Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kenny Lef, Owner of Royal Apple Berry, located in Sterling Heights, MI, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Royal Apple Berry is a small-batch purveyor of luxury skincare products that I like to refer to as usable art. Not only are our products aesthetically pleasing, but they're also made with simple skin-loving ingredients that are easy to pronounce and can be found in most home's food pantries or make-up stash. Our customers are individuals who are in search of good skincare made with high-quality ingredients.
Tell us about yourself
I am a creative; I've always been a creative my entire life, I've gone from being a seamstress, to a hair braider, to a book writer, but soap making and creating good skin care is what stole my heart. By day, I'm an Electrical Engineer, and I love technology and seeing how it shapes the world, but being an engineer has always been about helping others fulfill their dreams.
My dream is to create beautiful things, and for me, combining skincare and art just feels like I'm meant to do this for the rest of my life. I've always been a skincare enthusiast, but if you take a look at what's on most store shelves, you'll find that it's filled with ingredients that most of us can't pronounce or have never heard of.
This is why I started Royal Apple Berry. I want to offer artisan skincare that is not only beautiful to look at but is actually made with simple and good ingredients. Whenever I get an email, or a review from a customer, sharing how my products have made such a difference in their skin care regimen, it reconfirms that I'm doing what I'm meant to do.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
One of my biggest accomplishments as a business owner is having returning customers. It's wonderful to see all of the new faces and names, but it really solidifies why I'm doing what I do when my customers come back over and over again.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is not having the resources for marketing or knowing how to reach my audience. As a small business without millions to spend on ads, it really boils down to me putting my brand out there as much as I possibly can and telling everyone why Royal Apple Berry has something great to offer.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If it's a dream of yours to turn your passion into a business, just do it because not only do you get to do what you love, but you get to share it with the world.
- Just know going in, it's not an easy road, and most of us aren't going to make millions off the top, but if you work hard at taking care of your baby business, it has the potential to turn around and take care of you.
- Know exactly why you want to start or run a business. If you don't know the whys behind it, it's not worth doing.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.royalappleberry.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Royalappleberry/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royalappleberry/
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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