As part of the Morning Lazziness series highlighting empowering women who are making a remarkable impact with their ideas, I had the pleasure of interviewing Queen Mide.
Queen Mide, also known as Iyimide Shola-Shittu, is the visionary founder of WINSOME by TAH, a beauty brand redefining what it means to shine from the inside out. An advocate and entrepreneur passionate about empowering women, Queen Mide created WINSOME to celebrate the modern professional woman—her ambition, elegance, and individuality.
WINSOME by TAH goes beyond lip gloss. Every product is clean, inclusive, and unapologetically elegant, designed to inspire confidence, self-expression, and authenticity. Under Queen Mide’s leadership, the brand champions the belief that beauty and ambition go hand in hand.
With a mission to empower women everywhere to pursue their goals and embrace their unique glow, Queen Mide and her dedicated team of dreamers and beauty enthusiasts are building more than a brand—they’re nurturing a community where women connect, uplift, and shine together.
In this interview, she reflects on the pivotal moments, hard-earned lessons, and defining wins from her journey in building thriving online ventures.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur in the beauty industry, and what led to the creation of your brand or product line?
Winsome by TAH was born from a personal gap I kept seeing — and feeling — in the beauty space. As a Black woman, I often found myself mixing shades, compromising on pigment or comfort, or feeling like I was never truly the intended customer. I wanted something that represented softness, richness, joy — and boldness. I’m an engineer by training, but a creator at heart, and building this brand allowed me to merge both worlds. Winsome is my love letter to women like me — a space where confidence meets care.
As a woman navigating the beauty business world, what unique challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Whew. So many. One of the hardest parts has been working with creatives or collaborators who may not truly believe in the brand — or worse, try to take advantage of it. Finding people who align with your values and genuinely want to help you build (not just benefit) is tough, especially when you’re just starting.
Another challenge has been getting people to believe in the authenticity of what we’re creating. The market is saturated, and even when you’re clearly addressing an unmet need, people often overlook you because you’re new, or because your story doesn’t fit the typical mold. I’ve had to be incredibly intentional — staying grounded in the brand’s purpose, showing up consistently, and letting the work speak for itself. Winsome isn’t a trend. It’s a truth.
Another big challenge has been access — to funding, networks, and clear information. Beauty can be gatekept, and starting as a bootstrapped, Black woman-led brand meant I had to build a lot from scratch. I overcame that by being resourceful, leaning into my community, and asking for help even when it felt uncomfortable.
The beauty industry can be both competitive and demanding—how do you maintain personal well-being while growing your brand?
I delegate — a lot. I’ve learned that I can’t (and shouldn’t) do it all. I rely on my operations lead, community manager, and virtual assistant to keep things moving.
I also try to take advantage of support where I can, whether it’s from family, friends, or community members who genuinely want to see me win. And most importantly, I’ve learned that rest and boundaries are part of the work. Resting doesn’t mean I’m not committed — it means I’m preserving the energy I need to sustain this vision.
Which networking strategies, communities, or collaborations have helped you build meaningful connections in the beauty space?
To be honest, I’m still navigating that space. Some communities feel more like closed circles — expensive to access, or full of unspoken expectations that don’t make room for emerging brands. Other times, you give and give, and don’t receive value in return.
I’ve found that organic connections and peer collaboration go a long way. I’ve been blessed to have friends, fellow founders, and women who pour into the brand without asking for anything back. I’m still on the lookout for spaces that are genuinely inclusive — and if anyone reading this knows of any, I’d love to be pointed in the right direction.
What strategies have worked best for gaining loyal customers and building trust in your beauty brand?
We prioritize clear, honest communication. If there’s a delay, we say so. If someone has a concern, we respond thoughtfully. That personal touch — even in our DMs — has helped us build early trust.
We also involve our audience in the process. From pre-launch surveys to feedback requests, we let our community know: this is your brand, too. And slowly but surely, that’s how we’re building a base of loyal, invested customers.
Transparency. Sharing the journey — not just the polished end product — has helped people buy into the why behind the brand.
Which marketing techniques have been most effective for your business, and how do you measure their success?
Social media has been key — especially Instagram. Our content that feels personal, real, and community-oriented always performs best. But we’re also testing email funnels and in-person brand activations.
As we grow, we’re testing pop-up experiences in different cities — starting with our launch event. Being in the same room with potential customers, letting them touch, feel, try the product — that’s where the magic is. If you see us coming to your city, please pull up. We’re bringing the glow to you.
Success, for us, looks like engagement, feedback, and connection — not just sales.
Can you share a major setback or turning point in your beauty entrepreneurship journey, and how you navigated through it?
A major one was right before our launch — our event planner dropped out just a week before. I had to scramble, rebuild, and rally the team to pull it off. And we did. That moment taught me that willingness beats perfection.
Another moment was dealing with some creative partners who weren’t transparent or aligned with the vision. It reminded me why contracts matter, why clear communication is key, and why discernment should never be rushed. I truly pray for creatives with integrity — because this space needs more of them.
However, the biggest turning point was realizing I couldn’t wait for perfection to launch. I was holding back waiting on funding, more content, better timing. But the truth is — momentum builds from movement. I decided to launch with what I had, and that decision unlocked everything.
What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to women who are just starting their entrepreneurial journey in the beauty industry?
Build something real before you build something big. There’s so much pressure to scale fast, look polished, or mimic other brands. But the brands that last are rooted in clarity, purpose, and consistency.
Start with what you have, refine as you go, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t need to have it all figured out to take the first step. And don’t wait for permission. Create what you wish existed.
Is there a quote, mantra, or philosophy that guides your decision-making and leadership as a beauty entrepreneur?
Absolutely. My mantra is: “Be soft and audacious.” “Softness is strength.”
You don’t have to be hard to lead. You don’t have to shrink to win. There’s power in tenderness — in building something beautiful with heart and strategy. I carry that into everything I do.
I remind myself that leading with care — for myself, my brand, and my people — is not a weakness. It’s actually the secret sauce.
What Are The 5 Things You Need To Overcome Self-Doubt and Build Confidence?
- Clarity of Vision – Knowing your why keeps you anchored when everything else feels shaky.
- Action – Even small steps build momentum. Doubt thrives in inaction.
- Community – You need voices that remind you who you are. Keep your encouragers close.
- Proof – Document your wins, even the small ones. They’re receipts for when imposter syndrome shows up.
- Permission to Grow – Don’t wait until it’s perfect. Confidence builds through doing, not overthinking.
If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be?
I’d start a movement rooted in radical visibility and softness for women of color — especially Black women. We’ve carried so much for so long, and we’re still rising.
Imagine a world where we’re not just surviving, but thriving — in luxury, in ease, in creativity, and in community. Winsome by TAH is a glimpse of that. I want us to have spaces that reflect our full range — not just our resilience, but our radiance.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can find me and follow the brand at:
