While attending the Halo Beauty Lounge {hosted by Ylorie Anderson of Brown Girl Marketing} back in September, I was able to meet and chat with the creators of various beauty brands. From hair care to skin care to jewelry, there was a bit of it all… but one brand stood out to me- COCOTIQUE. I was so impressed by the concept of this lifestyle subscription box as well as the woman behind it that I just had to share!
Creator Dana Hill gives us a look inside her budding brand…
COCOTIQUE creator Dana Hill at Halo Beauty Lounge
What is COCOTIQUE and what was the inspiration behind it?
COCOTIQUE is a beauty box subscription service for women of color. We find the best beauty and lifestyle products targeting their unique needs and desires and ship them to their door each month. After subscribing to other subscription services and not receiving products targeted to my skin tone and hair texture I decided to start my own company to address these needs. I wanted to provide a service for women like me who often purchased beauty products that didn’t work well for them and found themselves wasting money. COCOTIQUE simplifies the search and discovery process and saves women time and money.
Can you talk a bit about your professional background before launching this subscription service? How have those experiences affected your approach to COCOTIQUE?
I began my career in the fashion industry as an assistant fashion editor at both Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar Magazines. It was an incredible learning experience being on set working with the best of the best in the fashion industry – photographers like Mario Testino, Patrick Demarchelier, and Peter Lindbergh. This behind-the-scenes access helped fuel my passion for beauty, as I watched the top super models of that time getting their hair and makeup done, and gleaned tips and tricks from the best in the beauty business. Before I launched my own PR firm, Divine Marketing Group, I headed up the PR and marketing departments at several fashion companies, including Phat Farm, Rocawear and Eve’s clothing line, Fetish and had a short stint in the music business at Arista Records. I developed a keen eye and attention to detail while working at Vogue & Bazaar – there was no room for error or mediocrity. This coupled with the amazing entrepreneurial spirit I absorbed while working at Phat Farm & Rocawear helped me to build a strong foundation and business sense. COCOTIQUE is a true culmination of all my experience working in the fashion and entertainment industries. The aesthetic and DNA of COCOTIQUE is representative of all my experiences and background in fashion, beauty, and entertainment.
With all the subscription boxes available now, what makes COCOTIQUE stand out?
We feature products specifically for women of color that address their beauty needs from head to toe. I’m also very health conscious, so I like to include at least one product that helps our subscribers to lead a healthy lifestyle. Our mission is to help women discover their ultimate beauty arsenal. We’re all about beauty inside and out, including mind, body and spirit.
What are some of the brands you have partnered with? Are only well-known companies featured or will subscribers also get a taste of up and coming brands?
Cover FX, Shea Moisture, Curls, dermHA, Specific Beauty, Heartland Fragrance, Pretty Toes Fade-n-Cover, Lift Lab, Motives for La La, Temsah Naturals, EBoost, Tulip Perfumes, Seabuck Wonders, Jeanette Jenkins “The Hollywood Trainer”, Clovee Products, Nothing But, Nicka K, Anu Essentials and Camille Rose Naturals. We make sure we feature a lot of up and coming niche brands in addition to the established brands, with a special emphasis on companies owned by women/men of color. It’s important that COCOTIQUE can be a vehicle for those brands to garner more awareness in the marketplace.
Where do you see COCOTIQUE in a year?
We hope to continue to have consistent growth in our subscriber base and to expand our store to e-commerce.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Make sure you do the research and put the time in to develop your business idea. It doesn’t happen overnight – be methodical with your approach. This quote from Alvin Toffler always keeps me going – “You’ve got to think about the big things while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction.”
Great piece of advice! Now that you know a little more about this brand… how bout a GIVEAWAY?! That’s right. Dana has allowed me to host a giveaway of their Limited Edition Single Ladies December Box!
Simply follow the Rafflecopter instructions below to enter!
Be sure to stay connected with Dana and COCOTIQUE on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and don’t miss out on their Cyber Monday promotion!
xoxo
Toia B.
I am beautiful because I walk with confidence and my head held high. I embrace my kinky coily ethnic hair and I am black and very proud. My black is BEAUTIFUL!
Author
Keep that head high girl!
I learned my worth and I try to keep inspiring other sisters to see theirs within themselves.
Author
That’s beautiful Natasha! Thx for sharing!
Thank you, it took a while and many stumbles….but I got this now!
I am beautiful because there is no one else in the world exactly like me.
Author
*high five* 😉
I beautiful because I’m compassionate, motivated, and loyal. I treat people how I want to be treated and help people without expecting anything in return. I am beautiful because I love, respect, and admire the woman I’ve become.
Author
I’m loving these responses! Keep ’em coming! 🙂
I am beautiful because I am able to love myself and let my confidence exude from within. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and if I can’t see it for myself then no one else will.
Author
True indeed! I love it! 😉
I’m beautiful because I know I am and that’s the only persons opinion that matters, also because I have confidence =)
Author
Heyyyy! *snaps* you betta werk girl!
Cool article.
I am beautiful because I am my Mother’s daughter and she is GORGEOUS 🙂
Smiles!!!
Author
Thanks! Shout out to ma dukes!
Hehehe, indeed 🙂
Smiles!!!
I am beautiful because (let me think for the simplest answer)… i hold myself in confidence and do not let the opinions of others hold me back from my aspirations/dreams/goals because its my opinion and belief in my own abilities that matters most.
Author
Don’t let anyone take your shine girl… I feel you! Thanks for entering!
I love what this brand stands for. One of my newest resolutions is to stay true to myself and continue to learn more ways to enhance my inner beauty. I would also would learn how to live a more healthy NATURAL life style.
Author
Nice Jill! Great goals. Thanks for reading. 🙂
Ooh! This is a tough prompt though. I’m beautiful because I (try to) stay true to the realest version of myself.
Author
Simple yet profound. Good stuff girlie!