Climatic Skincare ™ - TOPI
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Quentin Smith, founder of TOPI, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Topi is a niche luxury skincare brand designed for how we live - frequent travel, daily commutes, exposure to indoor and outdoor environments, artificial temperature control screens, sunlight, and shifting weather patterns, all on a daily basis.
Known as Climatic Skincare™, Topi is a groundbreaking new way to supplement individual skincare regimens according to climate. Made with movement in mind, the Topi climate-specific skin serums have been formulated to fortify and optimize skin health in different environmental conditions.
Our customers are smart. They prioritize ingredients, shun gimmicks, and believe in real skincare. They're travelers, informed, progressive, conscientious about global issues, and they respect culture. They appreciate aesthetics and are related to these aspects of the Topi brand.
Tell us about yourself
My global travels are the biggest inspiration. As a creative director working globally, I often find myself in multiple cities on multiple continents in the span of days. I started to notice that my skin regimen differed based on the climate conditions of my location. From there, the concept of Climatic Skincare™ was born. I’ve always been interested in natural botanicals, and I wanted to find more advanced ways of using them in my skin health routine that made sense for my international lifestyle, my minimal approach to skincare, and how I interact with my environment on a day-to-day basis.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have been able to grow an inclusive global beauty brand from the ground up without compromising my vision. Remaining niche by intention, Topi has managed to create a global community and launch on three continents. I'm incredibly proud of the international cadre of support around Topi. They get it. They understand my vision and have rallied behind the brand, and for that, I am beyond grateful.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As both a brand founder and creative director, maintaining a healthy work/life/creative balance has been one of my biggest personal challenges. As a solopreneur, you are responsible for not only your own needs but also your team and the day-to-day requirements of the business itself. As a creative director, it's your job to remain receptive, observant, discerning, and imaginative, which requires a different hat. Simultaneously focusing on detail and being aware of the bigger picture sometimes feels like an impossible task, but the trick is to adapt and prioritize. To thrive in my many professional roles, I have embraced a unique workflow that keeps me competitive and protects my creative energy and intuition.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a plan. That will be your roadmap on this journey.
- Choose your team wisely. They will be your support system in more ways than one, so make sure they have the right intentions and respect for your vision.
- Trust the process. Learn from the losses and take time to celebrate the small wins along the way.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://topibotanic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topibotanic/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quentin-smith-704b7a21b/
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.