Meet the Woman Who Started a Million-dollar Company While Living at a Homeless Shelter
Success often comes to those struggling the most
We are used to hearing stories about successful business people who have started their empires from scratch. But how often do you hear about someone who was barely scraping by? Not all of us have the luxury of starting out while living in decent conditions. Sometimes having a roof over our heads and food on the table is a luxury on its own.
Brandi Leifso is a young and incredibly successful entrepreneur, who started her beauty company from nothing. Moreover, she began her venture while staying at the shelter for domestic abuse victims. Her story is unique and remarkably inspirational. You might be going through the most challenging time of your life, but you can still accomplish your dreams.
It Doesn’t Matter Where You Came From, What Matters is Your Destination
You should never judge a book by its cover. A person who comes from a privileged background may not succeed in life, despite all the opportunities presented to them. At the same time, those going through constant hardships may get everything. Making assumptions about people is not the way to live.
In her interview with Toronto Life, Brandy talks about her experience with domestic violence, unstable housing situation, financial difficulties and other life struggles. This intelligent woman was able to overcome everything life threw at her, and she can serve as a marvelous example of how your past doesn’t determine your future.
Turning Struggles into Advantages
You may think that being homeless cannot teach you anything, yet you can learn the most important life lessons while being on the very bottom. If you are lucky enough, the most difficult situation can serve as an inspiration for a new beginning. The entrepreneur from this story created her beauty company, Evio Beauty, from a shared bedroom at the emergency housing unit. Sometimes all you need is an Internet connection and a grand idea.
In her interview with Wealthsimple, Brandi reminisces: “There, in a room decorated with 1960s and ’70s riot grrrrl posters, I began to work on the branding that would eventually become Evio Beauty. I googled ‘makeup manufacturer’ and I learned about white label cosmetics (stuff that’s made by a manufacturer that you could simply put your logo on).”
Leifso was looking for inspiration from the people around her. A lot of different women stayed at the shelter: they were from different backgrounds, but they all used makeup. Brandi used that as an opportunity to learn about women’s experiences with beauty products. This is a prime example of how you can turn a disadvantage, such as having troubles with permanent housing, into an opportunity to learn about the industry and consumers. By the end of the day, Brandi’s motivation was to offer women quality products to feel better about themselves — even if they happen to live at a shelter.
Sometimes all you need is the Internet connection and a grand idea.
Working Day and Night is a Necessity, Not an Option
As per Wealthsimple, Brandi has been working non-stop after starting from ground zero. She got a job at a jet terminal and worked the night shift from 3:00 AM to 11:00 AM. After the work was done, she would come home and develop her company till 10:00 PM. Barely sleeping, this woman still found time to spend with her friends, yet Evio Beauty was her priority.
Brandi recalls receiving a massive order for 250,000 concealers, yet she didn’t have the money to cover the production. She ended up selling everything she owned, except for her bed and laptop, in order to catch a break. She would also go to New York for store openings and events, while not having money to purchase a return ticket.
By the end of the day, all her hard work, sweat and tears paid of. She is now a successful entrepreneur under 30, whose business is valued at over a million dollars. Despite all the hardships and curve-balls life threw at her, Brandi persisted and won. This young woman’s story is an incredible inspiration for everyone in the world.
How Well is the Company Doing?
Evio Beauty, Brandi’s successful start-up, is now worth over a million dollars, reports Ownr.co. The company has partnered with the Canadian Women’s Foundation and donates $1 from every product sold to help women in vulnerable situations. Brandi Leifso’s commitment to equality and giving back became the cornerstone of her business.
”Creative energy sometimes comes from the lowest point in your life.”
Forget About the Circumstances — Start Your Business! — the Takeaway
Richard Kind ones said: ”Creative energy sometimes comes from the lowest point in your life.” Brandi’s success story is a shiny example of how this works in real life. You may be struggling more than you have ever been, but this might be the best time to start something of your own.
Being in the middle of a hardship storm doesn’t mean you should give up your dreams. The best motivation often comes from the worst circumstances. Use Brandi’s story as a source of inspiration — and work on your magnificent idea. Startups are never effortless, but all you need to begin is a computer and the Internet. It’s better to try and fail, then not trying at all.
Read more about Brandi and her success: