Meet Shannon Hargrove | Cosmetologist & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shannon Hargrove and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shannon, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
My business idea derives from being a plus sized black girl with no real representation in the beauty world. I felt like the industries often overlook the regular girls who just want to wear makeup. Its constantly about being glam or no makeup and I wanted an opportunity for little girls, boys, adults’ and anybody a chance to find what gives them that inner sparkle in their own way. I named the brand Sizzle Cosmetics LLC was I believe our products will make you pop and stand out in the crowd. Sizzle comes from my nickname which is Shan sizzle which is a long story. I’ve always been known for my firecracker personality and I wanted that to come off and reflect in my brand.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business name is Sizzle Cosmetics LLC and we are a cosmetic store front with bookings available for your special event! Our products include vegan lip-glosses, loose pigment highlighters, eyeshadow palettes and merch. I started this cosmetic line for the regular girl/boy who just like to get glammed. Whether that’s in a $1000 suit or sweat pants because every person deserves to have their true sizzle brought out. Our bookings are available by month and you can book for you or your next event! we offer facials, Makeup applications and silk presses. To get here today with my business took a lot of strength. Just like any new small business owner the first year you see it all. There are moments where I had to take weekly or day breaks so I wouldn’t burn out from my full-time job and working my business. Ittaught me a lot about responsibility, balancing and overall, to be more selfless. I have to run on other people’s clocks not mine so a lot of it comes with being patient and just doing things the best you can at your rate. sometimes you want to rush things but often times especially with a cosmetic business you have to relax and do what you can to your best abilities. I want people to know my brand is reflection of me. I’ve handpicked, written, made and created almost everything included on the line. All the color schemes and projects were inspired by moments in my life I’ll never forget. I wanted to open up the space of just being free in makeup and doing what you want without having to follow trends.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Our first stop would be the beach that’s our favorite place to go together. we would stop on the way to get quick check sandwiches and other snacks. I love the Italian sandwich with only lettuce, oregano, and mayo. We would also eat ice cream on the beach once we get there just tan maybe get in the water. After the beach on the way home, we would most likely stop at a Wendy’s on the way home and get the Strawberry lemonade of course. after a fun day at the beach, you know you have to end it with some 90s RnB down the road knowing we can’t sing. Day 2 would consist of eating so we would go to the park and have a picnic with Panera Bread for lunch. Since we can never decide we let Tik Tok pick our dinner restaurant. Recently I found and went to Cinco De Mayo and I would love for her to try it. There are Mexican traditional plates and amazing drinks. There’s a patron bottle drink where it’s a slushy filled in a patron bottle which is 10/10. we are pretty chill people so the week would consist of eating, watching movies, and taking naps. our favorite movie meal is Maplewood Trattoria . she always gets the chicken and shrimp Cesar salad and I get the chicken parm sandwich. If we are in Mapso we would have to visit and hang out with our closest girl and guy friends. lately, we have been into eating good so we have been having picnics while we paint and eat which is always so much fun. We love going to Flood’s Hill and talking. dancing while having a nice cup of ice cream but somehow it always seems to rain. Another spot we would have to visit during the week which would end our trip would be going to the South Mountain Reservation. The views are beautiful and the air is clean. Even though she hates nature and bugs she always toughs it out for a nice hike up the hills as we overlook the skyline.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There’s a saying that a village raises a kid and I’m a firm believer in that. My Mom was the reason I got into makeup she was a Clinique counter manager and encouraged my love for makeup from the start. I appreciate her tough love and always supporting the arts. My father never second guesses my decisions and let’s me be myself. Whatever and whenever I need something he is always there to do whatever needs to be done to solve it and I will forever be thankful. My niece, nephew and sister will always be my workers whenever I need something done or just to be my models. My entire family is my backbone and I wouldn’t be half the person I am without the support I have from the Freese’s, Harleys and Hargrove’s. I can’t forget my friends of course. They are my backbone and the reason I continue to stay on track. We push each other up when we are all at our lowest and I’m happy to have to have friends who support my movement. Last but not least I would like to thank Suede for everything he has done and pushing me and my brand beyond measures. I miss you and thank you for all you have done. I will never forget the village I came from and how much they all have made me into the person I am each and everyday. They are the reason I strive to be better every day!

Website: Sizzlecosmetics.org

Instagram: @shannon.alexis7 & @SizzleCosmeticsLLC

Twitter: @llcSizzle

Image Credits
Pictures by Jasmine Hoff