Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Mirsini, founder, and CEO of MĀSK Skincare, located in New York, NY, USA.

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

We're a clean and non-toxic skincare brand infused with Cannabinoids. Founded in 2019, MĀSK is a culmination of unearthing the truth at our core, embracing ourselves as we are in the moment, and finally celebrating the essence of our being when artifice is stripped away.

I struggled with acne from my early teens. From changing my diet to trying countless skincare brands, I discovered CBD oil through a holistic path I was taking in reclaiming my health. The more I worked to live my most vibrant life, the more I realized that self-acceptance was at the heart of my health—inside and out.

MĀSK was then founded to help support the journey to self-acceptance through the act of self-care. MĀSK seeks to nourish the skin and soothe the spirit with products created to comfort, nurture and encourage the look of healthy skin—in its most pure, authentic state.

Using only hand-picked, plant-derived ingredients and Full Spectrum CBD oil, MĀSK sheet masks and skincare products were developed to restore skin to balance, ease, and radiance. We were also the first company in the world to utilize Cannabinoids like CBG. CBN and CBC. These are just a plethora of plants that can be used for skin conditions.

As CBD oil calms the inflammation that can lead to skin distress, gentle yet powerful botanicals alleviate dryness, settle irritation, and encourage cell turnover for skin that looks clearer, calmer, deeply hydrated, and glowing with health. Our customers range from teenagers to people in their late 50's, as we have a range of formulas that can fit all these skin types. We believe in simplicity, but effectiveness, which is exactly the core of our audience.

Tell us about yourself

I was at a point in my life where I needed to make some changes within myself. I had been struggling with anxiety and finding my place in the world for a while, so I took up mediation and yoga and started reflecting more inwards on what was bothering me. I have never been a fan of pharmaceutical drugs, and my mentor recommended CBD Tinctures to me. I tried, and it completely changed my world. I noticed a huge difference in my everyday mood, sleep pattern, skin, and overall anxiety was so much better. I was raised in Europe, where Cannabis was very frond upon, so I always viewed this as a "gateway drug."

After discovering CBD, I started diving into the plant world and exploring the other cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system. My skin, and having a bad one, has played such a huge role in my life when it comes to my self-esteem and how I view myself. Especially since Instagram took off. You are expected to be perfect and beautiful at all times, and I was getting tired of it. This is where the idea of MĀSK came from, and I thought, "what do I have to lose." If I could get one single feedback from a person who got their skin improved by us, that was all I cared about. I didn't just want to create "another" skincare brand. I wanted to create a movement where the word beauty could have a different connotation than shallow. To feel comfortable in your own skin and accept yourself fully.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

To be able to work with amazing, passionate, and like-minded people. My team is truly genuine to the core, and I've always said that if I have my own business one day, I want to make one that's fun to work for. I had such bad experiences with my 9-5 workplaces that I vowed to change that. Another thing is also the feedback we get from our customers and clients. The results we've seen from our formulas and how people say it's helped their skin is probably the biggest accomplishment of them all.

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

Being true to yourself and allowing yourself to make mistakes. It's a lot of pressure starting a business, and it's far from glamourous. Even though it might look like that on social media. There are ups and downs, and it gets lonely. At the end of the day, it's completely worth it because I'd rather work 24/7 for myself than 9-5 for someone else.

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

  1. Gain more experience: The more experience you have, the better you and your business will be. I got a mentor while I was learning. Someone who could guide me and give me advice when I was stuck. I believe having a mentor is crucial if you want to grow in life.
  2. Learning by doing: Try, and fail. This is the only way! No one got successful overnight by knowing everything. Your business may be completely different in a year, and you might end up in a different place from where you started. Expand your mind and go with the flow.
  3. Attend as many events and networking opportunities as you can: You never know where a conversation can take you. I have met so many interesting people and gotten help from unexpected sources that I didn't even know that I needed. I try to broaden my connections by not only attending events in this particular industry but other ones as well.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I'm super excited to share that we just launched our Non-Toxic Cleanser! With only nine ingredients, we've managed to formulate something amazing that both hydrates and cleanses your skin properly.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://maskskincare.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maskskincarecom/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/māsk-skincare/

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.