Shasta Fontaine and her daughter, Aria Dior, the young founder and creative inspiration behind Colors by Aria joins Enterprise Radio.
Listen to host Eric Dye & guests Shasta Fontaine & Aria Dior discuss the following:
- Aria was only five years old when she decided she wanted to create her own beauty brand. Shasta, when did you realize this was more than just a five-year-old’s idea?
- Aria, you actually help choose names, products, scents and ideas for Colors by Aria. Tell us about some of your products and how you came up with their names.
- Shasta, the beauty industry is extremely competitive. What have you learned about creating a beauty brand that has a story and identity people can connect with, rather than simply putting another product on the market?
- Aria, you have some very big dreams for Colors by Aria. When you imagine your company in the future, what do you see?
- Shasta, what advice would you give someone who has an idea for a beauty product or beauty brand but doesn’t know how to turn that idea into an actual business? Or what advice would you give someone whose child has amazing ideas like Aria and how to differentiate between a child’s imagination or an idea you can bring into fruition?
Colors by Aria began with a simple moment between a mother and daughter. While shopping with her mother, Shasta, five-year-old Aria Dior asked for makeup. When Shasta told her she was too young, Aria had an unexpected response: she would create her own. Instead of dismissing the idea as something a five-year-old would soon forget, Shasta listened. Aria continued talking about the products she wanted to create, including lip products, eyeshadow and more. Her ideas began turning into an actual beauty brand, with Aria participating in creative decisions ranging from product concepts to names, scents and packaging.
Several products even have personal stories behind their names. Ari Heart was inspired by Aria herself and her nickname. It’s a color changing lip oil based on lip temperature that matches your natural tone so it appears different and unique on everyone. Hara Melon, a watermelon-flavored lip oil, was named after her sister Sahara, while Mary Berry, a strawberry-flavored lip oil, was named after Aria’s godmother. Aria also drew inspiration for Fluffy Icing Body Butter from her brother Jacob, choosing a baby-powder scent because she wanted skin to feel “as soft as a baby’s bottom.”
Colors by Aria officially launched in May 2026 with professionally manufactured beauty products. The collection includes scented and color changing lip oils, the Shades of Aria eyeshadow palette and Fluffy Icing Body Butter.
Aria remains involved in the business and loves meeting customers, helping with orders and sharing her ideas for what the brand should create next.
For Shasta, one of the biggest lessons from the experience has been the importance of listening when children express unusually strong interests or ideas. What could easily have been dismissed as a five-year-old asking for makeup instead became an opportunity to teach Aria about creativity, entrepreneurship, responsibility and believing in her ideas.
At the center of Colors by Aria is a simple message: dreams have no age limit.
Website: https://colorsbyaria.com
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColorsbyAria
Instagram: @colors.by.aria
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colorsbyaria
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