Today we’d like to introduce you to Fatima Mohemedhen Louly
Hi Fatima, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Fatima. I was born and raised in Mauritania, a country located in North Africa. I had a happy childhood surrounded by a culturally rich environment. In Mauritania, women love doing their makeup and looking their best, but like any place in the world, beauty standards were very different. Growing up, I witnessed women undergo unhealthy diets to gain weight and use carcinogenic chemicals to lighten their skin, simply because they were brainwashed into believing that this was what beauty meant.
I moved to America in 2017 when I was only 17 years old, with nothing but big dreams. I did not speak English at all, but I was so determined that I learned how to speak English fluently after a year of living here. I believed that being in a country of freedom, women would have an easier time celebrating their beauty in their own unique way, but to my surprise, reality was different. Women here also felt pressured to conform to beauty standards.
I started working at Sephora in 2021, where I encountered hundreds of faces daily and heard all kinds of stories about beauty standards and how they had affected everyone’s well-being in one way or another. It was during that time that I decided to start this mission and create a cosmetics brand that reminds every woman who comes across it that it is up to her to define her own unique beauty.
As many of us might know, starting a business is anything but easy, but I also had to leave everything behind me at the age of 17 because I wanted to create something for myself. I graduated from high school and attended college full-time to earn my bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience (pre-med). I worked two jobs during my spring and fall semesters and three jobs over the summer to save enough money to start my business.
While attending college full-time to earn my bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience (pre-med), I also embarked on another journey in 2022. I started creating content on social media with the goal of building a community of women who believed in my mission. To my delight, I was welcomed with overwhelming support, and I successfully gained almost half a million followers on my social media platforms. This community became a source of inspiration and encouragement as I pursued my dream of starting my own cosmetics brand.
Two years later, I am finally just a few steps away from officially launching my e-commerce store for Define Beauty. Looking back at my journey, it was anything but easy, but I am so grateful I got to where I am today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey was far from a smooth road. I had to endure many struggles to bootstrap my business. Looking back, I remember working a security job with overnight shifts. This was one of the most challenging things I had to do, spending 12 hours alone at a construction site each night just to earn enough money to start my business. I felt very unsafe at times and had to seriously rethink my path, but it was necessary to bootstrap my cosmetics brand, Define Beauty. While capital remains a constraint on my business growth, I am actively seeking ways to pitch to investors to advance Define Beauty and get it to where it should be.
I also faced significant pushback from my extended family when I began putting myself out there and creating content. Coming from a very conservative family, I was under immense pressure to stop. Fortunately, my mother stood by me throughout this journey, supporting me every step of the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business, Define Beauty, is a cosmetics brand dedicated to empowering women to define their own unique beauty. At Define Beauty, we specialize in high-quality, inclusive beauty products, with a particular focus on colored lashes. Our lashes are designed to complement a wide range of natural hair colors, ensuring that every individual can find the perfect match. We are currently a pre-launch brand and are excited to announce that we will be launching very soon.
What sets Define Beauty apart from others is our mission-driven approach. Our brand is built on the belief that every woman has the right to feel beautiful in her own skin. We strive to create products that not only enhance natural beauty but also inspire self-expression and confidence. Our cosmetics are formulated with safe, ethical ingredients, and we prioritize sustainability in our packaging and practices.
I am most proud of our community-driven focus. Since the inception of Define Beauty, we have cultivated a supportive and vibrant community of women who share our values and vision. This community has been instrumental in shaping our brand and has provided invaluable feedback and encouragement.
Our readers should know that Define Beauty is more than just a cosmetics brand; it is a movement towards redefining beauty standards. Our offerings include a wide range of products, all designed to highlight and celebrate diverse beauty. We also offer tutorials, tips, and inspirational content to help our customers feel confident and beautiful every day.
Define Beauty is committed to inclusivity, quality, and ethical practices. We believe that beauty is personal and unique, and our goal is to help every woman embrace her own definition of beauty. Whether you are looking for products that cater to your specific needs or seeking a community that celebrates diversity and self-expression, Define Beauty is here for you. Keep an eye out for our upcoming launch and get ready to find the perfect colored lashes to complement your natural hair color!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
As the founder of Define Beauty, my journey has been one of resilience and perseverance. I hope my story inspires others to pursue their dreams against all odds, demonstrating that with resilience and perseverance, you can bring your vision to life.
To give back and foster connections between like-minded women, I also started a networking event for female founders in Austin where we meet once every month at Revival Coffee Shop to connect with one another. This initiative is my way of supporting other women on their entrepreneurial journeys, as I received invaluable help from other female founders along the way. Through this event, I aim to create a supportive community where female entrepreneurs can share resources, advice, and encouragement.
At Define Beauty, Every product we create is a testament to our commitment to empowering women to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. As we approach our launch, we are incredibly excited to share our unique colored lashes, which have been meticulously designed to complement a variety of natural hair colors, ensuring that everyone can find a perfect match.
We believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting one another. Our brand is not just about cosmetics; it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and self-love. We invite you to join our growing community on social media( The founder IG ( @Ceo_fatima), Define Beauty IG: @Define.beauty_by_f.m.a , where we share tutorials, tips, and stories that inspire and uplift.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. Together, let’s redefine beauty and celebrate the unique and diverse expressions of it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceo_fatima?
- Other: https://linktr.ee/ceofatima
