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What inspired you to start Pro Blo, and how did you turn that inspiration into a successful business venture?
I was inspired by my broken hair brush. Back in 2014 there really was no big dream to start a business or build a brand. I simply loved a blow dry and would try to recreate my salon blow at home. My round brush broke so I would use the barrels in my bangs, and well, the rest is history! I became obsessed with turning my idea into a tangible product, and then consumed by constantly putting the product in front of people around the globe, as I was convinced that they would just ‘get it’ – and they really did!!
What challenges did you face while building Pro Blo, and how did you overcome them?
So many! But look, I am not mad about it. I stand by every decision I made, even the really ugly ones because I really did make every decision with the best intention and the best knowledge I had at the time.
In the beginning i said yes to everything, honestly, out of fear, if i said no the opportunity wouldn’t come around again. I launched Pro Blo into Selfridges just three months after launching the brand. This has a huge impact on your cash flow, but I was so fixated on getting the product out there, the reality of running a business, things like the cashflow didn’t cross my mind.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and I say to anyone, do it on your own timeline and when it is right for you and your business.
I also took on an industrial unit rental without bringing in a surveyor which came back to bite me three years later with a very expensive court case. The list goes on, but the reality is, I really was (and still am!) learning as I go!
As the founder of Pro Blo, what principles or values have been instrumental in your journey to success?
Resilience, hard work and knowing that no matter what I will make it. Behind the scenes are not always as glamorous as the instagram grid.My dad once told you, ‘you pay your rent every day!’ and he was so right.
I have always been calm in a crisis and if someone else can do it, then I want to give it a go, even back to teenage me. I sold crisps in school, undercut the tuk shop and made my money, and when I was banned from taking in my school bag I switched it to cutting fringes in the playground.
The mindset of a 14 year old me, was told no so she found another way around the problem, and really when you break it down that’s what running a business can feel like 99.9% of the time!
I am also a huge believer that we can all go out there and make our wildest dreams come true. I wanted to make a great life for myself, I wanted freedom, so that little dreamer in me always keeps me pushing!
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to start their own beauty business?
It takes time!! Don’t buy into this overnight success hype that instagram tells you, Building a business is incredibly hard work, it is also super exciting and rewarding. But the trenches are tough, and when people tell you it’s an emotional rollercoaster – listen to them!
From a practical standpoint I would say to really think about how you’re going to market your product/ service. You can have the best product but if you can’t put it in front of someone and make them stop, look and think ‘I NEED THIS’ then the product won’t sell.
How do you define success, and what motivates you to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation in the beauty industry with Pro Blo?
I am very data driven, so within the business our ‘success’ is clearly visible by numbers. But that isn’t what makes me jump out of bed in the morning. To me being able to wake up every day and build brands is a joy! I love the building process, having the idea, to creating a brand, to launching to market. It excites me and that feeling to me, is success!
Building a team around me who share the excitement, and seeing our vision turn into a tangible product used globally is such a buzz!
I guess, ultimately as cringe as it sounds, to me being happy and being able to make a great life with the people I love is the ultimate success, and the fact I can do that whilst chasing my dreams makes me incredibly fortunate!
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