Get the Swoop - By a Girl

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kara Harshbarger, founder, and CEO of By a Girl, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

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

I develop products that don't already exist in the marketplace. The development of the product and figuring out how to make it work with an engineer or a chemist is my favorite part! Typically, I launch that business, grow it enough to prove there is demand, then sell it to a larger company. Most recently, I developed a newly designed eyelash curler, and I am growing that business.

Tell us about yourself

I was working in the film business as a writer and director. I was frustrated by how many people had to sign off on a project in order for it to move forward and how often your story changed so drastically along the way that it no longer resembled your original idea. During one of those frustrating periods, a friend suggested we invent a solution for long hems. I just couldn't imagine there being any magic in that, and running a business felt sterile to me. One day, with another writing project stalled, I randomly googled "how do I make a prototype." I was off and running from there! I feel so lucky that I am able to create something that is 100% my vision. I think of the idea as a Rubik's cube, and I love the process of figuring out how it needs to work. That is what motivates me each day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I developed an anti-aging hand care line with a chemist. My goal was to get on QVC. One of their biggest skincare brokers told me there was no way they were going to take it, but a meeting with their beauty buyers would be a good learning experience. After hanging up and bursting into tears, I pulled myself together. Not only did I sell it to the QVC buyers in that meeting, but I sold out of my product in the first 5 minutes of my on-air debut.

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

Not all stories work out as well as my QVC story. The hardest thing is to keep working, keep pushing, keep dedicating yourself again and again because the bleak times go hand in hand with the victories.

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

I think it is easier than ever to start and grow a business (not to say it's easy, because it's not!). For example, I developed and launched my first product before you could shoot product photography with your iPhone and before Shopify, Canva, and social marketing platforms! User-friendly platforms combined with free teachings by industry experts online put all the information at your fingertips. So then the real issue becomes a mindset. Starting and growing a business is A LOT to bite off, and there are many frustrations and pivoting. Knowing that and taking the one step a day that moves the needle is everything. I advise writing down the one thing that you did every day that really moves the needle so that by the end of a week, you aren't just looking at how high the mountain is. You are also looking at the progress you've made and the fact that you are in a different place than you were on Monday.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

It's easy to think other people have some sort of magic sauce, but they don't. Everyone gets frustrated and feels defeated. It's the people that work every day to move the needle (even just a little bit!) despite those frustrations that get where they want to go.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://theccurl.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theccurl/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/theccurl/
https://www.instagram.com/karabharshbarger/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-harshbarger-8406782a/

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.