This week’s Ambassador Feature is with Antonietta Bergamin, Colores Mineral Cosmetics
2018 AusMumpreneur Hair & Beauty Business Award bronze winner
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Tell us the story behind why you love what you do and why you’re so passionate about sharing your message?
I love what I do because it is not just about makeup. It is about creating a message to all women no matter their ethnicity. A voice that brings diversity to a space that never really has been consistent, bridging the gap in the world of makeup. Bringing women closer together and changing the way women buy makeup.
Tell us a story about a challenging time you faced, how you overcame it and what lesson/lessons/wisdom this experience has taught you about life and business.
After the set up of my first concept store using all the funds from the sale of my Beauty Salon, after three years I was faced with a decision. It was the time of the GFC and business was slowing as people had lost their super, and women were not spending as much on high end cosmetics. We were faced with high rent and having a store with 8 staff I was forced to either close down or down size. I decided to diversify and open a second store. Although it was tough, this saved the brand as I was able to transition and down size without losing the brand altogether. The most difficult part was the laying off of staff. Sometime later I fell pregnant with my third child and I literally worked my self to burn out. The second store was successful however the changes to online purchasing was making a huge impact on store sales. I then decide to take the business totally online and haven’t looked back. I have gained so much experience riding all the waves (only a few mentioned) to come out the other end a lot more life balanced. The most difficult part for me was personal. I found it so hard to get the right work, life balance and one would always suffer some way. I have learnt to not feel guilty about stepping back from either family or business to re charge and re-centre myself. I learnt that it is OK to say “No” and to never over-commit myself.
What are 3 pieces of advice you would give someone starting out in business?
1. Work in your business initially then strategically plan to work on your business.
2. Delegate as much as possible to people who are better than you for things which you struggle with.
3. Always know what is going on in your business regardless of who is in charge.
Antonietta Bergamin (1st from the right)
(Image credit: Alex Anderson, Jam on your Collar)
What is your proudest business achievement? Why does this mean so much to you?
I have achieved a lot throughout my business career. Having started at the age of 16 years old owning my first business, receiving many accolades during my younger years for Young Achiever and Innovation Awards to Business Nominations and Sales Awards, to the latest AusMumpreneur Award in my category. However, the biggest achievement and most proudest is to be recognised as a leader in my field by my customers. These people drive me every single day. They inspire me to keep creating for them products that speak louder than words by women who are proud to just be happy in the skin they were born with. This itself is a huge achievement.
Finally, what do you believe is the secret to success?
Success is never measurable. It is only measured by what you can do. There is no real secret only one that is unlocked by your own potential, hard work and consistency to be the best you can be. If we measured success by the dollar then I would not be successful because how much financially is regarded as successful? Success in my opinion is like saying how long is a piece of string. It is the journey to success that is the real secret, and for each and every one of us to travel along without comparison to anyone but ourselves. Just be the best success you can be for yourself, that is all that matters….to me any way.
About our AusMumpreneur Ambassador
Antonietta was born in a rural agriculture town called Virginia in SA. She was always a shy little country girl but seemed to always have an entrepreneurial streak in her when she started selling hair bows to her friends in Primary School. Fast forward to today she is now a mother of three beautiful children and the founder of Colores Mineral Cosmetics. A brand that was developed out of sheer frustration of not being able to find the right foundation shade for her skintone. Having a background in Beauty Therapy and owning two successful Beauty businesses in her 20’S she was able to use her salons as a testing ground for her custom blend makeup. After a successful sale she invested funds into her brand to make it what it is today. In her spare time she loves gardening and volunteering at the local school. She also has never had a tooth filling.
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