Rising Stars: Meet Madison Kelly of Durham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Kelly.

Hi Madison, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my business during my senior year of high school, just a young 17-year-old girl who, at the time, had trouble finding a job that best suited my interest. I always knew that one day I would want to follow in my mother’s entrepreneurial footsteps, but I never had a passion for becoming a hair stylist (sorry, mom)! I then thought to myself, why not do something I love? I remember only having a budget of $150.00. With that, I bought lash cases off Amazon and ordered only 30 pairs of lashes through a wholesaler located in China. Once my product arrived, I packaged them in the cases and wrote names of them that derived from Nick Minaj’s “PINK FRIDAY” album. The next day, I put all 30 pairs of lashes in a purse and went to Hillside Highschool, where I attended school and ended up selling out that day at $8.00. Once I returned from school, I made an Instagram account named OHKCOLLECTION. Ever since then, OHKCOLLECTION has thrived tremendously with a variety of products. Who would’ve thought that a 17-year-old girl would continue her business and will soon be 20?

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There will always be struggles when referring to being an entrepreneur. It is a risk every day because you will never know how the next day may go. There may be a period when I will thrive in sales and when I will not get orders at all. I believe it is all about determination, manifestation, and hard work. Of course, it’s time when I want to stop my business, but this is a part of my purpose. My purpose is my passion, and for that, I will not stop.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a junior at North Carolina A&T State University as a Marketing Major. In the past 3 years, I have grown in ways I could never imagine, thanks to A&T. A&T has allowed me to break myself down while being able to bring myself up. One thing I am most proud of is being able to make myself proud through something I created. I believe owning a business is what sets me apart from others. Not everyone can run a business. The passion, dedication, marketing, customers, and more will be why I do not compare to others. To others, selling lashes, lipgloss, and shades will be basic to one. But, to me, it means more than anything in the world. Being able to walk into a room and see people wearing and flaunting my product or even when customers tell me how much they love my product is the highlight of my day. I love my business because it is something that I brought to life. Something that will always thrive as long as I give it the time. Something that has allowed me to come into contact with major influencers or sit in rooms I’d never be in if I weren’t an entrepreneur.

What matters most to you?
Something that matters most to me is my future. I can say that because I am BEYOND blessed to have parents who are always there for me and will help me whenever. But, I do know that one day it is up to me to be in control of my future. I believe that with me starting now, at only 19, building my future, and making connections, I will succeed in life.

Pricing:

• Lashes: $12.00 USD
• Lipgloss + Brown Lipliner: $15.50 USD
• Shades: $10.50

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.theohkcollection.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ohkcollection
• Facebook: Www.facebook.com/madison-kelly