The DMV Daily Interviews: MTF Cosmetics

                               

Background information on the owner of MTFCosmetics.

Age: 20

Hometown: Richmond, Virginia

George Mason University  Junior

  What made you want to create your cosmetic brand and why the name MTFCosmetics.?

Highlighting is my favorite part when it comes to doing my makeup, so one day I decided to try to make my own, and it worked and the color was beautiful. I thought to myself, why not start my own cosmetics company? MTF stands for Morgan Taylor Fitzpatrick, which is my full name. I wanted my brand to be very personal to me, so I figured what’s more personal than my name?

Since this is a black-owned business, are your products specifically designed for melanin women?

Another reason why I started MTF is because there isn’t a lot of black representation in the beauty industry. Even though I’m not a famous beauty influencer, I still wanted to represent a community that I love, so I thought more so about the ownership aspect. There aren’t a lot of black-owned “mainstream” cosmetics companies, and I wanted to help set the standard. My products are geared towards women of color because I am a woman of color, but of course, they are open to all. I try my best to make sure that my products are universal.

What sets your brand apart from other companies?

I think one thing that sets my brand apart from other companies is the fact that it’s genuine. What I mean by that is, nowadays you see a lot of people and companies doing this and that strictly for the money, but for me and MTF it’s different. Of course, it takes money to make money, but when I think of my brand besides the products, I want people to see how real it is. I think a lot of people my age relate to my brand more because I’m only 20 years old and in college. I’m just a young girl figuring out life while running a business based off something I love to do.

 How did the collaboration come about with the makeup for WOC to create Tiara Highlighter?

 I knew that I wanted to collaborate with someone who was up and coming in the beauty world.I just didn’t think it was going to happen 3 months after I launched MTF. I had been following Tiara for a while and I saw how invested she was in her craft and her followers. I contacted her with the idea, we went over some logistics, and then boom. I’m very grateful, MTF has gained major exposure from the collaboration, and we’ve also gained loyal customers.

Did you have any setbacks when starting up the business that ultimately made you want to give up?

There were a lot of factors. Being in school is one, figure out how I would even manage a business. I had no idea on how to start. The next would be money. It takes money to make money. I had to save money from my work checks each time I got paid. So there were times where I needed to buy this or that, but I couldn’t. I just had to save and save and save, then buy what I needed, because of this, it made the process slower. I had originally planned to launch way earlier than August.

 What is your biggest accomplishment thus far within the company?

I think my biggest accomplishment thus far would have to be the successful collaboration, and then being featured in seven online publications and I’ve only been in business for seven months.

 

There has been a lot of YouTubers and influencers that have praised your amazing highlighters. Did you ever think first starting off, you would have this much success in the company?

I knew I was going to be successful, I just didn’t know it was going to be so soon. I worked very hard to get to where I am today with MTF and I am very proud of myself.

How do you manage being a full-time college student and running a business on your own?

It takes balance. At the end of the day, school comes first and will always come first until I graduate. I typically focus on school work first, and then the MTF work follows.

 MTFCosmetics is an indie makeup brand meaning the sales are only online. Will there ever be a chance the company has an established store in the DMV area?

I definitely want to have my own store or chain of stores eventually. Who’s to say where those stores will be located, but I would like to for sure have one in Richmond where my dream was birthed.

What keeps you motivated to create more products knowing there is a lot of competition in the beauty/skincare industry?

I personally don’t pay attention to other brands and compare myself. I am a makeup lover and I believe there is room for all in this industry. Yes, any other makeup brand is my competition, but I don’t look at them that way. I’m basing MTF products off of what I like because this is personal to me. If I don’t wear it, I’m not going to sell it.

What can people expect from your product line in 2018?

I’ve been working on a ton of new products for this year and next year. Maybe more highlighters, lippies, blush, who knows? I will say I do share sneak peaks of things on our twitter and snapchat account from time to time. You can follow both @mtfcosmetics.

Any advice for your entrepreneurs?

Never give up on your dreams. Your hard work will pay off one day and it will be very worth it. Believe in yourself.

Three words to describe your company

​Morgan Taylor Fitzpatrick. My brand is me and I am my brand.