Never stop learning.

As I was saying… (a quasi-smooth bridge from a post a month ago)… I began the Habelo journey by identifying a meaningful problem to solve. After I defined the problem and studied the problem (including how broadly shared the problem was), what did I actually do next?

I began the never-ending process of learning this new-to-me space. What’s great is, I love it. I love it all. I love learning and I (completely) love this space. This part doesn’t feel like “work” at all.

How I’ve been learning.

I started by digging deep into “How to create a beauty product” to discover industry publications, to find as many white papers as I could, and to evaluate the market and industry landscape, including the identification of the people/players that contribute to building and/or selling the brands and products that I admire most.

Industry publications. There are several outstanding resources that I reference regularly. Beyond great articles, these publications produce insightful webinars, white papers, and abundant opportunities to learn from other Founders who have successfully walked this path. My main go-to’s:

Beauty Independent

Beauty Matter

Business of Fashion

White papers and case studies… a couple of particularly helpful ones:

McKinsey: The Beauty Market in 2023 (May 2023)

Business of Fashion: Case Study | How to Build an Independent Beauty Brand (October 2022)

Podcasts:

Founded Beauty with Akash Mehta

The Nopalera Podcast with Sandra Velasquez

Work Party from Create and Cultivate (not specifically about Beauty, but for women entrepreneurs)

Actively building my network.

While my background is diverse, it was not rich in the Beauty manufacturing space. I didn’t have a ‘ready’ industry network to leverage, but I did and do have a broad, valuable and connected network from my past experiences in Brand, Strategy, Marketing and Retail. With that, I have a lot to work with, so I invest significant time building and expanding my network through LinkedIn and requesting introductions from my existing contacts.

I also look to see “how” (and through whom) I am connected to various beauty industry leaders and voices that I admire and seek ways to connect and meet them.

While it takes an investment of time, there’s massive value in conversation. I ask people who I admire for advice, input, feedback and introductions, and I get it all. People have been very generous with their interest and openness to help, especially in the process of raising capital. For every person I meet, I reliably walk away with a couple of new names of people to talk with.

And this is just the beginning. As with everything, it really doesn’t end. And the real fun (learning) begins once this launches.

You already know this, but never stop learning.

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”
-Albert Einstein

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WFC