Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and beauty but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Zuly Matallana, CEO of TIARA, located in Mount Albert, ON, Canada.

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

Let's start with our Mission: A TIARA in every home! I reinvented the shower cap. I constantly style and blow-dry my curly hair making shower caps essential in my daily routine. Though it didn't take long to realize that disposable shower caps are not only ineffective, ruining my hairstyle, pinching my forehead, and leaving creases, but also extremely harmful to the planet. I interviewed nearly 500 women with different hair types, and they all agreed. Shower caps are supposed to protect our style and save us time, but in reality, they are not big enough, always leak through, and leave ugly creases on our foreheads.

I knew I could solve this everyday problem for women all around the world. I created a unique and comfortable terry-lined design that is fully waterproof, reversible for hair treatments, completely leakproof, and long-lasting. Our first product is making history as we are answering the urgent call to reduce single-use plastic. With a utility patented design, our shower caps are like no others in the market.

Quality and functionality are at the heart of everything we do. We recently launched our second product, the Night Cap, which sold out within 30 minutes after the launch. Due to our incredible success, we are currently working on creating self-care products that promote confidence and offer a natural option for women around the globe.

"We create purposeful, quality products that promote confidence and beauty for women around the globe. We are inspired by the numerous women who believe in our ability to create change and do something better for our lives and the planet. At TIARA we celebrate the individuality and diversity of all!"

Tell us about yourself

By 2017, Zuly Matallana accomplished a lifetime’s worth of achievements. Before even starting her first business, Zuly demonstrated the qualities that would eventually define her as an entrepreneur: strong, driven, energetic, caring, and passionate.

Zuly began her career in Colombia, working as a community director for a social organization. It was here she discovered the joy of helping others and decided no matter where her career took her, she’d always find a way to improve the lives of others.

When Zuly’s community work in Colombia began to put her life in danger, she made the decision to move to Canada in 2004. As she began to establish a life in Canada, she drew on her experiences as a new immigrant. She wrote an e-book to answer the common questions that many new immigrants have.

After settling into a new country, Zuly established a flourishing career developing business for software, banking, and consulting companies. It’s her unique vision that’s inspired her to create her own path and become the founder of two companies. Her first company Mavicol offers high-quality raw materials that represent savings to Fortune 500 construction companies. Then, she had a vision and became inspired. Zuly found a problem and decided to solve it for all women like her, who live on the go, and care about their hair, their skin, and the planet.

She recognized the need for a product that helps women solve common pain points in their busy lives and create sustainability in a space that’s traditionally been dominated by single-use plastics. Her strong sense of responsibility for the planet meant that no matter what she created, it had to make the world a cleaner, healthier place. (Zuly is always the first to point out, “There is no planet B!”) Zuly has been recognized internationally for her innovation and achievements. Most recently, the Mayor of Vaughan applauded Zuly for her willingness to inspire the next generation of leaders and embrace female empowerment in the workplace. Zuly always draws on her passions to overcome obstacles and believes it’s that fire within her that makes all of her accomplishments possible. In life and in business, Zuly really believes in the power of intent and is certain the universe will help us achieve our goals.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is to inspire my son. I am a single mom, and I see the impact I am creating in his life. He is my greatest accomplishment. I talk to him about daily challenges and how I deal with some situations. I also ask him for feedback. I think it is important to involve your kids and make them accountable for their actions, so they learn that every decision is quite important and will shape the outcomes for your business or your life.

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

Being an entrepreneur is not easy. I have started a company from the ground up. My company has a place in the game. I feel really proud; however, COVID changed everything at once for many of us. Dealing with COVID has been the hardest thing I have ever faced. That being said, We are getting ready to launch our new natural deodorant, and we are really excited about it. There are so many women out there that have looked for a natural deodorant that works but haven't found one. We are excited to reach our network, and I know they are going to be really pleased with our product.

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

  1. The first and most important tip is to be part of an entrepreneurial network. Being an entrepreneur means that you need to spend money on services. Some of those services (Marketing, PR, etc.) will reach out to changing amounts that you are not sure if are fair. Having a network will help you understand if what those companies are offering is fair.
  2. Negotiate: Do not pay the full price. I believe there is always a space for negotiation.
  3. Invest in the image of your company: Having a strong image will help your company grow faster.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Just follow your passion and have fun in the process. It is a journey.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://shopmytiara.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopmytiara
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopmytiara/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmytiara
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopmytiara/

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.