Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nechami Tenenbaum, founder, and CEO of Karmela Cosmetics, located in Southfield, MI, USA.

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

Karmela Cosmetics is a high-performance, natural cosmetics brand that focuses on products that compliment all skin tones while giving back to women's healing and empowerment. Our customers are women who believe in the benefits of clean beauty products, which have a social impact. We currently have a giving back program. We donate 10% of profits from each color collection to a different non-profit dedicated to a specific healing initiative for women, including eating disorders, endometriosis, breast cancer, and hair loss.

Tell us about yourself

One of my earliest childhood memories is standing in front of my mother's vanity as I experimented with different makeup looks. As a teenager, I was always the one my friends called for help regarding makeup and beauty advice. Post-college, during my time in makeup school, having grown up with an appreciation of natural products from my health-conscious mom, I realized that there was a need for high-end, natural cosmetics. Once I graduated with my MBA in Marketing, I launched my brand, Karmela Cosmetics.

I'm motivated each day to do what I do when I remember the lives we've impacted the change we've generated in the world through spreading awareness of different struggles women face every day. Another thing that motivates me is receiving messages of appreciation from women. Typically regarding how beautiful and confident they feel while wearing our products and often how our products are the only ones they can wear due to their sensitive skin.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is spreading awareness of diseases many people have not heard of yet affecting millions of women worldwide. Before I teamed up with the endometriosis foundation, I had never even heard of Endo. Turns out, one of my close friends has been diagnosed with Endo, and I never knew the name for her condition. 1 out of 10 women suffers from endometriosis, and unfortunately, many women have never even heard of this serious and debilitating condition. As I mentioned, we're trying to create awareness and change by utilizing our social media platforms, as well as our brand podcast, "We Are Women." It's so important to help women feel that they're not alone in whatever they're going through, as well as to know that there is an end in sight. Often, hearing other women's stories and what they have had to overcome can inspire other women who are currently going through these challenges to feel hopeful and gain the energy to continue to fight for their health and wellbeing.

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

I believe that the hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is the ups and downs and not knowing what each day will bring. As an entrepreneur, life is exciting, and often we thrive on the adrenaline of exciting and fresh experiences each day. At the same time, though, there are moments when this can be exhausting and maybe even draining. During those challenging moments, I encourage other business owners to take a step back, recharge their batteries, and return and approach the situation from a fresh and rejuvenated perspective when their energy returns.

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

  1. Focus on the big picture, on your end goal, and work backward from there. I knew that I wanted to help end mental health stigma and conditions affecting women, so based on that, I figured out the necessary steps I would have to take to get there. Our giving back program, speaking about these topics on social media, our sisterhood sponsorships program, and our podcast "We Are Women," where women share their truths and celebrate their victories. Each step that we take contributes to our larger goal. Keep in mind that it's also important to celebrate your small wins: each time that you overcome a challenge or reach the next step, celebrate it! Don't wait until you reach the final goal to appreciate and celebrate your small achievements. When you celebrate your small achievements or hit a small goal, it programs your brain for additional success for the future.
  2. Stay true to yourself and your values. When you act in alignment with what feels right to you, you'll see success. Don't give up or compromise your values for others' approval. At the end of the day, you only have one person to answer to, yourself.
  3. Don't let the small setbacks stop you. We all have setbacks and challenges that come up along the way. It's important to remember that these setbacks and challenges are learning experiences, and teach you what to do (or not to do) the next time around.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://karmelacosmetics.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karmelacosmetics
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karmelacosmetics/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nechami-tenenbaum-14904842/

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.

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