanna do.”

Opportunity Seizing
With help and support she engages and takes opportunities as they arise, seeking ways to move forward. At age 12 she expanded her brand to selling on Etsy. She applied for the “Etsy Open Call” (pitch competition) and won one of the limited spots, resulting in more opportunities, publicity, and increased recognition. As her influence expanded through business success, she seized the opportunity to make a difference in the world by integrating a strong sense of social mission into the core of the brand, which involved starting an intertwined non-profit, donating funds, hosting events, and building awareness.