USTYLE: Welcome to USTYLE Magazine Mrs. Schenika Quattlebaum. Please introduce and yourself to our audience and tell us about Natalia Me-gan Beauty
Schenika Q: Hi I am Schenika Quattlebaum, Founder/CEO of Natalia Me-gan Beauty. We are a black owned, woman owned brand that’s been in business for 3 years.
USTYLE: What prompted you to get into the beauty industry and taking it even further by launching your own beauty and cosmetic line?
Schenika Q: I always had a love of makeup dating back to when I was a child playing in my mom’s Fashion Fair. But it wasn’t until I
was in a bad domestic violence relationships year’s back and used makeup to cover the injuries sustained in that relationship. Funny thing, I always knew I wanted to run my own company it wasn’t until that relationship that I knew what I would eventually do if I lived past that relationship.
USTYLE: Wow, that’s DEEP!
USTYLE: How challenging was that for you?
Schenika Q: Whew… It was very challenging. I didn’t have a mentor, I didn’t have anyone I could talk to in the industry. I literally had to do everything on my own, learning through trial and error and boy did I make mistakes along the way and spent a lot of unnecessary money. Once of my biggest mistakes was trying to do it all at once instead of pacing myself. That’s one thing I make sure to stress when I speak to people looking to
start anytime type of business.
USTYLE: Where did the name originate from?
Schenika Q: The name is my granddaughter’s. Her American name is Natalie Megan however her Dominican name is Natalia Me-gan as she’s part Dominican. So, the company name was easy lol.
USTYLE: Did you have any background experience in creating your beauty products?
Schenika Q: My Uncle was a chemist and I learned a lot from him. So, technically I didn’t have the experience in creating beauty products but I had the know-how. However, I will say determination will take you very very far and that’s what I had shoot what I still have.
USTYLE: Interesting
USTYLE: How do you determine what products you will add to your line?
Schenika Q: I made a list and prioritized the order I am launching new products. I am excited as I have new products launching over the next few weeks.
USTYLE: Out of all the beauty products from your line, which would you say is your favorite?
Schenika Q: Wow, they’re all my favorites lol… But I am a lip person so anything from our lip line (lipgloss, lipstick, matte liquid lip) and then the mascara. I do not like to wear lashes everyday just give me a good mascara and that’s exactly what we have. A great mascara actually.
USTYLE: What is going to be your favorite beauty trend coming spring/summer 2022?
Schenika Q: One trend I am so here for is the glossy lips… Now that things are slowly going to back to the new normal and mask mandates are lifted I am so here for the lips.
USTYLE: Yes, me too. I am so happy some of the mandates are being lifted some what so we can go back to being pretty. Lol
USTYLE: You recently had Natalia Me-gan posted for the world to see on a billboard at Times Square in New York City. That was huge! How did that come about and what was that feeling like for you to witness?
Schenika Q: The billboard came about to coincide with the release of Natalia Me-gan joining the Walmart family. I reached out to Ernest and gave him the dates and from there I reached out to Angela Washington with AW Graphics to design the billboard and Billboard Buzzing was the company used to place the board in Times Square. I honestly was so busy during that time frame that I didn’t have a moment to stop and absorb what was happening. It wasn’t until I was in front of the billboard being interviewed when it all hit me at once and I cried like a baby. Not only am I on a billboard in Times Square but it was to reveal our Walmart deal.
USTYLE: Yessss, the Wal-Mart distribution was another huge moment for you I’m sure. Which one of your many amazing moments made you realize like, “Wow! I’m HERE!”
Schenika Q: My wow I’m here moment was when I found out I am being honored by Majic 102.3/92.7 and Urban One for She Is… Monumental Women’s Empowerment which the virtual event will air during Women’s History Month, on March 30th.
USTYLE: Awesomeness!
USTYLE: What would be the one beauty advice you would give to women?
Schenika Q: My advice wear what you love that works for you. I know I used to wear heavy makeup and people probably thought I looked crazy but I had to cover up and feel normal and that’s what people didn’t know. So, wear what you love, wear what works for you, just blend it in.
USTYLE: What do you love most about this amazing journey that you are on now?
Schenika Q: It’s so many aspects that I love about this journey. From creating the products to meeting people. Honestly I love everything about this journey not just one thing.
USTYLE: If you had it to do all over again, is there anything you would change?
Schenika Q: I would have definitely slowed down and not try to launch multiple products at the same time. Also, I would not have searched as many vendors as I did because that was just unnecessary money being spent. I would have kept the number under 10 instead of over 10.
USTYLE: Name 3 items every woman should have in her makeup kit from Natalia Me-gan if she’s in a rush to get ready and why?
Schenika Q: The three must haves I recommend are: lip, mascara and/or lashes and eyeshadow. Eyeshadow and mascara/lashes can open your eyes and good pop of color on the lips sets it off. Although if you’re really in a rush a red lip and mascara/lashes will be all you need.
USTYLE: When you first started building were you expecting to be so popular so fast?
Schenika Q: I absolutely did not think in under 5 years the brand would accomplish so much so soon. I am still in awe and we are nowhere near the finish line… We are just getting started.
USTYLE: What has excited you the most in watching your Brand grow to this point?
Schenika Q: The reaction from our customers when they wear our products and when people hear my story behind creating my cosmetic line. It motivates to keep going and to know that all I have been through creating my brand was worth it.
USTYLE: What keeps you motivated and focused?
Schenika Q: I have a vision for the brand, I love what I do and I want to create generational wealth for our family for many generations to come.
USTYLE: Having that vision is very important as well as the right team around you. How important is having the right team around you?
Schenika Q: Every successful company has to have a great team that they trust surrounding them. I am blessed to have a phenomenal team of people who I trust in my corner. With all that I have going on there’s no way I could do everything and still be successful. We are officially a global cosmetic brand and that requires a team effort.
USTYLE: I know that you are a sincere advocate against domestic violence for your own personal reasons. What message are you hoping other survivors get from learning and watching your journey?
Schenika Q: I pray they see me and know that there is life in abundance after domestic violence. To go from Domestic Violence to CEO of a global cosmetic line is powerful in itself. I was once suicidal, I thought I was less than, I thought I was undeserving of anything good in life and to look back at where I was and where I am now my God. I pray that if nothing else they see and understand what doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger I’m a living testament to this.
USTYLE: Yes truly you have an amazing story to be heard!
USTYLE: If you had an opportunity to talk to your younger self, what advice would you give her?
Schenika Q: Don’t be so trusting in the beginning make people earn your trust and to saddle up because it’s going to be a bumpy ride. I have asked myself probably 1000 times would I do anything different. The answer is no I wouldn’t. Why? Everything I’ve done and everything I’ve gone through has made me the woman I am today and I wouldn’t change anything about the Schenika you see today.
USTYLE: What’s next for Natalia Me-gan?
Schenika Q: Continuing to expand the brand. There are some major things lined up but unfortunately, I can’t share those just yet. But just know we are bringing the fire.
USTYLE: Where can our audience find your beauty products?
Schenika Q: You can shop: linktr.ee/nataliambeauty
USTYLE: Is there anything else you would like our audience to know?
Schenika Q: Stay tuned…. We have so much more coming down the line…
Again, we thank you for your time and wish you much continued success!
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