Interview with Rica Elysee the Founder and CEO of BeautyLynk

I had the pleasure of interviewing: Rica Elysee the Founder and CEO of BeautyLynk a tech enabled platform that connects beauty professionals and customers for custom beauty appointments.

Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Three years ago, I founded the company to find a solution for my physically disabled sister who cannot put in a simple ponytail. I convinced a beauty professional to come provide service at the house.  It was then I realized that providing beauty to anyone when, where and how they want is an underserved and huge market.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your company?

I learned the lesson about failed mentorship early on in my career because I had a mentor and her boyfriend try to take over my company through multiple actions. It was a harsh lesson of learning the difference of advice and opinions. I was trying to make everyone happy and not building my business.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Adding an extra zero on a payroll check. It was the most interesting conversation to have with someone. Sorry I gave you an extra zero and I need that money back. The person was kind and wanted to be sure to correct the issue.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

At BeautyLynk we believe we can make beauty more accessible with data.  It allows us to make sure services are more customizable.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

1. Know the difference between advice and opinions
2. Be careful with whom you build relationships with
3. Fundraising is not the key to success
4. Be committed to the problem not the solution
5. Love your lawyers your business will thrive because of it.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

My team and playlist have made success possible. I manage my team through using music to make the process effective and time effective

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?  

I spend my time focused on building the voice for change. Inviting more founders of color and women to the table to make the difference I want to see in the world

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me before I started my company” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

1. You have to do accounting, so algebra is an everyday skill
2. Relationships are tough with anyone not just your team
3. Spend the money don’t save the money to reach impact

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

End homelessness with flexible structures

How can our readers follow you on social media?

@ricaelysee on twitter and @beautylynk everywhere else

Website: https://beautylynk.com/

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!