Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skin care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hillary Tijerina, Founder of Merigold, located in Denver, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Merigold offers organic seasonal monthly facial masks. But we are more than just skincare. Merigold exists to be an avenue to help reclaim our moments from the endless to-dos and distractions. It is nourishing our skin, bodies, and souls with quality ingredients on and in our bodies and taking up the space for ourselves to emerge truly refreshed.
We are a community, reclaiming our natural beauty and the space to breathe and be present with ourselves.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Hillary, and I started Merigold to empower women to pause. As a nurse, mother, wife, natural food chef, and nutritionist, I've seen firsthand the toll constant striving takes on the body—it's true, the body does keep the score.
I didn't want my daughters to grow up thinking they needed to participate in the ongoing hustle to be worthy. I knew I needed to be the example. I wanted to bridge the beauty world to value our inner beauty and being. My daughters motivate me to break old unhealthy patterns of being more aware of how others are doing vs. how I am doing. Merigold exists to bring a moment of pause - a slight break in the day- to connect with yourself. If we have more people aware of themselves - their feelings and needs - I think the world will be more kind and beautiful.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Am I allowed to say- starting a business?!? Haha, Merigold took a huge leap for me. I left my consistent and known job at the hospitals to start Merigold, which has been a huge learning curve! I am so proud of our products and mission, and ultimately adore our community!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
That would be all of the unknowns, which sounds crazy. But when you make all the decisions, it can be hard to make decisions based on a "thought, theory, article you read, etc." and not know if it will land how you had hoped. I honestly think that is just something that is hard as a human - but when you own a business, your decisions feel more public- more vulnerable- and that can be scary.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First, I would say if you feel overwhelmed - you are not alone. Everyone is figuring it out as they go too. Just take one step at a time. Don't be fooled into believing that someone has the magic formula- they don't. Second, I would say live by Brene Brown's "clear is kind, unclear is unkind" rule. And last, and maybe ironically- I would say learn how to create moments of pause. People will always want or need something from you, and learning to pause- sit with decisions, do the research, set your own pace- has been vital for me and my sanity.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://merigold.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merigold.co/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3QOcmtC
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.
