Hello Barbie wants you to know that someone else’s success won’t take away from your own
Jasmine Shaw, a.k.a. Hello Barbie, did something we never thought could be done – make a couple million from selling phone accessories.
Yes, you read that right. Not only has she made a huge name for herself, she’s had tons of success and is trying to teach others how to do it, too.
We sat down with Jasmine to talk about what exactly it is that she does, how she got so successful, and where her entrepreneurial journey has landed her as of late. Check out the interview below to learn about our new favorite girl boss!
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What’s your background and how would you describe what you do? Tell us your story.
My initial background is in public relations – that’s what I went to college for. When I first got out of school, my focus was PR. But, after a while, I changed my mind and got into real estate.
I then decided to go into commercial cleaning and owned a super profitable company for 3 years, where I had over 23 contracts. But, then I wanted to move to LA. So I literally sold all the contracts and started networking and I started my next business venture, Phone Fancy, which I still have today.
Within the past year so many women have been reaching out to me asking to help build their brands and how to properly market because I took something as simple as phone cases and created a million dollar business.
A lot of women are selfish with their formula to success once they reach a certain level. Why have you decided to teach women entrepreneurs how to start their own business?
I honestly feel like someone else being successful won’t take away from my success. I’ve always been the type who’s down to help others. I’m not a hater, so helping my friends and people I don’t know came naturally to me.
People are always like wtf do you do and how else do you make money? It literally all started from selling phone accessories that I have this platform to not only make my brand more successful but to teach other young women how to make money as well.
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Do you wish you had a business mentor or someone who can guide you through the process like you do for others? Or do you think not having much guidance or someone to lean on helped you more in the long run?
Of course I wish I had a “me” for myself, because I did waste a lot of money, but I’m glad I had to take this journey. I traveled to China 4 times to meet with vendors, learning the culture, experiencing a vendor flake out on me because the order was too much, seeing first hand how vendors do business, and making global connections.
These are things I wouldn’t have been able to do if someone just handed me the blue print. But, I’m glad to be that bridge for that business owner who can’t take multiple trips to China or waste hundreds of dollars trying to find the right product.
How did your brand blow up and how does social media help your business make money?
I made Phone Fancy “a thing,” because when I started it wasn’t hundreds of people doing it. People loved the phone accessories because when I came around the iPhone 4 was around and no one was providing super cute accessories for the new iPhone trend.
Even now, girls will always want a cute phone case and there isn’t a super known person for selling phone accessories like it is for hair extensions, makeup, or clothes. I had a pretty good following on social media from living in Atlanta and LA so I began reaching out to celebrities and influencers who I could have easy access to. They were happy to promote my products on social media in exchange for various cases, and it grew from there.
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You are now friends with Rihanna, how did that happen?
Really through social media. Even till this day I’m still like how did that happen, because the very first time that I met her was at her house. She invited me and my best friend to her studio which was actually in her home – she had a Halloween party in LA. Her driver picked us up and the friendship really grew from there.
It’s crazy because when you’re around her it’s like you know that she is a celebrity but she makes you feel so regular like she’s your sister. She is real af and as busy as she is, she always makes time for the people she cares about – which makes me love her more.
Where did your nickname “Hello Barbie” come from? Why do you prefer this over your real name?
When I was young af I was super girly and did charm school, cooking classes, etc. and my aunt started calling me “Barbie.”
I didn’t have a business page at first so when people would shout out my products they would tag me. Then, all the celebrities I became cool with and my friends all followed me on there so my followers grew from that. I remember a friend I use to have told me to change my name because it was childish and I was like, bitch! Rihanna follows “Hello Barbie,” I’m not changing shit!
For people who attend your classes, buy your e-books, or book your coaching call – what can they expect to gain?
Working with me, you’re going to gain the knowledge you can’t easily find on the internet to start and run a profitable business. I always cater to my clients. I don’t like talking about myself for hours so my classes are about you, your business struggles, and we talk about resourceful ways that literally work to make a successful business.
Tell us about a difficult time in your life that you overcame and explain how you did so.
The most difficult time I can remember was having my own store. I knew phone repair would be a good add on for my business and would attract more customers. But, in that time frame of having my store which was for two years, I hired and fired over 25 technicians in my first 3 months.
It was so difficult that I got to the point where I literally didn’t want to do it anymore. I’m glad I got the experience of having employees and learning the ins and outs of being a store owner, but it just wasn’t for me.
What do you really want your followers to take away from this interview?
Please go for whatever goals you have. So many people say they’re scared and want to start something but can’t and you’re only cheating yourself with that mindset. We’re young, we don’t have to have it all figured out, but start working towards something.
I’m 34 and I’m just figuring out what I want to do, I’ll start something and move on if I no longer feel fulfilled or interested. Network with influencers and market your brand the right way, you don’t have to have a huge social media following to become financially successful.
Photographer by Jeremy Richardson
