Your Name: Satya Ishaani Pandey
Business Name: Glam Girl Naturals Cosmetics, a natural mineral makeup line
Type of Business: E-Commerce/Health & Beauty
Business Location: New York, New York, United States
Reason for starting
I used to use the big brands of makeup for years. Then my clear skin(even in my teen years) started to break out really bad, and even left some scars. I started to look into what ingredients were in the makeup, and was shocked to find so many chemicals and preservatives. Further research showed me that these very chemicals were irritants that caused many side-effects and were potentially harmful and dangerous, thereby being the cause of even disease, allergic reactions, depression, acne, lethargy, infertility, and on and on went the list. I knew there had to be better. But I just couldn’t seem to find that quality, that luxury glamorous feel that you normally get with big brand cosmetics. After searching high and low, I decided I couldn’t find the right combination of healthy, natural ingredients in cosmetics(that were true to their ingredients), and still had the glamorous, high-fashion, quality feel that I was accustomed to. And this led to the birth of Glam Girl Naturals Cosmetics. Giving you the best mineral makeup line, that is gluten-free makeup- cruelty-free makeup-and vegan mattered most to us! Created in NYC, it has created quite the buzz already amongst those who want more from their makeup. What is all the hoo-haa about? It is the only all natural, plant and mineral-based, complete cosmetic line, that is gluten-free, vegan, and cruelty free. Not only that, it is a high-quality, fashionable, and couture cosmetic that is designed to give you a luxurious, glamorous experience! Glam Girl Naturals Cosmetics have amazing healing properties that actually heal and improve skin quality over time. Everything is gluten-free which is so important to the women and make-up wearers out there who have an allergy to wheat or are living gluten-free. It’s all-natural, and great for even sensitive and/or acne-prone skin, combination skin, dry skin, and basically for everyone. Everything is made here in the US, and our products are hand-crafted with the utmost care. I am proud to help women enhance their beauty using a better, safer, healthier alternative to their normally chemical-filled makeup!
How do you define success?
Success is different for different people. For me, doing what you love, what you are passionate about, and helping others is success. I feel I can, and am doing all three with Glam Girl Naturals Cosmetics. I love makeup, I love fashion, I love all things natural and healthy, and I am passionate in my beliefs on being wise in the choices that we make- especially when it goes in and on our bodies. Whether it is food, lotions and shampoos, or makeup, I feel it is so important to open our eyes and be aware, and I am grateful that Glam Girl Naturals Cosmetics gives me a platform to help other women see that there is better, and that they can have better. I also love getting letters and pictures from women who had the sensitive skin, or who are gluten free and had to stop using makeup, but now they can with Glam Girl Naturals Cosmetics. This, to me, is success. And I hope to help women worldwide.
Biggest Success
The launch of my line July 2012 was my biggest success. It took a lot of planning, formulating, decisions, creative brainstorming, and a lot of hard work. Bringing the final product to the world, and doing it on my own, has been a great feeling. I feel many around me have also been inspired, because I took that BIG leap of faith and just did it. I left my 9-5 job of NY Real Estate and Pharmaceutical Sales, and fully devoted myself to all things Glam Girl Naturals Cosmetics. It has been a great learning process, and a great experience.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
My top challenge has been to establish some ground and getting noticed in the beauty world. Marketing is a lot more challenging than I anticipated, but it’s also fun. I have learned a lot with marketing and social media, online advertising, local advertising, media marketing, door to door marketing- all are important in getting your product known.
Who is your most important role model?
My most important role model has been my mother, and Oprah! My mother has taught me to be independent, self-reliant, and that if I put my mind to it, I could do it. Oprah- who doesn’t love her?! She has been inspiring to me for the longest time, and her belief in women, and her wisdom has really helped me in my journey.