We had the good fortune of connecting with KayCee Parham and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi KayCee, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“Work until you no longer have to introduce yourself”- Harvey Specter.
Work extremely hard for what you WANT so in the end everyone will know who YOU are from all the work you put in. My brand, Reb3l To Royalty Cosmetics is all about highlighting, accentuating, and normalizing dark skin beauty within the beauty industry and the only way to change the current stereotypes is to lead by example and push my brands message. Therefore, when I walk into ANY room they already know what I stand for and the message my company embodies.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m not sure if we have a lot of time to go into great details so I’ll keep it short and sweet. I started researching my brand in 2018, I tested products, created logos, had photoshoots, bought inventory, etc. in 2019. August 31, 2020 I launched Reb3l To Royalty Cosmetics. I started this company because I absolutely hated how the beauty industry ostracized dark skin women because of the color of our skin. Therefore I created a brand that accentuates, highlights, and normalizes dark skin beauty within the beauty industry. How did I get to where I am now? God and perseverance! Everyday I wake up, the first words out my mouth is thanking God for allowing me to see another day that was not promised to me. I pray over my business and my future business endeavors. But my biggest secret is this, anytime I feel overwhelmed, stressed, or just in a bad mood, I take 1 day to pity myself. I turn my phone off, sit in bed, cry all day long, throw a fit and sleep. Then the next day I get up and figure out how to make myself happy for the rest of my life. Sometimes we just need a day and that’s completely okay, but just ONE DAY! After that you have to pick yourself up and keep going.
Running a business is not for the weak at all.. If all you’re looking to do is make a quick buck, I encourage you not to go into business. Don’t waste your blood, sweat, and tears if you’re not going to put your all into it. I always tell people, “you want to know if your idea is the right fit for you? Ask yourself would you do it for free? If the answer is NO then that business if not for you, however, if the answer is YES, then your next question should be how do I make my passion a reality.” The biggest lesson my brand has and still is teaching me is patience. Its so easy to look on social media and see people pretending they built their business overnight and that is not the case. It’s so easy to compare yourself to where other people are in life forgetting everyone travels a different path. Its so easy to get discouraged and distracted from your goals. But you have to learn how to have tunnel vision! If you ask, you will receive, but you can’t receive if you’re too busy worried about the next person and what they have going on. Stay focus until all the focus is on you.
When people, specifically dark skin women, look at my brand I want them to see themselves. I want them to see hope, peace, and possibility. What do I mean by that? I want people to know it doesn’t matter where you are in life or what you have going on YOUR SKIN IS BEAUTIFUL, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, and let my life journey influence you to go after what you want.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well everything is bigger in Houston Texas! First I’d take her to Lotus!! The best crawfish in town Then I’d taker her to Foxfire Candle Works because I know she loves candles and this is a great place to make your own candles, sit back and sip some champagne. For a wild night we’re going to “Feeling Fxckin Good” roof top! The name explains itself! We both love aquariums so it would only be right to visit Houston Aquarium. Couple days of shopping at the galleria always does a girl right. We definitely could not miss out on the “Turkey Leg Hut” and to wind the week down brunch on Sunday Funday! I’m fairly new to Texas myself so honestly I’m exploring just as much as her! lol
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to take this moment to recognize my step mother Shamekia Macon. She has been my social media manager since I first launched and I am so lucky to have her. Those catchy captions you see, she is the mastermind and brains behind them. Being able to trust someone with a part of my business was key for my brand to be successful. As we all know being a business owner is tough, especially when you are doing everything by yourself. So I am extremely lucky to have her on my team to help push me and my brand. I also want to recognize my mom, my uncle, and grandfather; they have always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself at times. Special shoutout to my friends who keep me going during times I feel down! Lastly, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our REB3LBABES! No matter what I’ll forever be grateful for the love and support I get! So thank you!
Website: www.reb3ltoroyaltycosmetics.com
Instagram: @Reb3lToRoyaltyCosmetics
Twitter: @reb3ltoroyalty
Facebook: Reb3l To Royalty Cosmetics