Now I have a second chance for this makeup brand. So, I’m excited about just launching it and showing people how I’ve changed. Em is going to be an introduction of my evolution. Because I’ve been evolving since I was that 15-year-old on Xanga. I’m changing, and I want to show people that it’s okay to change and to grow. So many people want to stay the same forever. The only constant in life is change. We need to embrace it. Most importantly, I wanted to make this brand for my viewers. They’ve been supporting me for over 10 years. This is really for them. That’s why the price point is affordable. The eyeliner is $15. We made sure that everything is made according to the standard of art pens. Everything is just easy, effortless, affordable and intuitive.

Everybody needs to be in a good place if you want to create something beautiful. I wasn’t. When Em Cosmetics, launched with L’Oréal, flopped, I was trolled so hard online. I had Reddit forums dedicated to hating on it. I was bullied. I hate using that word because everyone is bullied, but I was digitally bullied. And I never argued with anyone, even if they said something that was not right — like people were saying that my previous formulations were really cheap. I could have said a lot of things, but the thing about the internet is that you cannot have a legitimate arguement with someone online and win.

A lot of them are people who choose to misunderstand you. So if they choose to misunderstand you, you already lost and there’s no use trying to convince them otherwise. I tried a few times, but instead of focusing my attention on the negative people, I’d rather just focus on the positive people who have something positive to say. You can distinguish the difference between someone who is being emotional and reactive and someone who just wants to be heard — they’re willing to have an intellectual conversation with you. That’s what I want to tell people — don’t even waste your time trying to convince negative people — they’re not going to be convinced. The best way to convince anyone is to show them through actions. Pretty words can say so much, but it’s really action that silences everyone.

When I was younger, I was really naive. I came from a small town. I didn’t know anything about the business world. I went to art school and I was studying medicine. You can’t trust everyone you meet right off the bat. Even if they seem genuine, like they want to help you. You have to have a strong sense of discernment. You have to listen to and use your intuition. Just listen to that gut. If you feel like your gut is telling you this person seems a little off or this deal seems kinda sketchy, listen to that intuition and lawyer up. Always lawyer up. Before even getting a manager, get a lawyer.

But I made it out. I am not gone, guys. I’m stronger than ever. We all go through this. It’s like the hero’s journey. It’s like The Lion King — Simba went through this, I went through this. You rise, you fall, and then you rise even higher. I grew up watching Sailor Moon, so I wanted to be that hero. I realize I’m not a hero, I’m just a girl. I’m just a girl who wants the best for the world — just like everyone else.

As told to Teen Vogue.

Related: Want To Be the Next YouTube Star? Michelle Phan Shares Her Best Advice