How Growing Up With a Single Mom Inspired Shan Berries’ Impact-Driven Makeup, Shades By Shan
Shades By Shan isn't just an affordable, high-quality cosmetics brand featuring a diverse range of shades, but also a makeup company with a mission.
The San Francisco-based brand was founded by Shan Berries in 2018, selling great makeup products that, in turn, support the single parents who need it most. Shan herself was raised by a single Latina mother, which inspired Shades By Shan's mission to give back through the brand's non-profit organization, the Mamaberries Foundation. You can shop the brand both online and at JCPenney stores, and keep scrolling to read our interview with Shan about being an entrepreneur and what it means to her to make a difference.
IG handles: @shanberries @shadesbyshan
Hometown: San Francisco, California
1. Shan has had a passion for makeup for as long as she can remember.
"Yet, I grew weary of splurging on pricey cosmetics only to be disappointed by their quality. Witnessing numerous influencers collaborating with big brands sparked an epiphany: If they can do it, why not me, but doing it on my own? With this realization, I embarked on my journey to establish my own brand, dedicated to offering high-performing products at accessible prices and being impact-driven."
-Shan Berries
(via Shades By Shan)
2. Her one must-have beauty product is the brand's Berry Obsessed Shadow Palette.
"The Berry Obsessed Eyeshadow Palette is my ultimate go-to, mommy-proof palette. It's versatile enough for both daily use and travel, allowing me to effortlessly create my favorite looks and perfect my brows on the go."
-Shan Berries
(via Shades By Shan)
3. The brand's name is about celebrating people of all kinds.
"The name shades in Shades By Shan embodies diversity and inclusivity, reflecting the reality that as Latinas and as humans, we all come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It also showcases the wide spectrum of colors we offer, celebrating the diversity within our community."
-Shan Berries
Also read about: How Alicia Zeng Turned Her Love of Beauty Into an Eyelash Empire With Lilac St.
4. Shades By Shan is all about making a difference.
"Shades By Shan is an impact-driven cosmetics company with a mission centered on making a positive impact, particularly by supporting single parents in need. Raised by a single mother ourselves, my sister and I intimately understand the challenges of solo parenting. When we established the Mamaberries Nonprofit Foundation 501c3, we realized there was a gap that needed filling. We took the initiative to be the first, and as a result, we've been able to assist over 80 families to date."
-Shan Berries
(via Mamaberries Foundation)
5. The best advice she ever got was to always prioritize kindness.
"I also received invaluable advice from JLO, who shared her secret to success: 'Always work harder than everybody else.' I took this advice to heart and have since made it my guiding principle, serving as constant motivation."
-Shan Berries
6. She says that kindness, consistency and hard work have been the key ingredients to her success.
"You never know when or where you might encounter someone who can offer assistance or make a valuable connection. Simply by embodying kindness, you can go a long way in life."
-Shan Berries
Also read about: ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND Managing Director Alicia Lindner on Keeping the Family Legacy Alive
7. Her favorite makeup tip is all about the power of blending.
"Whether it's eyeshadow, foundation or blush, blending is essential for achieving a seamless and natural-looking makeup application. Take your time to blend your makeup products properly and you'll notice a significant improvement in the overall finish of your look."
-Shan Berries
(via Shades By Shan)
8. The reward she finds in her work is two-fold.
"Contributing to our community in real-time and witnessing the immediate impact of our efforts, alongside creating easy-to-use, high-quality products for our consumers."
-Shan Berries
9. The one thing she wants people to know about her is that she's just like everybody else.
"I have my good and bad days. I celebrate my wins and have also gone through some losses. I put pride in everything I do and I have a dream just like the rest of us. I will continue chasing my dreams endlessly, and I hope anyone reading this, you do too."
-Shan Berries
For more insights from our favorite founders, click HERE to read our interview with Stay Golden HI Jewelry creator Aliya Chen.