Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonia Ranco.
Hi Tonia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always been obsessed with makeup. To be honest, I was terrified of becoming a beauty influencer. I grew up hearing all the things that were “wrong” with me. Your lips are too big; your eyes are too big, etc. So, to put myself on a platform to be possibly torn apart, I was hesitant for a long time. Over the years, I have gained confidence, chose to ignore the negativity, and focused on the positive. I started uploading YouTube videos December 2016 and worked from there to build my platforms. With 200k followers on TikTok and over 38k on Instagram, my goal is to dispel stereotypes about women over 50. We are beautiful, vibrant, and living our best lives!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wouldn’t say that it has been a smooth ride. Being Black and being over 50 has definitely presented its challenges. Unfortunately, there are still several brands that totally ignore mature melanin beauties.
By promoting self-love and confidence, I can inspire individuals to feel comfortable and proud of who they are. I used to say I wanted to help others be confident DESPITE their age or skin color. More recently, I’ve shifted a bit. I want us all to be confident and proud BECAUSE OF our age or skin color. All skin tones are beautiful. As for age, we’ve earned our wrinkles and imperfections through our years of life, through our highs and lows. Let’s celebrate our beauty and this amazing journey!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love sharing my joy for beauty. Whether that’s talking about makeup, skincare, or fashion. The proudest moments are receiving messages from my followers that I encouraged them to wear makeup again. Or that I encouraged them to try something new.
My unique qualities as an over 50 African American influencer make my voice and presence invaluable in the online beauty and lifestyle conversation. By sharing my experiences, insights, and recommendations, I can inspire and empower individuals across generations, promoting inclusivity, self-acceptance, and confidence.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I would suggest – clarify your objectives and what you hope to achieve. This will help you find individuals who align with your aspirations.
Attend conferences, seminars, workshops, and meetups related to your field of interest. These events provide excellent opportunities to meet like-minded professionals and potential mentors.
When approaching potential mentors or networking contacts, think about how you can provide value to them. Offer your assistance, share interesting resources, or provide insights that might be helpful to their work. Building mutually beneficial relationships increases the likelihood of them wanting to engage with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rancobeauty.bio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Rancobeauty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rancobeauty
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@RancoBeauty
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rancobeauty
