A local startup company, MakeMeMakeup, founded by Tresha Heath, recently launched its first iPhone app.
MakeMeMakeup is a customized makeup service that allows users to design personalized cosmetics using a smartphone application.
“We started with the iPhone now and hope to add apps for the iPad, Android and other Web-based applications later this spring and summer,” Heath said.
Heath said the app is free and allows customers to design a custom lip gloss for $20, which includes all shipping and handling costs.
“We started with lip gloss since we knew it would be the most popular and plan to add more products such as lipstick, cream blush and a full line of cosmetics,” she said.
Heath started her company to bring custom-blended cosmetics to the mass market, primarily targeting women age 25-50. The firm has surpassed $30,000 in actual sales and continues to see significant growth, she said.
MakeMeMakeup won first place and a prize of $2,500 in the first Pitch & Pour business competition for startups held by the University of Toledo Business Incubation Program in May 2013.
Heath said the company used that prize money to purchase stock and operating materials for the business, adding that UT has facilitated additional funds for branding and marketing of the firm’s products.
Toledo-based North Design did a great job of designing a logo and website for MakeMeMakeup, Heath said. North is an advertising and new media agency specializing in the creation of branding, marketing, and communication tools.
Originally from Perrysburg, Heath worked as a celebrity makeup artist for 20 years in Chicago, Miami, New York and Los Angeles. She and her husband, Blaine Graboyes, recently returned to the Toledo area for his job.
Heath is currently the sole owner of the business but said she will actively seek investments through Series A funding during the next 12 months.
Heath said she will use the money raised for trademark work, doing market research through UT, launching additional apps and opening a kiosk in Toledo this summer. The plan is to open additional kiosks in various regions of the country based on the market research results.
The Mix
Heath and MakeMeMakeup participated in The Mix: Black + White fundraising event for The Arts Commission on March 15 at the retail level at One SeaGate. The firm was one of numerous vendors that sold its products to raise funds for The Arts Commission.
Health said she sold nearly $500 worth of custom cosmetics at the event with a good portion of that amount going to The Arts Commission.
“We raised $32,000 so it was a successful and fun event for us,” said Jennifer Jarrett, deputy director of The Arts Commission.
The Mix featured a silent auction of fine art by local artists, a mini workshop by local artist Mary Gagnier, a raffle, a selection of gourmet cuisine from the area’s top chefs representing 14 restaurants and an evening of live music and entertainment.
About 450 patrons and 100 volunteers attended the evening event, Jarrett said.
For more information, visit makememakeup.com.
