Running A Skin Care and Cosmetic Company from Home... with Licorice Breath Kisses From my Daughter.....

By Andrea York

Ever since I was 12 years old I wanted to adopt a baby. I was adamant about being an at home mom. I definitely did not want a nanny to raise my kids.

After college, I worked on Broadway for producers. While this was very exciting and stimulating, it did not leave time for “a life”. It was work 24 hours a day,7 days a week. By 30, I knew this would never work since I was thinking about having children. I decided to change careers and find something that would give me autonomy and enable me to make a living. I struggled and struggled trying to decide what I wanted to do. Finally, quite by accident it sort of fell in to my lap. I was talking with a friend about an experience I had buying make-up while I was still working on Broadway. It was a big opening night and I had to look fabulous. Like I had done so many times before, I dashed off to a cosmetic counter at a department store and once again it was a disaster! I walked away extremely frustrated, penniless and not having one clue as to how to apply any of the products I had purchased. Once again I was intimidated and bamboozled by the pushy sales help. My friend was laughing out loud because she too had this happen to her countless times over the years. Then it hit me! Why not start a skin care and cosmetic company for women just like us! All we wanted was someone to show us how to clean and protect our skin and how to apply complimentary colours in a classic well groomed manner. And, we didn’t want to spend hours a day doing this. We wanted simple,easy routines. We also didn’t want to spend a fortune on products! With my savings I decided to go for it! FRAICHE Skin Care and Cosmetics was born!

Knowing nothing about the cosmetic industry I had my work cut out for me. I networked with everyone I knew in New York City- friends of friends of friends. Anyone who knew anything about this industry. I learned a lot. The next two years I trained with leading skin care specialists and make-up artists to learn how to take care of my own skin and how to analyze and treat every conceivable skin type,colour type and facial structure. I also got my license. Through all of my training I put together a very streamlined and effective way of showing people skin care routines and grooming artistry. And, I was really good at it! It just goes to show, you never know what you’re good at until you try.

Now, it was time for me to put together a line. After extensive research with chemists, labs and people in the dermatology field, I put together a wonderful line of state of the art skin care and a colour line of rich, beautiful and wearable products for the eyes, lips and cheeks. The best part was that I was able to sell it for up to 40% lower than the department stores because I would be selling it from my sunfilled studio saving all those real estate, promotion and advertising costs. I put together a brochure, order form/price list and all ancillary marketing tools. The only problem then was how to get clients?

I called everyone I knew. I called organizations, health clubs, women’s groups and corporations. I told them that I did informative “grooming demonstrations” called “Looking Good Can Be Learned” and it was complimentary. No charge to the group. After lot’s and lot’s of no’s, I got some yes’. That was in 1986. It was slow going in the beginning, but now I have a large client base, some of whom have been using my products for over 12 years. Once I analyze and teach my clients the basics, all they have to do is call or email me when they run out of products and I ship them right out! They love the service. They never have to deal with overbearing sales clerks at the department stores again. Plus they look GREAT!

Five years ago I decided it was time to make my dream come true. I wanted to start my family. It was perfect because I could raise my child and work right from home. I adopted my darling little girl five and a half years ago and she is the light and joy of my life. There is nothing in the world that compares to being a mom!

In the beginning when she was still an infant, I had someone come in a few hours a week to watch her while I saw clients. Still, I was here to oversee everything. Now, my little girl is in kindergarden and I have the joy of taking her to school every morning and picking her up every afternoon. I see my clients in between. Sometimes I have to see a client when she is home and she totally understands. She is proud and feels extremely lucky that she has a mommy who can work from home and spend lot’s of time with her. She has heard me coach so many clients at this point, she now jumps up on a chair, picks out lipsticks and makes suggestions herself. When I pick her up from school and we talk about our day, we munch on some red licorice and she turns to me and tells me that she loves me... and gives me one of her big licorice breath kisses. It’s the best!

Now, thousands of women later I have decided to expand my client base and take my products and expertise to women worldwide. Through the internet, email and phone conversations, I plan on helping women all over the world with their grooming needs. I will teach them how to take care of their skin and look great in just a few minutes. Top quality products will get delivered right to their door at extremely reasonable prices.

I look forward each day to helping my clients look the best they can because I know that when you look good, you feel good. If you would like a brochure on my line or if you have any questions for me, feel free to email me or try me by telephone. The best hours are 10AM-2PM EST.