Greetings, readers. 

I maintain a blog about the trials of startup ownership and the myriad things that can falter, yet a few events align perfectly, leading to extraordinary outcomes. Staying optimistic, consistent, and persistent propels you forward. Sometimes, you encounter signs that encourage you to persevere and not surrender. I recently experienced this. 

My journey as an entrepreneur is no different from others. Amidst the current tough economic climate and being a woman of color securing funding for my venture has been unsuccessful. Consequently, I’ve resorted to bootstrapping. Despite frugality, a significant portion of my savings has gone into product development and testing. My inaugural product, a skincare item, will “soon” become a reality, with plans to expand into pharmaceuticals. This venture is thrillingly new to me: creating a brand and introducing a cosmetic skincare product. As a cosmetics enthusiast who often visits Sephora, these excursions have become more frequent with my pre-teen daughter. Although we don’t make a purchase every time, the vibrant energy and joy of being amidst colorful products are uplifting. On a recent visit with my daughter, she gestured towards an empty aisle with a “coming soon” sign and exclaimed, “Mom, that’s for you,” prompting laughter from us both. 

Perhaps it’s an omen that my product’s debut is imminent, and one day, it’ll grace Sephora’s shelves. I share this hopeful sentiment with you.