Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lynn Power, Owner of MASAMI & Isle de Nature, located in Sheffield, MA, USA.

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

I have two businesses: MASAMI, clean premium haircare, and Isle de nature, a luxury bee-powered home fragrance. They share similar customers -- people who appreciate high-quality, high-performing products that are good for you and good for the environment.

Tell us about yourself

I spent 30 years in advertising and marketing and left in 2018 to become an entrepreneur. I love the brand-building process and love working with people who I enjoy and respect. I'm motivated all of the time by other clean beauty founders showing up every day and making it happen.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I just launched the Conscious Beauty Collective while going through chemo for breast cancer. It's a group of 32 indie beauty and wellness brands who have joined together to create a pop-up experience. We launched in San Francisco in April and are now moving to Natick Mall outside of Boston from 9/1-12/31.

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

Cash flow is a constant challenge, especially if you are bootstrapped and self-funded like we are. Digital marketing is also an ongoing challenge -- figuring out how to get positive ROIs isn't easy. But there are a lot of things you can do to market your business without spending a ton -- brand partnerships, podcasts, blogs, content.

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

  1. Make sure you have a viable and scalable business. Many founders fall in love with their idea without truly stress testing it to ensure other people like it as much as they do. Do your homework. Understand the market, the competition, and get some customer research.
  2. Go into your business, eyes wide open. Create a budget (and know that you will overspend). Be prepared for things to go wrong. And don't sweat it; it's part of being an entrepreneur.
  3. Find your tribe. Create a group of peers, friends, advisors, mentors, etc., who you can get honest advice from. You don't have to take it, but you need to have people around you who can keep it real.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

You're never too old to do what you love.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website:
https://www.lovemasami.com/
https://www.isledenature.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/lovemasamihair
https://www.facebook.com/isledenature/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lovemasamihair/
https://www.instagram.com/isledenature/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/lovemasamihair
https://twitter.com/isledenature

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-power-02b8904/

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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