Rising Stars: Meet Kei’Dra Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kei’Dra Johnson.

Hi Kei’Dra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
About six years ago, my cousin had a makeup cart in the Culver City Foxhills Mall. There I worked as a lash tech, I also did eyebrows and soft glam makeup. Unfortunately, he decided to close the cart and I was left out of a job. But in actuality, it pushed me to start my own cosmetic line, Glittz Cosmetics & Lashes. I began to sell my own brand of mink strip eyelashes as well as provide my services. Then boom, like everyone else when Covid19 came, my business took a hit as people didn’t really need their makeup done since we were all quarantined, and lashes weren’t really selling like they use to. So many times, I thought about just giving up, but something just wouldn’t let me. Covid19 honestly made so many of my friends look for another stream of income and I helped push them into starting small businesses. Lending advice on how to get started, marketing, etc. But I wanted to do so much more, which is how I began hosting outdoor pop up shops on behalf of my business. Now every other month, I help 15+ black-owned businesses by allowing them to come and network in my pop up events. They have been such a blessing to not only myself but all the vendors who participate. Every pop up gets bigger and better, and just being able to help someone else with their business is such a dream come true. The next one will be in Los Angeles on September 18th and I’m really looking forward to it. So many vendors have been able to build their clientele, network with new people, and really get their brand out due to these pop up shops.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road along the way. Being an entrepreneur means you take risks, and it doesn’t always end up how you feel the outcome should be. Some weeks I would sell out, others I wouldn’t sell anything. Then when Covid hit, it’s almost as if my brand took a standstill. I almost just gave up, not knowing there was a bigger purpose for me to help others with their small businesses. Allowing vendors to come and be a part of my outdoor pop up shops and it becoming such a wonderful networking experience.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I do have my cosmetic line still. I continue to provide mink strip lashes through my business, and when we were allowed to open LA back up, I began to provide my services again. Meaning I was allowed to do makeup for events, lashes, and brows which will always be my first love. However, lately I’ve been putting all my focus and energy into hosting pop up events for other small businesses like myself. I can honestly say my pop up shops have been what I’m most proud of, to make me actually pat myself on the back. Being able to help other black-owned businesses and see all the smiling faces lets me know I’m doing something right. Most people who have pop up shops only focus on their business alone and that’s not what I wanted mines to be about. I wanted it to be a safe space where people are able to come together, fellowship with one another, network with everyone, and really push their brand and the product they sell. Because it’s not just about me, it’s about all of us and how we can help one another. I host a pop up shop every other month, and everyone has been such a success.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Most definitely have learned lessons. It taught me anything can happen, and at any point your business can hit a snag. But it shouldn’t hold you back or make you want to give up. Covid19 honestly made so many people want to start their own business, almost like it lit a fire in them. Because to me in a way, Covid19 made me expand my mind and think of new ideas. It allowed me to help so many other small business owners and I couldn’t be more happy.

Pricing:

• All Lashes $10.00
• Services $5-$25.00
• Vendor Fee for Pop Up Shop $50.o0

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: glittzcosmeticslashes.bigcartel.com
• Instagram: @glittzcosmeticsandlashes