Behind every great brand there stands someone with a vision, determination, drive and a go-getter attitude. This is the exact embodiment for the creator of Anonymous Lacquer (AL), Mildred Edwards.

I was introduced to Anonymous Lacquer via Hella Holo Customs FB Group where I fell in love with Vampire Barbie, I Wanna Do Real Bad Things With You and Baby Vamp in December 2015. Since then, I have managed to collect a small, but might army of AL. Recently, I also worked with Mildred to create the 2 custom polishes for my giveaway (now closed), Poisonous Venom and Golden Mane. So it was only befitting to interview her for my Indie Maker Series.

photo provided courtesy of Mildred Edwards

Name: Mildred Edwards
Location:Virginia (east coast)

Q: Birthday
A: 11/3/ 🙂

Q: Rock Band or Classical Orchestra?
A: Late 80s to mid 90s R&B, hip hop and rap.

Q: Morning or Night
A: Night

Q: Meat and Potatoes or Soup and Salad
A: Meat and potatoes

Q: Summer or Winter
A: Winter

Q: Night on the town w/ friends or evening alone a home
A: Evening home mixing polish!!!

Q: Heels or flats
A: Flats

Q: If you were a an animal, what would it be and why?
A: Unicorn cuz I’m freaking mystically fabulous!!

Q: When and why did you deicied to start a nail polish line and what makes your brand different?
A: May is Anonymous anniversary. This was my 3rd year. Started making cuz swatching and blogging wasn’t my thing. So making was the only way I was gonna continue to support my polish habit!! Honestly, I’m a DIYer and very creative by nature. So when I figured I could make it, I wanted in!! I have been franking polishes for years actually. Not just for bails but for DIY project as a kid. I’m different because I try to always be approachable. I give my customers what they want. I don’t try and overload them with collections.

Q: What is one thing you’re willing to share that your customers would be surprised to know about you?
A: Hmmm I’m not sure. I feel like I’m an open book.

Q: What advice/tips/best practices would you give someone wanting to start their own polish company?
A:Test, Test, and Test. Treat your customers like you would want to be treated!!!

Q: Besides your own, what other brands do you own/wear?
A: Gahhh!! Soo many I think Ever After and Crows Toes is probably my favorite. They have some of the most unique stuff!! China Glaze and Color Club would be my mainstream favs. I don’t have many but Caption (young nails) is a mainstream fav too.

Q: Describe yourself in 5 words
A: Loyal, Honest, Creative, Compassionate, Professional

Q: What is one of yours favorite collections or polishes you created?
A: That’s so hard!!! The Brotherhood Collection. It was modern and bold!! But I think my newest not yet released will be my fav!! They are all bold and fun!!! Carnival colletion.

Q: What are your top 3 favorite things to do? (Outside of making polish and filling orders…lol)?
A: Gardening I’m not good at it. Reading, but I listen to books now while I’m mixing!!! I know this is dumb but I love binge watching TV series.

Q: How did you come up with your company name and logo?
A: That’s a long story. I was supposed to have a partner. When I made our original logo he posted it on Instagram. He didn’t mention me or anything about us. So I had to go on my own and I really didn’t want him to know. That’s how I became anonymous and what best goes with that then a mask.

Q: If you weren’t in the indie polish business, what’s another product you would like to create?
A: I would love to refurbish furniture.

Q: Any spoilers that you care to share about future collections, products, etc?
A: Cuticle care items.

Q: In 10 words or less, what would be your brand slogan?
A: I don’t have one. But I really want one!!

Q: What do you love most about being an indie polish maker?
A: I love my fans and I love the creativity.

Q: What other brand (just 1) would you like to collab with or have already collabed with?
A: I have worked with alot of makers for the Awesomesauce Box. I fan girled the most with Cupcake. I’d really love to collab with Crows Toes.

Q: Favorite nail art technique?
A: Water marble!

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment to date with your brand?
A: I would say 2 things. Hella Holo Customs and Awesomesauce Box.

That’s my kinda lady and yes, she is mystically fabulous and her polishes prove it. Mildred is amazing and has been a complete pleasure to get to know. I look forward to her next releases and hope you have enjoyed getting to know her too.