The Art Of Getting Glam Sustainably

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fashion but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Astrid Montalta, Founder & CEO of NOOD, located in New York, NY, USA.

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

NOOD is a brand born with inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation at its heart. We create products that empower women through style and beauty while staying in Mother Nature's good books. Our customer is the more sophisticated who is looking for a more elevated experience and cares about environmentally conscious products.

Tell us about yourself

I'm a first-generation Mexican-American, and I wanted to be an entrepreneur even before I understood what that word meant. I have always loved the process and challenge of creating something from start to finish. I was lucky to earn a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and went on to work in banking for several years after graduation. The idea for NOOD came from my own personal need and the lack of products in the market that solved the pain points I identified. I decided that I wanted to take my learnings from years of experience in banking and apply them to my own company and dreams.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We lost our investor when COVID hit, and it felt insurmountable at the time. However, we operated lean and smart and not only survived but have thrived since officially launching in March 2021.

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

Being a business owner is a lot of problem-solving, and it's usually from one problem to the next. This takes drive and tenacity, and a mental understanding that, as a business owner, the day when things run smoothly is probably not coming anytime soon.

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

It takes money to make money. You can bootstrap to get things going and have a proof of concept, but ultimately you need to invest in your business to grow it.
Be adaptable. Have a plan in place, but know that it probably changes dozens of times, and you need to be able to adapt to the challenges and changes that come your way.
Keep going. Tenacity is probably the most important skill that an entrepreneur needs because things will get hard, and there will be many crossroads where the easier choice is to give up. It's the ones that keep going that eventually will succeed.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://lovenood.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/welovenood
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/welovenood
Twitter: https://twitter.com/welovenood
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nudwear

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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