Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Raeka Morar, founder, and CEO of Raeka Beauty, located in Austin, TX, USA.

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

Raeka Beauty is a holistic skincare brand rooted in South Asian heritage, making it more than just a clean, conscious, and cruelty-free beauty brand. Our consumers are diverse and span across all demographics. They are motivated by clean and high-performance ingredients that provide results.

Tell us about yourself

I noticed a lack of products that provide some sort of connection to the Indian culture. There was nothing out there that had ingredients that I was familiar with growing up in a South Asian household. Growing up, I had skin issues that many teens face. I would spend countless of dollars on prescribed products that would often solve one problem and give me back two more. I knew that the solution was to use remedies that have been tried and true throughout generations, ingredients that every Indian mother would tell you to use. That really motivated me to create a line that could provide those ingredients which are suited for everyone in a readily available form.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My whole entrepreneur journey has been interesting, and every day is a big accomplishment. One of my favorite moments that comes to mind is our first big showcasing in NYC, and I forgot to have sweet treats catered for the event. I had to run across the street in heels to the local grocery store and pick up a cart full of cookies. I was concerned we would look ridiculous being set up next to some high-profile brands that had much more intricate displays and perfect execution, but it turns out nobody even noticed. The cookies were happily finished off before the end of the night, and our setup was a success!

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

Startups are hard, and there are times you feel helpless and times you just want to quit. My friends and family continue to remind me that it's okay to slow down a little, and they push me to do my very best even when I can just simply take the easy road. I've learned to really embrace the beauty rituals from my childhood during times of self-care.

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

  1. Understand endless possibilities. You should be open to the ideas of getting creative. There are different ways of doing things, and learning new skills are important. With my company, I was able to innovate clean products using unique ingredients, especially from South Asia.
  2. Ask for Help. Sometimes you just don't know it all, and that's okay. Learn to accept help from others and also ask for help when needed. I didn't have a business background, and there were times when I had to reach out and get feedback or learn from someone else. It's really helped me grow my brand.
  3. Trust your gut. There will always be critics, but it's important to believe in your idea and go with it. When I started, I knew that not everyone agreed with my ideas, but I never once doubted myself. I later realized that my creativity and entrepreneurial skills had been an important aspect of my business acumen. My business would have never existed had I allowed negative criticism to dictate my actions.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://raekabeauty.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Raekabeauty/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raekabeauty/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaekaBeauty

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.