The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Starting a business from scratch while Catherine was working full time and Bec was navigating pregnancy and then new motherhood definitely stretched us at times.
Some of the biggest challenges:
• learning the technical side of formulation and compliance
• navigating packaging and sustainability choices
• building a website but with the help of an amazing website designer
• and honestly, overcoming self-doubt – there are moments where everything feels overwhelming.
But each challenge has taught us something new. We’ve become more resilient, more resourceful and more confident in our vision.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Pros:
• flexibility
• creativity
• purpose-driven work
• building something meaningful together as a mum-daughter team
• seeing customers genuinely helped by our products
Cons:
The pros definitely outweigh the cons but if we are honest:
• wearing every hat (marketing, admin, finance, packing orders!), though we delegate really well and both have our individual strengths in each area
• uncertainty
• and sometimes feeling like you’re figuring everything out as you go
Hopes and dreams: What next?
We’re still at the beginning, which is super exciting. Our customers are the centre of everything we do, and we really listen to them – the feedback we get from them inspires us. We have some exciting products in the pipeline but will grow our core range slowly and intentionally. We are developing our blog and website to be more than a store but to be a place to connect with our customers. We might even get out on the road and have a few pop-up stores in the mix to really meet our customers and allow them to sample our beautiful skincare range.
Visit the N & O Skincare website to find out more, and connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.
