Denyce Davis shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Denyce, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day usually start with me waking up a little earlier so I can spend some quiet, quality time with God. I’ll open my Bible app, read a devotional, and just center myself before the day gets moving. After that, I’ll do my self-care routine and then it’s time to get my son ready for school. He’s super independent now, but I still love packing his lunch and picking out his clothes, if he lets me (lol). Once I drop him off, I either stop by Dunkin’ for breakfast or make something at home. Breakfast is one meal I never skip. I’m definitely a breakfast girly. After that, I’m fueled up and ready to really start my day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Denyce! I’m the founder of Hottie Cosmetics, a beauty brand that’s all about confidence, elegance, and self-expression. What started as just lashes has grown into something bigger: a space where women can feel glamorous, empowered, and unapologetically themselves.
My brand is unique because it’s built with intention. Every product I create is designed with the thought of, “how will this make women feel?” I want it to be more than makeup. I want it to be a statement, an experience, a boost of confidence in every tube or palette.
Right now, I’m especially excited about my upcoming lip collection. It’s been in the works for a while, and I’ve poured so much creativity and love into it. I can’t wait for everyone to experience it. It’s bold, timeless, and speaks to the heart of what my brand represents.
Beyond business, I’m a mom, an entrepreneur, and a woman who’s passionate about growth in faith, in purpose, and in creating something that leaves a lasting mark. My journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has shaped me and my brand into what it is today.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me the most about work is my dad and grandmother. They have always been that voice reminding me that as a Black woman, I’d have to work twice as hard, not because I wasn’t capable, but because of the stigmas that exist. Growing up, I saw how women were often expected to be seen and not heard, to play the background instead of standing in the spotlight. My dad and grandma never wanted that for me.
They always taught me the ins and outs of what real work ethic looks like… to never let anyone else define me, to never let stereotypes box me in, and to always let my work speak for itself. Their lessons weren’t just about showing up for the job, but about showing up for myself with excellence, consistency, and pride in everything I do.
Even now, they continue to guide me and push me to be better, reminding me that my voice deserves to be heard and my place is at the front, not in the background. Those values are what I carry into my business and into every role I step into.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the biggest defining wounds of my life has been learning to fully trust God and not just in the big picture, but in the everyday. There have been seasons where I felt distant from Him, where I struggled to understand my worth, or where I questioned if I was really in alignment with His plan for my life. Those moments were hard because I always wanted to be close to Him, but sometimes I found myself wrestling with distractions, my own plans, or trying to carry everything on my own.
The way I’ve been healing is by choosing, day by day, to draw nearer to Him. That looks like starting my mornings in His Word, reminding myself that my identity isn’t in what I do or how others see me but it’s in who He says I am. It’s praying over my son, my business, and my future, and trusting that He is guiding every step.
I’ve learned that faith isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about surrendering the questions. And when I surrendered, when I truly let God be in control I started to see His hand in everything. Even this lip collection is part of that testimony. It’s not just makeup to me, it’s proof of God’s faithfulness, creativity, and purpose flowing through me. Everything I do, every product I create, every risk I take, is for His glory.
Healing, for me, has been about realizing that I don’t have to strive to be enough… I already am in Him. And that truth has given me peace, boldness, and a confidence that no one can take away.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friends what matters to me most, they’d all say without hesitation, my relationship with Jesus. More than anything, I care about making sure I’m in alignment with Him, walking hand in hand with Him daily. Everything I have is because of Him, and everything I am is because of Him. My friends know that staying in His will isn’t just something I talk about but it’s how I try to live my life.
They’d probably also say that my faith shows up in everything I do, whether it’s how I parent, how I run my business, or how I treat the people around me. To me, success isn’t just about accomplishments, it’s about pleasing God and making sure He gets the glory. That’s what truly matters to me, and I think the people closest to me see that clearly.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about me when I am gone is that I lived a life of faith, purpose, and impact. That I loved God deeply and let His light shine through everything I did. That I was a woman who didn’t just build a brand but built people up, poured into others, and left every space better than I found it.
I want them to say I was bold enough to chase my dreams, gentle enough to lift others as I rose, and faithful enough to always point back to Him. That my work, my motherhood, my creativity, and my life itself were all reflections of God’s goodness. More than anything, I want my story to inspire others to believe that no matter where they start, they can walk in purpose, break cycles, and create something beautiful with their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Hottiecosmetics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hottiecosmeticsco?igsh=MTBzemFldGE0cmFncQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19t4TYJSBp/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hottiecosmeticsco?_t=ZP-90G2bbTUPgE&_r=1
