Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in hair and skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Laura Armstrong, founder of Dirty Blonde, an all-natural custom dry shampoo and skincare line located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Dirty Blonde Dry Shampoo is a natural vegan formula that absorbs oil. It will leave your roots looking clean and feeling refreshed without having to wash your hair. It's the only Dry Shampoo that allows you to choose your shade and scent for a completely personalized experience.

What's great about Dirty Blonde is that it appeals to a wide range of women who are looking to save some time in their day and use products that are all-natural and free of harsh soaps and chemicals.

Tell us about yourself

What sparked my creation of Dirty Blonde was having to wash my hair when traveling. Packing all the needed products and tools to bring my wet hair to life takes up so much space in my bag! I knew I needed to find an alternative.

But when looking at the market, the majority of dry shampoos were white in color. Where was the Dry Shampoo for Dirty Blondes? Brunettes? Redheads? Worst of all, why was the application process so awful?

After that, Dirty Blonde Dry Shampoo was born. It is a completely personalized experience where you can choose your shade, choose your scent, and apply it will ease with an application brush and container that can fit right in your makeup bag. Since then, I have expanded my line to include skincare products with simple, all-natural ingredients.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As an entrepreneur, I often turn to podcasts to stay motivated. One I have loved for a long time is 'Side Hustle School'. They featured my story in my first year of business, and it really solidified that what I was trying to accomplish was a worthwhile endeavor.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

People often think owning a business will give you a sense of freedom since you don't get a 9-5 job. Being your own boss and calling your own shots is definitely empowering, but there is a ton of work and risk involved. You will have to work harder than ever before and trust your gut even when it doesn't seem to be always going your way.

What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. When you have a business idea and want to run it past someone, make sure you talk to someone with an entrepreneurial mindset and experience in starting their own thing. Too often, people pitch their ideas to friends and family who aren't a part of that world. They get negative or confusing feedback which can cause them to lose confidence in their idea and never execute.
  2. Don't try to do everything yourself and attempt to master every skill needed to run a business. Hire where you can to offload the work where you're not the strongest (such as designing a logo or building a website) to ensure you are putting your best foot forward.
  3. Don't feel like you have to have made a massive impact in your first 6-months to 1-year in business. There is a lot of pressure right now in 'hustle culture' telling us to move at hyperspeed, or we won't be successful. This mindset can be toxic and lead to burnout.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Listen to your customers and try to provide the best brand experience possible, from their first visit to your website to the package that arrives on their doorstep. A strong brand persona and a positive experience will turn a one-time customer into a life-long advocate for your brand.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.dirtyblonde.ca

Instagram: @dirty_blonde_to

Facebook: @DirtyBlondeTO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraarmstrong/

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.