Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Natasha Kepekci, Founder of HSÜAN, located in Montréal, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
HSÜAN is a skincare company that combines herbalism and skincare. Our philosophy is that any outward manifestation on our skin is a sign that our bodies can use support! While most skincare companies only provide a topical solution, each HSÜAN set comes with a cream, a serum, and an ingestible powder that can be added to a smoothie or used to make a hot beverage. The powder targets the ailment internally, while the cream & serum are applied topically. Healing from the (inside) out. Our clients are mainly women aged 24-55.
We have three sets available:
- Our Glow Set is for people with generally clear skin but seeking an extra oomph! The powder is detoxifying and full of vitamins & minerals to give the skin a vital, healthy glow. The cream & serum contain herbs that nourish and hydrate the skin.
- The Golden Milk Set is for eczema, which is an inflammatory skin condition. The powder contains herbs that reduce inflammation internally, while the salve & serum contain supportive herbs that tackle inflammation topically while soothing the skin.
- The Moon Set provides the ultimate moon cycle support. The powder tackles issues caused by PMS by reducing cramping and boosting mood, while the cream & serum target hormonal acne.
Tell us about yourself
About three years ago, I discovered Traditional Chinese medicine, and my life changed forever. It describes imbalance as disconnection from nature around and within oneself. It emphasizes the integrity of the human body and how all the systems of the body work as a whole. Regular skincare companies felt to me as though they were missing this key element. I knew I had to create a product that encompassed both internal and external healing in order to bridge the gap. That’s how HSÜAN was born. I’m passionate about deep healing. Truly looking into WHY something is manifesting, not using a bandaid but healing from the root. Sharing that passion through HSÜAN is what motivates me every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is the sheer fact that I conceived an idea and brought it to life. It boggles my mind daily. How cool is it to dream up a concept and put together a team that will make it a reality? With their branding expertise, Monolith Agency took my concept and created the most stunning product possible.
Two years, and a ton of mishaps & mistakes later, I have the product in my hand. I have clients coming back to me, shocked at their results. I created something beautiful that works. Bringing it back to basics, that is undoubtedly my biggest accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing for me as a business owner is creating boundaries. I am so passionate about my work that it spews into every aspect of my life. I have difficulty carving out space. First thing in the morning, my brain is concocting ideas, and I just can’t wait to get to them. I’m really grateful to be this excited every day; however, I know that I need to set time aside to move slower and breathe. It’s easy to get swept up in all this creative energy.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Expect that things will go wrong. I went into this business thinking that things would be smooth, that everyone I would get on board would be hardworking and timely, and things would just FLOW. That isn’t necessarily the case, and that’s ok. Expect difficulty, expect orders to be wrong, and expect things to take longer than you’d like. This is all part of the process. Adjusting expectations and knowing that things may get tough will help you stay even-keeled emotionally.
- Think, but don’t think too much. If you feel the fire of inspiration inside of you, act. Just do it. Thinking, thinking, and thinking about it again just creates indecision, lack of forward motion, and fear. It’s important to think, plan and project but when it comes to the beginning stages, just DO.
- Have fun. As long as your entire livelihood is not reliant on your project coming to life (that can be stressful), try as best as you can to see it as an incredible creative project. When you NEED something to work, that can be sensed. Content can come out rushed, and weird decisions can be made. Try and have fun with it, take as much pressure off as possible, and create from a place of wholeness.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://hsuanglow.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088161536088
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hsuanglow/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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