Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Angela Hubbard, founder, and CEO of Angie Watts, LLC., located in Rolesville, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a certified vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand (certified by Leaping Bunny Program & PETA), with ingredients formulated to nourish, hydrate, and promote healthy skin through the natural healing properties of plants. We offer a wide array of toxin-free and palm oil-free face, body, beard, and eczema products. Our customers are individuals between the ages of 25-55 who are interested in natural, organic, cruelty-free, chemical-free, and plant-based skincare products. Our products are 100% naturally derived from the seed, nut, kernel, or fruit of various plant species. Our products are safe and clean enough to consume; however, they are not very tasty, so we wouldn't recommend eating the products :)
Tell us about yourself
With a love for research and an unfortunate layoff off from my corporate job in 2015, I had an "ah-ha moment" to create a natural, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare collection right out of my kitchen. Exactly 15 years prior to the exit from my corporate position, I battled with my daughter's eczema issues. I set out to find plant-based ingredients that would alleviate the irritating symptoms of her eczema, remedies free of alcohol, steroids, and free of ingredients shown or suspected to harm human health. My first all-natural, plant-based skincare product was Nam Eczema, and Extra Dry Skin Therapy was formulated in 2006 but not put on the market until 2015. I am truly thankful to those who have patronized my skincare products for 6 six years; they are a part of the success story of Angie Watts.
The gratification of overcoming an obstacle is my greatest motivator. Being laid off in 2015 (the obstacle) to successfully running a profitable business for six years definitely keeps me motivated to win.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
What makes me proud of my business and biggest accomplishment to date is that I literally started from a dollar and a dream to running a successful, scalable business for six years.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There are many hard things that come with being a business owner, but for me, the hardest has been navigating a work-life balance. I find it very difficult to turn work off; after six years in business, I still haven't mastered the skill. In addition, dealing with the unknowns. Every day there are new challenges and obstacles to deal with. Business is never predictable; no matter how prepared and organized I consider myself to be.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Work towards carving a niche for the business.
- Embrace your entrepreneurial journey. Don't allow rejection to get to you; keep going until you get the outcome you are seeking.
- Understand your market and your customer.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.angiewatts.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angiewattsdotcom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angiewattsbeauty/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/angiewattstweet
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiewattsllc/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
