Anna Maria Beauty Update 2023
West Virginia Business Plan Competition 2023 Update
Awardee year: 2021-2022
Business Name: Anna Maria Beauty
Personal Email: anna@annamariabeauty.com
Anna Maria Beauty, LLC. will offer a variety of innovative beauty products and solutions. The Earring BackTrack, the first of many products, was created for people who wear earrings and would love to simplify the process of securing the earring back to the earring post or hook. The Earring BackTrack is an inexpensive, simple, handheld tool that was designed specifically to help the many people who struggle to hold and manipulate very small earring backs.
Website/Social Accounts for product business:
Instagram – @annamariabeaut
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@AnnaMariaBeauty
Website – annamariabeauty.com
Team Leader Name: Anna Cummings
School: West Virginia University
Major: Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Business Management
Hometown: Ashburn, Virginia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annacummings17/
Other Social: @theannacummings
2023 Update:
Any new updates to the original products, services or components of your original business idea since starting the competition?
This year, I have worked with RCBI to redesign the shape of the Earring BackTrack to achieve a sleeker, more high-end look. The function of the tool has remained the same.
Have you connected with any coaches or mentors?
Carrie White, Anne Jones, Michele O’Connor, Justin Whitman
Have you received any outside investment since the competition?
On November 4th, 2022, I was invited to pitch for CRAN. My deal lead, Dean Trierwiler, is preparing a Due Diligence report for the CRAN membership to consider.
Have you received any other fundraising like SBIR/STTR, grants, outside of the competition?
I submitted a funding application to RCBI. Deacon Stone expressed interest in potentially helping to fund my next step, manufacturing.
How much did you receive from BPC and/or from outside investors?
I received $5,000 from the BPC.
Has your marketing/online presence grown? New website, email or social media?
My website, email and social media accounts remain under the same names. I am in the process of redesigning my website and social media accounts to prepare for launch. My followers and presence on social media continue to grow.
What hopes/plans do you have for the future growth of your business? Are there areas you still need help with?
I will be manufacturing and launching the Earring BackTrack soon! I plan to initially sell directly through my website and eventually sell in retail stores.
I plan to expand Anna Maria Beauty, LLC. to include cosmetic products. I am currently in talks with a cosmetic chemist who has the expertise to help me develop unique formulas and test and manufacture makeup products.
I am still in need of funding to support the following endeavors: Earring BackTrack patent, manufacturing, and social media advertising.