Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Becky Sturm, founder of StormSister Spatique, located in Saint Paul, MN, USA.

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

StormSister Spatique is an online beauty boutique owned by a former hairdresser, esthetician, and spa owner who literally grew up in the spa industry! Features, an evolving catalog of my favorite hair, skin, and body care products!

Tell us about yourself

My grandmother and mother were both hairdressers. My earliest memories are of playing "beauty shop" with my sister in our grandmother's salon. I can still remember the smell of her beauty shop! When I actually finished school, I had this incredible pull toward the retail side of the beauty industry - the lotions, potions, and serums. I took a deep dive down that rabbit hole and learned early on what I didn't want to put on my body or what I didn't want my clients using on theirs.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

After 30 years in the salon and spa industry, starting my own company, and developing some of my own products, I now work with other entrepreneurs to bring their products to market. I'm not sure which of those is my "biggest" accomplishment because I believe I have so much more to do!

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

Owning a business through two major financial disruptions - the 2008 financial crisis and now COVID, I would say the hardest thing would be just staying in business! Reassess what is working, what isn't, and adjust accordingly.

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

  1. Have enough money to keep your business running for two years as if you're not going to make a penny. (This is the BIGGEST mistake I see with new businesses).
  2. If your business is a product to bring to market - you may be awesome with the development of that product, but you are probably not the best person to be selling it. Hire someone that is great at sales. You can't afford not to. (See #1).
  3. Do it! There is nothing more personally gratifying or rewarding. Shoulda, woulda, coulda is a sad legacy.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Beauty - it's not just a job, it's an adventure!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.stormsister.biz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stormsisterspatiqueshop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stormsisterspatique/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stormsister
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stormsisterspatique/

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.