Alumni
Alumna Helps Beauty Entrepreneurs Build Brands
Merchandise Product Development Alumna Valerie MacInnes has worked as a consultant since 2010 earning a reputation for helping beauty entrepreneurs build successful brands. She’s gotten her clients’ products into retailers including Nordstrom, Macy's, Dillard’s, Sephora, Ulta, and Walmart. As a student, Valerie was a member of the Design Council and she volunteered for various non-profit organizations such as Working Wardrobes and The Cinderella for Life Foundation. She's now the president of the FIDM Alumni Association in Las Vegas, Nevada. We caught up with her to find out more about MIA MAC, the platform she’s created to inspire and help beautypreneurs.
Tell us about MIA MAC: “M” is for motivate yourself; “I” is for inspire others; and “A” is for achieve goals! Through MIA MAC, I help entrepreneurs in the beauty industry launch their products in national retailers and increase their overall sales earnings. In addition to my consulting services, I offer a six-week Beauty Business Breakthrough program for beautypreneurs who are new to the industry. I provide the knowledge and tools necessary for them to level up their business and start pitching accounts that close.
Why did you choose FIDM? I chose FIDM because I fell in love with the school immediately when I came in to take a tour. At the time I was going to community college and took my first class in fashion. I loved it but wanted more so that is where FIDM came in.
How do you feel FIDM prepared you for what you are doing now? FIDM gave me an education and a degree in a major that I was able to take in many different directions. When I graduated, I started my career in visuals. I got hired with a children’s apparel line in New York, and handled a territory of Macy’s stores in Los Angeles. From apparel, I moved on to beauty which has been my favorite and the one I started my business with. The beauty industry has given me so many opportunities. I’ve been able to work alongside some amazing brands, have successful product launches, and build a network of contacts with some of the biggest names in the business. The name FIDM alone has so much credibility in the industry.
What is your biggest goal right now? My goal for 2019 is to grow the Beauty Business Breakthrough program and expand my consulting business. I would like to bring on another consultant to help grow my business even more. I see a consulting agency in my future.
Anything else you’d like to share? For students and alumni thinking about starting their own business, but haven’t made the jump yet—DO IT! One thing I have learned in the past year is that sometimes you have to just go for it and take messy action. Don’t be afraid to fail. Be ready to fail and pick yourself right back up again. I suggest finding a tribe of like-minded individuals for support and to visually see the end result and trust the process. I encourage you to check out my website or say hi on Instagram. I provide a lot of business tips and motivation for those on the entrepreneur journey!
Follow Alumna Valerie MacInnes on Instagram @valerie.miamac.
Categories: Merchandise Product Development Alumni
