Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Leah Todd, co-founder and brand director of Aria Beauty, located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a female-founded and managed luxury infrared hair tool brand. We source, develop, and distribute the most stunning colorful hair tools for all hair types globally, and put them in gorgeous gift box style packaging.
Tell us about yourself
I’ve always been creative and loved design and strategic planning. I’m motivated by dreaming of huge goals in the future and figuring out the best and most enjoyable way to get to them. I have ideas all day long, and I love to work with people who are motivated and share long-term goals and visions as well. When I was hired by the company Relaxus products 10 years ago, myself and another woman decided to create our own professional hair styling tool brand because we thought… Why not us? Now the brand is sold in so many incredible retailers everywhere in North America, including Sephora, Nordstrom, fab fit fun, bed bath and beyond, and many more- and finer salons across North America.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I don’t own the Aria beauty brand, but I am the co-founder and manager, so everything Brand related falls on my shoulders, and I have a team of all women who help me manage all brand-related tasks. There have been a few big milestones hit, like partnering with certain giant customers who have been on a goal list for years and years, but honestly, my biggest accomplishment is working with a team that I truly love and consider my family. I would take a bullet for these women, and we laugh our heads off all day long, and when I think about the way that many people in the world live their lives and so many dislike their jobs, I feel so grateful!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
No matter how much time you budget, how organized you are, or how early you place the orders, it seems everything. I mean, everything will be delivered at the last minute and have some kind of obstacle that pops up in your way. Being able to maintain a calm head and not get stressed out during challenges that arise is (I feel) one of my strengths, but also something I constantly need to deal with in my job.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Make sure it’s something that you would do for free if you weren’t getting paid. Make sure you have partners that you enjoy and a team that you love to work with. And make sure you set long-term goals because if you don’t know where you’re going, how are you going to get there?
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I personally think Gen Z has a lot figured out. We should look to the younger people for not only great work-life balance but also how we can make the world a better place through inclusivity and eco movements.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.ariabeauty.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ariabeautyofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariabeauty/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AriaBeauty
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.