Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and beauty but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lisa Estrella Yang, founder of Faceted Beauty®, located in Boston, MA, USA.

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

Faceted Beauty is an online beauty brand that specializes in reusable, customizable press on gel nails. Our at-home mani is reusable over 5X and up to 14 days each time. The majority of our customers are people who are between the ages of 25-35 with gender identity across the spectrum.

Tell us about yourself

Proudly queer, Southeast Asian, gender-fluid owned, at Faceted Beauty, we believe that beauty transcends a one-size-fits-all. Although I grew up juggling different roles at an early age, I rarely came across beauty ads that included people who looked like me or spoke my native language. Fast forward to today, and there is still much room for growth. Representation is an essential pillar to driving forward diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the nail care industry is no exception. Our reusable, customizable press on gel nails are made-to-order, created to not only fit our customers but also to move with them as they navigate their week(s). We are obsessed with creating a seamless, reusable press on gel manicure that can be easily applied at home, office, or even in a car.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

To this day, the biggest accomplishment is starting. I fondly reflect back to day one of Faceted Beauty's existence when its business registration was just approved, and we had our first customer order to fulfill. It is the most scary yet exhilarating feeling when you finally just go for your dreams, especially if you are one of the first people in your family to do it. Keep your eyes on the prize but also remind yourself how far you have come.

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

One of the hardest things is building your first team. Find a mentor or someone whom you admire who has experience building and managing a founding team -- it will save you plenty of hours and mistakes.

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

  1. Data does not lie, and your intuition does not either. You need both.
  2. Customers should always be your number one priority. Listen first, ask second, speak last.
  3. Imposter syndrome is more common than one would think. Find ways (and people whom you trust) to remind you of your shine.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.facetedbeauty.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefacetedbeauty
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facetedbeauty/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/facetedbeauty

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.