Who is Scottie Lenear?
I am a mother, wife, entrepreneur and all around hustler. My ambition and drive to succeed is like no other. I started off as a silent caterpillar, trapped in a cocoon of reservation. It wasn’t until I started my business that I transformed into the social butterfly I am today. I maintain a positive attitude, sustain a professional demeanor, and uplifting spirit at all times. To some, I am an inspiration. I’m that “vibe” you won’t find anywhere else.
When did you first start Eye Candi by Scottie and why?
I first started Eye Candi by Scottie on January 1, 2020. My main goal is to introduce customers to a new lifestyle of lingerie and elegant intimacy. My mission is to help women fall in love with themselves again, help them love the skin they’re in regardless of their shape, and encourage women to be more in tune with their sensual side so they can master the art of seduction.
How did you come up with the idea and how did you start your business?
It all started with my own lingerie habit. Close to an addiction one could say and just overall excitement for all things intimate. I can remember walking into a Victoria’s Secret store overwhelmed by the many delicate items, different fabrics and styles of lingerie. I was in love with the quality of products and the customer service of their employees. I can remember being mesmerized by certain pieces and I often imagined myself in those lingerie sets, thinking to myself how sexy I would be once I got home. Pleased with how well my purchase was being packaged, made me even more excited with my experience. Buying lingerie was always a treat for myself, a little something to make me feel special. Sweet girlie goodies to show off to my man and sometimes just to take selfies.
In November 2019 hairstylist Chiquita Gordon was throwing an event “The Classic Hair Experience” which I was attending. I can remember feeling so inspired by her longevity and passion within her business, and to see the other small successful business vendors at this event. It got me to thinking about my own passions and goals. So I said to myself, if I could start my own business it would be to sell something I love. Knowing that my number one passion was lingerie I knew then I needed to get started. So I got to work and created Eye Candi by Scottie.
What is your favorite part of doing what you do?
My favorite part of my job is that I’m doing what I love and helping my customers build their self-confidence. I also love building rapport with my customer’s so they trust my recommendations and feel comfortable sending me selfies of them wearing Eye Candi lingerie. It melts my heart to hear stories of how well a customer’s evening went after purchasing my lingerie and/or products. Receiving amazing feedback keeps me motivated and encourages me to strive for bigger goals.
What has been your biggest challenge in 2020? What about your biggest success?
My biggest challenge in 2020 was making a life changing decision on whether to leave my full time job to pursue my business and follow my dreams or stay at my job while putting my dreams on hold in order to remain financially stable. It took me about a month, with discussions between family, friends and asking other business owners, weighing the pros and cons before I finally made my decision to leave my full time job. Eye Candi by Scottie has been my focus ever since.
My biggest success in 2020 would be my customer growth. The number of followers and support I’ve gained in such a short period of time has and continues to amaze me. My customers and followers have crowned me the QueenPin of Lingerie…… and it’s the bragging rights for me!
If you had the ability to mentor another woman, would you consider it?
If I had the ability to mentor another woman I would definitely consider it. I am willing to mentor any woman who has deep seeded passion for her dreams and aspirations. A mentee with goal chaser qualities would motivate me to teach her the game so to speak. I will guide her through starting with nothing and how to flip it into her dream vision using a hustler’s mentality the true QueenPin way.
Looking back, are there any indications from childhood that foreshadowed your becoming a female entrepreneur?
Yes, I have always been creative, driven, and persistent. All which are successful qualities of an entrprenuer.
What tips do you have for other women who would like to start their own businesses?
My top 5 tips I would share with other women who would like to start a business would be:
1.) Figure out who your target audience is. Who are you selling to, what age group, ethnic background or sex.
2.) Research social media marketing, social campaign management, audience engagements, and content marketing.
3.) Whatever you do make sure it’s something you love and not something you think you can just make quick money from.
4.) Start before you are ready. You will never have everything perfectly lined up and in place. So get things organized and jump in.
5.) This may sound funny to some but, try your best not to be a “HATER” reach out to other business women for advice, reach out to women who are in a similar business as yourself and ask them what it takes to get started. Put your pride to the side and ask questions.
Listen to those crossing your path they just may hold the key you’ve been looking for
Where will we see Eye Candi by Scottie in 2021?
I see Eye Candi By Scottie being the number one most popular lingerie line in upstate New York. The Eye Candi by Scottie team will be the most talked about group of individuals.
Be prepared for upcoming YouTube Chanel’s, Eye Candi events and a grand opening to the Eye Candi by Scottie boutique. The takeover is now!
What did you do before starting your business?
Prior to getting into entrepreneurship I worked in the medical administrative assisting field.
What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy relaxing at home with a nice glass of cognac over ice and binge watching tv shows. I also enjoy spending time with my 2 children, shopping, date nights with my husband, and pampering myself from time to time.
What impact do you want to have in the world or change that you want to see or make happen?
I am hoping that my lingerie line impacts the lives of women of all sizes. My goal is to make sure when women put on my pieces they feel sexy and confident regardless of their size or blemishes they may feel insecure about. I want women to embrace their bodies, flaws and all.
Eye Candi by Scottie is a movement!
Who has been your biggest influence and why?
The person who has influenced me the most would be Eloise Monaghan. She is the founder and creative director of Honey Birdette, a lingerie and toy boutique that’s flirty, playful and unapologetically sensual. Her pieces are so amazing and unique it gives me so much inspiration. Even the lush decor and champagne they serve to guests at the boutique just makes me feel like the possibilities are unlimited. The Honey Birdette boutique is everything I wish to have in a store front. Slowly but surely I will get there but until then I will keep on promoting my brand and going hard like I always do for my customers.
