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Published: May, 2009

JULIE WAGNER • PLACENTIA
Mother of a 2-year-old son

Business: Radiant Minerals Cosmetics

Product or service:
Radiant Minerals is a mineral cosmetics company that offers pure mineral makeup with no talc, parabens, bismuth oxychloride, dyes, oils or fillers. We are also a vegan-friendly company and are adamant against animal testing.

How did you come up with the idea?
I found that I am allergic to bismuth oxychloride and a few other fillers and found that a LOT of women have had the same problem, so I decided to do something about it. Thats how Radiant Minerals was founded. I wanted to provide an alternative mineral makeup that was affordable, easy to wear and, most of all, versatile to use in any type of situation.

What did it take to get your business launched?
I registered my name, got my business license in Placentia, hired an awesome Web site designer, researched (for days!) a good host for my Web site, and started some online free networking. I ordered some simple mineral makeup components and started to mix colors, finding which colors looked good on different skin types. My business was started from cash. I am a completely debt-free company. 

What is the size of your business?
In 2008, Radiant Minerals’ annual sales were $43,900. We have over 2,000 repeat buyers, with an average of 230 new customers a month. Right now we only have two full-time employees, with a few part-time staffers when we get rushed on orders. This quarter we are already at $15,850! That’s $4,875 more than this time last year. We are in 49 salons and boutique’s all across the world, including Guam, the Philippines, Japan and Italy.

What are your plans for the business?
We plan to add about 40 new products this year, while retiring a few old ones. We are also getting custom packaging that will help us grow in the stores we are in.

Do your children help you with your business?
My son LOVES to help with the bubble wrap!

Did you have any special education or training that relates to your business?
I am a makeup artist and a massage therapist. I also have my MBA in business management from the University of Maryland.

Do you have a business role model?
My husband’s grandparents. Grandpa Gil told me before I started Radiant Minerals to “do this without using your credit cards or getting a loan.”