Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lynn Power, Co-Founder, and CEO of MASAMI, located in Sheffield, MA, USA.

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

MASAMI is a clean, premium haircare with a Japanese ocean botanical that's all about weightless hydration. MASAMI works for virtually every hair type and texture -- our customers appreciate conscious beauty that's high performing (no sulfates, parabens, or phthalates).

Tell us about yourself

I spent 30 years in advertising and was running a large agency, J. Walter Thompson NY, but I wanted to build my own brand instead of someone else's. I met my co-founder, James, in 2018, and we launched MASAMI at New York Fashion Week in February 2020. I am inspired by all of the other amazing founders I meet every day, and I have built a community where we support each other.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It's not easy launching a brand, especially when you're small and don't have outside investors. I created the Conscious Beauty Collective to bring indie beauty brands together to be able to help each other grow and thrive, and it's been highly rewarding. Together, we can change the industry.

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

Managing cash flow as a small business continues to be a challenge. When you make physical goods, there is a huge cost associated with inventory. It's also an ongoing challenge to find new customers when you don't have a ton of marketing dollars to spend.

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

  1. Make sure you have a viable business idea. I've met a lot of entrepreneurs who fall in love with their business idea, but it's not scalable. Or it's already been done. Or maybe the founder doesn't truly understand the competitive landscape. It's important that you can create a real business.
  2. Define your brand values -- these will help guide you in so many ways, from what products you create to who you hire to what brands you partner with.
  3. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. People want to know who is behind the brand, so getting comfortable telling your story is helpful to get awareness for your business. You just have to find the medium that's comfortable for you, whether that's video, podcasts, blogs, etc.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.lovemasami.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovemasamihair
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovemasamihair/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lovemasamihair
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/masami-haircare/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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