Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cinder Trout, founder of Abature Beauty, LLC., located in Broomfield, CO, USA.

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

I founded a vitamin-based, 100% natural lip care brand called "Abature."
We make toxin-free, plant-based lip scrubs, serums, and lip balms. Like skincare, but for lips!

Abature is a professional skincare brand. We offer a spa and esthetician exclusive back bar program and a direct-to-consumer online store with a 2-step spa-at-home lip care kit.

Tell us about yourself

I'm an architect by education, but I was born an entrepreneur. I love the idea that the world is pliable, and we can shape it with our ideas. There was a fire on my family's farm in Colorado the day I was born; my father named me a "Cinder" from the fire. It's a story I've told over and over. I have always loved storytelling and having that beautiful one to tell about my birthday. However, the story of Abature is the most important one I'll tell. Abature is defined by Meriem Webster as "The path a deer makes as it passes through the woods." I found it in an old dictionary. We're forging paths in female leadership, ingredient safety, and sustainability. It's about taking care of ourselves and the earth. It's important to work I'm proud to do.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I would say there are two things I feel most accomplished in. Formulation and packaging. My formulas took six years to develop. I started in my kitchen and learned cosmetic chemistry over years of investigation, studying, and working with ingredients. I worked and researched and researched and researched... I failed a lot. The prized formula we manufacture is No. 508. I started counting three years in, which means I likely formulated close to 1000 different formulas. I was unwavering in my pursuit of a safe, plant-based formula that worked. It not only works, but it's also groundbreaking. There's nothing in the industry that has better efficacy than my lip products. Apart from designing our packaging, I also sourced everything from ethical suppliers and renewable natural resources. Sustainability is at the core of what we do, which is why our products are packaged 100% plastic-free.

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

Wearing a lot of different hats. Changing between different tasks is daunting some days. I go from formulating in the lab to a packaging design and supply chain challenge, with a sidebar of fulfillment and sales tax compliance! It's truly a roller coaster ride, but never boring!

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

  1. Be patient; good things take time.
  2. Don't panic; pivot! Sometimes the best things come out of a challenge or roadblock. Find a way around it, be creative, take deep breaths.
  3. When you're discouraged and tired, just rest a little, don't quit.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I'm very proud that my daughter, Tori, is a huge part of my business and helped shape the sustainability platform we firmly stand upon. If you have children, involve them in your business. Kids are intuitive, and they learn fast, don't underestimate how contributive they can be.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://abature.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abaturelipbalm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abature_official/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinder-trout-1780428/

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.