See How This Beauty Punk Rocker Connects With Her Customers Pop-Up Style
- Date: March 8, 2017
- Topic: Uncategorized
- By: Peerspace
When you’re in a hardcore metal band, touring on the road starts to take a toll on your body. That’s why scream queen Kayla Phillips started Foxie Bombs Cosmetics, an online vegan beauty line that helps soothe aches and pains. What started out as her own form of self-care turned into a way for her to help others.
It was important for Kayla to help her customers face-to-face with their skincare problems so she planned a three-day pop-up to connect with her customers in person. She traveled all the way from Nashville to transform this brownstone in Brooklyn to fit her vision. Some customers drove hours just to meet her at the pop-up which made it even more worthwhile, saying, “My whole self is Foxie and I believe customers can connect with my products when they know more about me besides my name.”
Learn more about Kayla’s inspiring story and what’s in store for Foxie Bombs.
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Why did you start Foxie Bombs cosmetics? How did you come up with the name “Foxie”?
I’m a touring musician who has a lot of hidden illnesses, so living in a van for weeks to months at a time and playing hardcore shows every night really takes a toll on my body. I also had a hard time working for other people as my creative needs weren’t met and racism is all too apparent in the south. My own form of self-care is to take baths with my special mixes and write articles, lyrics, or draw in the tub. So I figured I could use Foxie as a way to create art and help others. “Foxie” has been my nickname since 2010 and is definitely a lifestyle.
Since Foxie is only online, why was it important to create a pop-up experience for your customers?
It’s incredibly important for me to remind my customers that they’re not just customers and that I’m not a random person selling them pretty things to make fast money. No matter how many customers I work with, I always remember their names and beauty questions. It’s my way to mix all the things I love in life: helping others, art, and feeling good. Online shops don’t have to take away the joy of talking to people!
There are a ton of moving parts when planning your own pop-up, how did you make it a success?
It can be tough when you have large ideas as a small business, but I wanted to create an entire store, not just a mini booth. I drew directly on the pictures of the space with how I wanted things to look. Since I live in Nashville and the pop-up space was in New York, I had to make sure the 30 boxes of products and decorations arrived safely. Honestly, it was nerve-wracking until the very start of day one! But when you want to do something, you should go for it.
What were some of the highlights from the pop-up?
Nothing beats face-to-face interaction with people who have previously shopped from my store online. Some people drove hours to be there and I can’t explain how much that meant to me. I wanted so badly to have everything come to life and that can’t happen without the customers.
Photography by Katrina Sorrentino
Do you plan to do any future pop-ups?
Yes, I have a running list of the cities to go to next! Los Angeles, Seattle, and my hometown in Austin are all in the works.
What is your advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs?
Have fun and don’t take any easy ways out. Don’t let anyone cloud your vision, no matter how extra it is. Finally, whatever it is you enjoy doing, set your mind to it and no matter what, accept nothing less.
Photography by Katrina Sorrentino
Fun questions!
The first thing I do when I wake up is: Put on music and check emails. This week it’s been a mix of Ty Segall, Negative Approach and Santo & Johnny.
I can’t leave the house without: My mini backpack (aka safety blanket) featuring: Foxie toner spray, guitar picks, Foxie Solid Smell Good in Bloom, and headphones.
What’s your beauty routine like? What are some of your favorite products? I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have an over-the-top shower routine but I have to test out everything so I end up using as many as five soaps at once. But I really can’t live without the Foxie Shower Icings. They’re these foaming body butter soaps that you wish you could eat.
When I feel uninspired I: Sit in my office and look at all that I’ve got to work with. Listen to music or put on my favorite movies.
Advice I’d tell my younger self: You’re you for a reason and you’ll be glad you didn’t give up
Life motto: Stay true to yourself and you’ll always be proud.
