‘Sinful Lipwear’, a VI based homemade lip cosmetics brand, is owned by De’Vaughnia K. Sprauve. Photo: Provided

Turning attention to her business Sinful Lipwear, Young Professional Ms Sprauve said her BVI based cottage cosmetic brand is already booming and has an engaging clientele she refers to as 'SL Babes.' Photo: Provided

The most enjoying part of the business she said is getting honest feedback from customers but some challenges she said included the actual manufacturing making of the product to get the perfect formula and right consistency for the lipsticks. Photo: Provided

Red lipstick from the ‘Sinful Lipwear’ brand. Photo: Provided

Young Entrepreneur

Originally from Virgin Gorda but currently residing on Tortola, Ms Sprauve was educated at the Bregado Flax Educational Centre where she graduated in 2017.

While university is not yet on the books, she hinted that business remains the primary focus for now.

“I love Red lipsticks, I would literally wear and outfit just so I can wear red lips. I saw a video on how to make my own and I’ve been inspired ever since,” she told Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).

Outside of the business, our Young Professional also has a busy career and day job where she works at NR Samuel & Co Law Firm as a Lawyer’s assistance, in addition to being the receptionist.

Building a brand 

Turning attention to her business, Sinful Lipwear, Young Professional Ms Sprauve said her locally-based cottage cosmetic brand is already booming and has an engaging clientele she refers to as “SL Babes.”

“When I was younger, I actually tried to make a red lipstick using crayons from a video I saw on 5 minutes crafts. I wasn’t any good,” she said with a laughter. 

She has; however, perfected the craft with exotic ingredients like Vegan waxes, pigments, Vitamin E and natural oils and eventually started the business with funds from savings. 

The most enjoyable part of the business, she said, is getting honest feedback from customers. Some challenges included the actual manufacturing of the product to get the perfect formula and right consistency for the lipsticks.

Our Young Professional said she also plans to invest in her home town of Virgin Gorda in the future.

COVID-19 and business 

While the COVID-19 pandemic has set back several businesses in the Territory, Ms Sprauve said she too suffered the same fate.

“It set me back a lot, most of my packages were stuck out of the Territory for a really long time. Now that the borders are close I also can’t ship out any products,” she said.

She, however, commended the government for their excellent handling of the pandemic over the past months.

One positive, she added, is that even though physical distancing is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus, it actually brought families, especially her family, closer together, ‘because we’re always making sure each other is okay,” she said. 

Parting advice

Leaving some advice for persons who may have plans to get into business, she said “Don’t doubt yourself as much as you do. I overcame it with encouraging words from family and friends.“

“Just Do It! It’s going to be discouraging, it’s going to be hard, but it’s all worth it in the end….but do what you love not what everyone else wants you to do,” she said while expressing gratitude to friends and family for their support.