Angela McGhee’s journey into the world of cosmetic skincare started long before she even set foot in college. Unlike many who go to college unsure of their path, McGhee always knew her passion.
As a young child, she was fascinated by beauty products—not just using them but understanding how they were made. By high school, with her first formal chemistry classes, she connected the dots: these products were created by chemists. Her high school chemistry teacher encouraged this interest, leading McGhee to pursue a degree in chemistry at Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Florida, with the intent of developing cosmetic products.
McGhee’s business evolution has been anything but traditional. She began her business while raising toddlers and working full-time, referring to these early years as her “research years.” During this period, she was making products, getting feedback, and learning her craft under the safety of an LLC for liability reasons.
It wasn’t until 2012 that her business, Definitive Formulations, LLC, truly began to take shape, as she shifted focus from her children to growing her business in Conway, Arkansas.
Initially, McGhee planned to create products under her own brand. However, she discovered a love for the diversity of working with different products and clients. Today, she specializes in creating custom products for entrepreneurs. At any moment, she could receive a call from a new brand owner wanting to develop one to 10 new products. McGhee thrives on this creative challenge, turning ideas into shelf-ready products.
McGhee sought ways to expand her business, attract more clients, and hire two new employees. Enter Communities Unlimited (CU) and her collaboration with the Entrepreneurship and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Team to develop an eWealth Health plan.
McGhee’s journey with CU began unexpectedly when she found a postcard from the organization in her mail — a piece of mail she almost discarded. Intrigued, she reached out to learn more about them. As an entrepreneur, McGhee knew the basics of starting a business, but she realized many of her peers didn’t fully understand how to utilize the vast resources available through government and state programs. CU opened a new world of support and resources for her.
Working with CU was unlike any other experience McGhee had encountered. She had participated in accelerators and worked with various organizations, but none matched the cohesive support provided by CU.
CU Management Consultant Barretta Robinson helped her flesh out her business model and dive into more detailed financial planning. With additional support from Senior Management Consultant Rhett Douglas, McGhee’s financial literacy improved significantly.
The classes offered by CU were instrumental in her growth, McGhee acknowledged. They provided a comprehensive understanding of financial concepts, taking her financial literacy from a basic level to advanced proficiency. The Entrepreneurship Team also challenged McGhee to question her assumptions and decisions, leading to strategic planning and the exploration of new revenue streams.
One of the most impactful suggestions came from Robinson, who recommended McGhee consider the APEX Accelerators – a program that provides education and training to ensure all businesses can take on federal, state, and local government contracts. Initially unsure how government contracting fit with her business, McGhee’s curiosity led her to apply. She gained insights, made contacts, and saw new opportunities for her products within government sectors.
The support from CU has been unmatched, McGhee says. She added that the extensive library of recorded courses and live classes provided by CU allowed her to deep dive into various topics, reinforcing her learning.
"I’d encourage any entrepreneur to take advantage of the services offered by Communities Unlimited and to spread the word to other entrepreneurs. It’s a great service, and we all need to support it. After finishing my strategic planning, I feel confident in my ability to implement it and grow my business. Communities Unlimited has played a big role in helping me prepare and execute a solid growth plan."
— Angela McGhee, Owner, Definitive Formulations
Through her collaboration with CU, McGhee has expanded her business, improved her financial skills, and found strong support. Definitive Formulations is a prime example of how leveraging CU’s resources can lead to growth.
“Angela approached us seeking assistance in understanding her financial status,” Robinson said. “She has frequently expressed her gratitude, saying, ‘Communities Unlimited has helped me grasp my financial projections. They have guided me in managing material costs and provided clarity on planning for hiring new employees.’ Our goal is always to provide support, and seeing Angela’s growth and success is a testament to the power of leveraging available resources.”
