Zandra Beauty - The Innovative Teen Behind The Product

Zandra Beauty - The Innovative Teen Behind the Product - By Terri King Hunt

While most teen aged girls spend their days lost in thought or trying to figure out what they’ll be when they grow up, this young lady is inspiring women of all ages through her entrepreneurship, vision and community activism. Meet 19-year-old Zandra A. Cunningham. Zandra is one of the youngest internationally recognized formulators and plant-based skincare moguls. Zandra has grown her self-titled beauty brand, Zandra, from a kitchen table hobby into an international, million-dollar brand.

Looking through her social media you quickly get the sense that though Zandra is a brilliant and gifted young woman, she is also a vibrant young lady who is truly living her best life. In addition to living her best life she is also encouraging her peers to be everything they can be. “My mission is simple, says Zandra, to educate and empower girls and women across the globe via STEAM and entrepreneurship.” This mission is deeply rooted in the foundation of the Zandra empire. Zandra is an author, international speaker, consultant and trainer. She travels the country teaching and hosting community girl empowerment/entrepreneurship events via her Zandra TLC Foundation. It is because of this work and her mission that she was recognized by Entrepreneur magazine as one of the youngest millionaires in America.

Zandra’s fascination with entrepreneurship began when she was 9 years old, “I was obsessed with makeup and shiny lip glosses”. So obsessed, her father refused to buy anymore and suggested she make her own. Inspired by this simple “no” she set out to make her own lip balm. “My mom ordered me a kit and together we made 12 of the worst bubble gum lip balms to ever exist” but even unsuccessful lip balm did not deter her passion.

Eventually, that “no” sparked what is now a full line of plant-based skincare products which can be found on the shelves of major retailers such as Target. On October 27, 2019 Zandra’s Treat Yo Self gift box was launched in 200+ Target stores across the nation. When asked about the force that motivates her to keep striving for new heights she admits that it truly comes from her love of all things beauty and her desire to help others live their best lives, “I love formulating and making new products. In the beginning, my plan was to make products that were free of harmful chemicals and give them away, but I soon realized I could help more people if I made a profit and that became my motivation.”

Zandra has built a brand that is committed to giving back. As a TEDx speaker, Zandra is a recognized entrepreneur due to her work in the Buffalo community and beyond. “It is all about building confidence and inner beauty” Zandra believes that young ladies should be confident in their own skin and learn what beauty is from the inside out. Her hope is to inspire youth to take action and make things happen for themselves and their communities. Zandra is an agent of change, donating up to 10% of all net profits to support girl’s education. She has also founded Day of the Girls Buffalo, an international movement. This girl-powered all expenses paid day for girls has one goal: connect girls with their community and provide educational options and ideas.

The most beautiful characteristic about Zandra is her willingness to mentor and encourage those coming along behind her. When asked questions about business she always takes time to share her expertise. “The best way to build a customer base is to show up. When I first started, I was everywhere I could be. I was constantly pitching myself, my brand and my services.” Great advice as Zandra has been featured on several news outlets such as Black Enterprise, NPR, Seventeen Magazine, Teen Boss, Girls Life Magazine, Teen Boss, Forbes, INC, USA TODAY, Nickelodeon, The TODAY Show, Steve Harvey’s Funder dome, The Harry Connick Jr. Show, Good Morning America and ABC Nightline in addition to facilitating many workshops/presentations for well-known organizations like BALLE, United Nations, State Colleges, Universities, Girls Scouts USA, Boys and Girls Club, Buffalo & Jackson Public Schools and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta Sororities just to name a few.

Family plays a very significant role in the Zandra empire. “Even though I am the boss, she says with a laugh, my mom has always been there to help me manage the basics. Once I became incorporated, my dad stepped in as CFO.” Zandra is very proud of her hiring practice. Currently, she has 3 part-time production employees and 3 assistants who assist with various day to day tasks. “I am very intentional about hiring teens from my community during summers and holiday seasons”.

Zandra, who has been named the 2017 Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Teen Vogue’s #21u21 class of 2019, is the youngest to ever win an Etsy Open Call Golden Purchase order. As a trained maker and proud member of the Indie Business Network and Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild, she facilitates workshops on natural product creation and formulation. Her “Science Behind It” Product and Business Formulation Program has been taught to young people all across the nation. While all of that is impressive Zandra says that her greatest success is being able to say “I did what I said I was going to do.”

When asked about the one piece of advice she gives to the young women she mentors, she says it is to “ignore everything that doesn’t matter. Stay focused on your dream, create a plan and do the work!”