Your Destination for CULT Beauty

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Joel Dart, president of Jacob & Sebastian, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

Jacob & Sebastian is a boutique apothecary that specializes in retailing a well-curated collection of skincare, bath, body, haircare, and select home goods. Our goal is to offer more than just well-marketed, beautiful bottles of lotions and potions, but to truly LEAD our customers to quality, honest products aimed to make a positive impact on their skin (and their lives!).

Tell us about yourself

With a background in art and design and a passion for all things skincare-related, Jacob & Sebastian was established in 2009 to bring something NEW to the retail game... a skincare store with a more clinical focus on personalized needs.

Personally, I was always daunted by the multitude of cosmetic and skincare brands on the market and always felt overly "sold" to, with little or no attention to individual concern. I thought, "Wouldn't it be nice if customers were treated more like patients, and products were offered based on real need and necessity?". I decided to launch using this model as a core value, and now 13 years later, I am lucky enough to see the same loyal customers return and, quite honestly, thank Jacob & Sebastian for being a positive part of their skincare journey.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner by far would be making a positive change (however small) in the lives of our customers. As superficial as the "industry" can be, to truly make a difference in the health and wellness of someone's skin can mean so much to them. I have become "friends" with so many customers over the years because they remain loyal to a company that puts honesty and integrity first. That really does fill my heart with so much happiness and contentment. I feel very lucky in this regard.

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

The hardest thing about being a business owner of any kind is that you can never really turn it OFF. There is anyways a plethora of things to do, things to improve, emails to write, etc... You really never do turn completely OFF.

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

Don't overly compare your business to others. Do what you do, and do it to the best of your abilities.
Treat your employees well, and pass along perks. Whenever brands or vendors offer products or incentives, I always make sure that employees get first dibs. Happy and valued employees are so incredibly important.
Turn your phone off at night. It is really easy to work 24/7, but it is absolutely imperative that one has proper downtime.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://jacobandsebastian.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacobandsebastian/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobandsebastian/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jacandseb

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.