I quit uni to launch a beauty brand – now people are queuing up for it… I don’t even have a GCSE in business
A YOUNG woman who quit university to launch her own beauty brand now has people queuing up to buy her products.
Ellie Carlile, from the UK, dropped out of university and spent her £2,000 life savings to launch the sell-out brand.
The 23-year-old from Surrey had previously worked as a lifeguard, cleaner and retail assistant, but had zero experience in running a business when she decided to start @byelliebeauty.
Most people who go on to launch a business usually get an itch to be an entrepreneur through school or university, but the brunette beauty didn’t even study business as a GCSE.
Speaking to the Daily Star, she said: “I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t believe in myself, if I failed I would have pivoted and tried something else but I don’t give up easily so I had faith, grit and determination,” she said.
“I like to think I have a creative mind and always wanted to start my own business, I wanted to start as soon as possible.”
The idea came to Ellie during the pandemic, when she started suffering from acne and dry, chapped lips – spurring her to create her own lip balm in 2021.
She then began to make a brow wax, which she claims sold out immediately after it went viral on TikTok.
Ellie added: “Everything changed after the Brow Shape had been available for a few months, the page started growing and one video went viral.
“I thought my phone was going to blow up, it was the best day ever! We sold out immediately, I was absolutely not prepared for it.
“The only low I’ve experienced is a little self-doubt, to learn quickly how to scale and build the business – I didn’t take GCSE business!
“But I’m constantly researching, learning and listening to my gut. I get it so wrong sometimes but I make sure not to make the same mistake twice.”
The beauty whizz claims she now makes six figures, enough to pay herself a salary from her dream job.
18 months on, the brand has now received international support – with people across the UK and US wanting the products.
Even Kim Kardashian’s MUA Ash Kohlm begged to try the products herself.
The brand has become so popular that the team plan to move to a warehouse soon to keep up with demand.
“In such a competitive market and industry-like beauty, you can expect so many doors to close before one opens for you,” Ellie explained.
“I had to quickly develop that grit, determination and powerful self-belief.
“After making many mistakes and navigating my way through the beauty world, I finally came up with the formula and we’re growing quickly.”