In RSVP, we love to celebrate innovative and hard-working women who have taken the initiative to start their own businesses.
Here, we chat to Linda Stinson, founder of Bellamantia, about standing out in a competitive industry, working with Maura Higgins and the proudest moment in her career.
What pushed you to take the leap and create Bellamianta?
From a very young age, I had always known I wanted to have my own business. I had a bad experience on my wedding day with a spray tan; it had stuck to my back where I had patches of eczema and my dress had a plunging backline. That’s when I decided I was going to develop a top-quality false tan that was non-toxic, super nourishing to the skin and free from alcohol.
Do you have any tips for standing out in such a competitive industry?
Stay relevant and be clear about your vision.
What has been the proudest moment to date in your career?
Every experience in my life has moved me forward whether it was managing stores like Space NK, Benefit Cosmetics and Urban Decay or working as a beauty therapist, a lifeguard, singer in a band, waitress or working in my parents’ takeaway. I’m extremely independent and like to do things my way. But my proudest moment in my career will always be my latest achievement. I never look back with regret, I just move forward and learn.
As well as Bellamianta, you also own Iconic Bronze and are a 50% shareholder in LMD Cosmetics, how do you juggle and divide your time between three successful businesses?
It’s definitely challenging especially with three young children and I even manage to fit in a few gym sessions every week. I get up early, go to the gym, and have a shower (thankfully, I was able to install a gym and shower in my new office premises for all the staff). I then meet my creative teams and agree what is priority day to day. I also have full monthly team meetings which include all aspects of operations, to agree longer term plans and communicate all up-to-date creative decisions. The rest of my day is generally spent responding to emails, dealing with accounts and budgets, meetings with retailers/distributors, approving various stages of current projects including product development, packaging, etc, and general communications. Then it’s home to the mad house to make dinner and deal with the dreaded homework.
What is your most popular product in the range, and do you have a secret favourite?
The most popular product in the Bellamianta range is still the Rapid Mousse, which is one of the first products I developed. My secret favourite has to be the Crystal Clear Mousse, it’s so easy to apply and the shade is perfect for me.
How did the pandemic impact your business?
One brand was impacted upon more than the others due to it being supplied to a greater extent to one main retailer. So, lesson learned, don’t keep all your eggs in one basket. However, positive impacts have been a more focused approach to online sales. This has resulted in improved processes and updated systems being installed to deal with the increase and an additional member of staff being hired.
You’ve just launched an incredible collaboration with Love Island ’s Maura Higgins, tell us about that? What is next for the brand?
We were working with Maura long before she entered Love Island. She has been a brand ambassador for Bellamianta for a number of years, so it was a natural progression to collaborate with her. We’re delighted with the outcome, which has produced some beautiful products. We have a lot of new products in the pipeline and are diversifying more into colour cosmetics and skin and body care products. We also have further collaborations this year, but that is all I’m prepared to say at the minute!
Web: www.bellamianta.com
Instagram: @bellamianta
