KEONA STEWART | ENTREPRENEUR/VIDEOGRAPHER | LOS ANGELES, CA
Meet Keona Stewart who currently resides in Los Angeles, she has an up and coming business (The Glossy Plug) that just launched. As a young adult who currently has a passion for beauty and creating videos we know her determination is paving the way to a brighter future. We are so excited to see the awesome things her creativity will bring to this world.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/
Instagram: @TheGlossyPlug (business) | @keona.fc (personal)
Website: www.theglossyplug.com
Instagram: @TheGlossyPlug (business) | @keona.fc (personal)
Website: www.theglossyplug.com
HI KEONA! WHAT RAD THING DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
Videos Editing/Music Videos/Videography, Small Business Owner of 'TheGlossyPlug', and I do marketing for my mom's restaurant!TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW/WHERE YOU GREW UP
I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but raised in Ladera Heights, Los Angeles. I have moved around in California back and forth from Orange County and Los Angeles and now I am back living in Los Angeles now hopefully for good! I go to the Los Angeles Film School to pursue my passion in film. I have always had an interest and am very skilled in video editing, specifically in music videos and campaign promotional videos. I also have a love for the beauty industry which has been a very new interest of mine these past 2 years, I hope to attend Cosmetology school after I graduate from Film school.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY
After graduating high school I moved from Orange County to San Francisco to attend San Francisco State. I ended up just finishing 2 years and received my associates at San Francisco State and decided to move back to Southern California. Being in SF alone for 2 years has really changed me as a person such as being more independent, more outgoing, and has made me more open to other interests/paths. After the decision to move back to SoCal, I wanted to specifically move back to LA and attend a trade school to learn more of my passion in film. In SF I have done a few freelance projects, producing/directing/editing music videos for different bay area rappers, so I was looking forward to doing more work with people in LA. Being back here in Los Angeles has even shaped me more and has opened more doors for me. I started to come out of my introverted shell to connect and meet more people in different fields and really adventure more into the beauty and business industry. One thing I love is LipGloss and Lashes, and one day I thought why not make my own? I then had an idea to make a cosmetics brand that targets people like me. Ever since the idea, I worked 8 months on it without telling anyone and spent every night researching the industry & business educating myself. Once the pandemic hit, I lost my full time job and I knew that was a sign to finally launch my business. I launched 8 months later on July 11th and it was a big success for me that day. It has taken a different unexpected turn for me. It's only been a few months owning my business and I have been learning a lot and striving to keep going!
TELLS US ABOUT OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES YOU MAY HAVE FACED IN YOUR JOURNEY AND HOW YOU OVERCAME THEM
I have faced way too many challenges to where I felt like I wanted to give up, however I haven't. Even though it's only been a few months owning my business, I have encountered so many problems such as my website constantly being shut down, people hating, and other issues with my business, but I learned that I have to go through these obstacles and challenges in order to grow and learn. I put my stress aside and did everything that I need to do. I am learning that anything is possible and anything can be fixed. That has helped me overcome a lot of these obstacles, is just the fact that YOU can fix anything even if it seems hard, you have full control of a situation and your mind is what makes the situation either easy or hard, so it's always good to have a positive and hungry mindset, with that, you can conquer any challenges big or small.
I have faced way too many challenges to where I felt like I wanted to give up, however I haven't. Even though it's only been a few months owning my business, I have encountered so many problems such as my website constantly being shut down, people hating, and other issues with my business, but I learned that I have to go through these obstacles and challenges in order to grow and learn. I put my stress aside and did everything that I need to do. I am learning that anything is possible and anything can be fixed. That has helped me overcome a lot of these obstacles, is just the fact that YOU can fix anything even if it seems hard, you have full control of a situation and your mind is what makes the situation either easy or hard, so it's always good to have a positive and hungry mindset, with that, you can conquer any challenges big or small.
WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED TO DO YOUR BEST?
My goals keep me motivated always. I have a notebook where I keep all of my goals and ideas. I always refer back to them to remind me of my goals and purpose. I also try to tell myself that "All the work will pay off" The work you put in doesn't go unnoticed and there's always a reward for that.
HOW WOULD YOU LEVEL UP OTHER WOMEN?
Women are the future. I was raised by 3 women, my mom, my grandma and my great grandma under the same roof and never a male or father figure in my life. I always tell my girl friends or other women that we are the most independent out there. Women can't take no for an answer. It's not in our language. People constantly think a woman isn't capable of many things and helping women realize their power within themselves will unleash their inner beast. You just need to be confident and unleash yourself. Women have all the abilities and power to do anything.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOMEONE WHO WOULD WANT TO BE IN YOUR CAREER/FIELD?
Advice for anyone wanting to start their own business is to DO IT and don’t let someone tell you otherwise. What holds a lot of people back is their doubts. You can't be afraid of success, when you embark or think of something new, you start to doubt. Something that personally has helped me is my notebook which I mentioned before, keeping your random creative ideas and goals will take you a long way. You speak it into existence and live up to your goal.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF/BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE (3-5 YRS)
In 3-5 years I definitely see my business expanding such as having a full makeup line with pallets, all shades of foundations, fashion, etc. Long Term I see my business being retail, having my own store, or even having my business in a Sephora/Ulta !
CAN YOU RECOMMEND A LOCAL SPOT YOU LOVE THAT OTHERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
I fully recommend PokeTown in Tustin (YELP)! It's my mom's poke restaurant located in Tustin that she opened this year with her husband, I also recommend another small business called ALIB , which is a small clothing brand with handmade items owned by a long time high school friend, named Huda. Her shop’s instagram username is @aliballthetime .
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