Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Disco, Co-Founder of Kitpak, located in New York, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the Co-Founder of Kitpak, and we've designed a modular organization system for Professional Makeup Artists.
Tell us about yourself
In my early days as a makeup artist, I only used the subway to get around from job to job. It's the fastest and most convenient way to travel unless you have to carry a 60-lb suitcase filled with makeup. The glass bottles and excess plastic packaging really add up when you have to carry enough shades and colors for any and all skin tones.
Over the years, I was able to condense and refine my kit, but it was still bulky, and packing it was always a game of Tetris. Fast forward to 2020, Covid made its way to the US and forced us into lockdown. This was when my partner and I got serious about the company. We had been talking about it for over a year, but this was the first time we actually had the time to get it to market. Now Kitpak is carried in 14 countries across 6 continents.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Actually, this last NYFW was tremendous. I did 6 shows, and 100% of the team knew of Kitpak, and about 75% of the team already had Kitpak in their kits. It was so amazing to meet these artists in person and hear about how our tools completely changed their kit. Being so widely accepted by my peers has been the highlight of starting Kitpak.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Having to change your "hat" several times a day. Kitpak is growing extremely fast, but we are still a small company which means on any given day, I'm working on several projects, each in different departments of the company. It can be hard to redirect your focus, but I've found that scheduling my days down to the minute has been helpful in navigating this.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure you are passionate about your business. There will always be days when you feel less motivated, but you have to push through and do the work. This is always easier if you are excited about what you are working on.
- Know your customer. This one seems obvious, but so many companies are out of touch with what their customer actually wants and needs. I have first-hand experience in the industry, so I am very aware of all the pain points we need to alleviate.
- Don't underestimate yourself. I have learned so many new skills through starting Kitpak that I never thought I would have. At the very least, TRY to do it yourself if you don't have the means to hire someone. You would be surprised at what comes with a little googling and practice.
For example, we do a ton of video content and need it edited constantly, but that comes at a high price. I decided to get on Youtube and see what I could learn about Adobe Premiere Pro. That first video took me 6 hours to get through, and looking back at it, the editing is cringy, haha. But now I've had months of practice, and I can edit a video in minutes. I also have a better understanding of this type of project and can apply that when we hire someone to do the editing for us.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thekitpak.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekitpak/
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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