Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Wagner.
Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always loved makeup and my career in the beauty industry started in 2012 when I landed my first job in cosmetics at INGLOT, and also started my own clothing line, TIME LOS ANGELES. I worked at INGLOT for about a year before I moved on to work for MAC until 2014. Throughout those years, I was also working towards my degree in Business Marketing at Cal State Fullerton (Graduated 2015).
Although I am so proud to have achieved all of these goals, I can’t say it was easy in the slightest. Trying to balance my part-time job for MAC on the weekends, while growing my social media platforms, going to college full-time during the week (and commuting), and also trying to run my own clothing line was tough. I remember having severe anxiety thinking about the orders I had to ship out, while also making sure I studied for (and passed) my next exam or quiz.
Luckily, I had my boyfriend (now fiancé), Josh, to guide me through the way. We met during a class in college and he introduced me to the world of screen printing and design. Though I’ve always had a creative side in drawing, photography, editing, modeling, etc. Josh opened the doors for other types of design I never thought I would be doing today. Looking back at my old myspace bios, I remember writing that “one day, I’ll own a clothing line” and I guess the stars aligned for me because it turned out to be my full-time career and I can honestly say I love my job. From sketching an idea to executing it onto a shirt to shipping out the finished product to a real-life customer, my job encompasses all my favorite aspects of design and creativity.
In 2016, I introduced my first set of Professional Makeup Brushes, and in 2017 I launched Luxury Lashes and Luxe Matte Liquid Lipsticks. Being one of the first clothing lines made by a professional makeup artist, I wanted to provide something cute and sassy for all other makeup artists or makeup enthusiasts to wear, almost like a uniform! With the aesthetic of wearing all black as a working makeup artist, everyone who loves makeup can feel that way wearing TIME LA. Since my line is catered to all makeup addicts, I also wanted to have makeup products that were designed by someone who is in the field and knows what types of products work best.
Today, aside from still working full-time with my brand, TIME LA, I am also freelancing again as a traveling makeup artist, and have the privilege of using my own cosmetic products and tools on my clients, providing a luxury experience.
Has it been a smooth road?
My advice to anyone starting their journey is to prepare for a bumpy road with lots of obstacles. Success isn’t always easy or fast when you’re starting from the bottom. Do as much research as you can because answers and directions aren’t always clear. Prepare to ditch your social life if you are committed to starting your own business because not everyone (even your best friends) will understand or stay your friend along the road. If they fall out of your life, it’s for a reason. Stay focused and you will achieve your goals with the right amount of determination.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with TIME LOS ANGELES – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My brand is most known for being inclusive to all who love makeup! Whether you’re a working makeup artist or a makeup enthusiast, TIME LA has something for you. From tees, hoodies, and makeup bags, to lipstick, lashes, and brushes, we have something for just about any makeup addict! The best thing about our brand is that it’s 100% designed by me, with my customers in mind. I want to provide products that make any girl (or boy) feel like a boss!
The thing I’m most proud of is that my brand is still very small, but most people don’t know that unless you’ve followed me on social media from the start. I pretty much handle all of the departments from design, PR, & Media, to Production, Shipping, and Customer Service, and I can proudly say that I have 0 employees at the moment. However, eventually, I will have to branch out and hire more people to help me! Thankfully I have my Fiancé’s screen printing company, So Cal Ink, to help me along the way. I’ve also had the pleasure of watching his business grow from the very bottom. Seeing him help other brands, like me, head in the right direction, providing business advice, and design advice is beneficial to his clients, and not many screen printers offer that. Not to mention, his print quality is pristine, and he always makes every effort to ensure he provides that continuously to his clients. Sometimes I tease him about being so “extra”, but him being a perfectionist has rubbed off on me, and I’ve learned it doesn’t hurt to take your time perfecting something until you feel 150% confident about it!
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I feel that women of all shapes, sizes, and colors are beautiful. Being in the beauty industry has taught me a lot about others and one thing I notice is that we all love to feel and look beautiful. Nowadays, with social media, I feel that a lot of women have stepped up to show their skills within the beauty industry, and help inspire women all around the world in many different ways. I think this made such a big impact in the world of social media that more people started taking interest in the jobs the beauty industry has to offer. A lot of girls love makeup, and to be able to work with big brands found at Sephora, or MAC, is a dream come true for a lot of women. For those that don’t want to be an influencer on social media, there are other opportunities such as working for the brands in retail, distribution, PR, and other departments that still have to do with cosmetics. Not to mention, visiting some of the Headquarters of big brands like Too Faced, have shown me that even working in a corporate environment can be a lot of fun!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shoptimela.com
- Email: ashleywagnermua@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/ashleyswagnerxo
- Facebook: facebook.com/ashleyswagnerxo
- Other: instagram.com/timelosangeles
Image Credit:
Ashley Wagner
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