Making MagicLillieBoyd-Jarrott, 58Owner, Color Me BeautifulNorth Charleston, South CarolinaLillie Boyd-Jarrott a married mother of two grown children was ready for her second act after retiring from a successful career in corporate American in 2004. She had previously engaged in some part-time entrepreneurial ventures and was ready to be her own boss. “I wanted the freedom to choose my own hours, take vacation when I wanted to, and work at my won pace,” She learned of Color Me Beautiful from her nephew, who saw a kiosk in the mall. “My interest was immediate,” she says. “Although I knew nothing about makeup, I wanted to make women feel good about themselves.The MoneyBoyd-Jarrott used her savings to pay the $5,000 entry fee. In return, she received her own cosmetics kiosk and roughly six weeks’ worth inventory. The initial fee also paid for the lease, which Boyd-Jarrot says Color Me Beautiful helped her to negotiate with the mall. It also covered the business license fee and the cost of the cash register, fax and phone line. She spent an additional $100 to personalize her kiosk, but careful not to infringe on company guild lines.The Risks and RewardsIn 2008, Boyd-Jarrott earned $120,000, but revenues can fluctuate between $150,000 and $250,000 based on everything from foot traffic to new clients. Expenses are also a moving target, ranging from $1,800 for rent up to $7,000 on inventory. Sometimes Boyd-Jarrot will visit the kiosk to monitor staff (she fired two for theft) or she’ll send mystery shoppers. “People never want to work for you as hard as you will work for yourself,” she says. “That’s the number one concern.”Essence May 2009
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