In the world of beauty, there are those who not only possess a deep passion for their craft but also have the vision and determination to turn their dreams into reality. I had the pleasure of interviewing Kristina the owner of IKA Beauty, to just chat about IKA over some coffee. We sat down and got to talking about her personal journey, the inspiration behind IKA BEAUTY, and the challenges she overcame to create a brand that celebrates exceptional lip products while empowering individuals to embrace their unique beauty.
Interviewer: "What sets IKA Beauty apart from other brands?"
Kristina: "I think that our passionate focus on lip products is what sets us apart. We've chosen to specialize exclusively in lipsticks and lip care, so we can truly perfect the art of lip color. We also focus on more than just color, our products offer skincare benefits, like hydrating, your delicate lip skin. We have strict testing processes for only the best ingredients, something that was instilled in me from my experience in the pharmaceutical industry."
Right now, IKA’s Product line consists of their Glow Balm and their three Ready Steady Reds shades. They specialize in lip products and take their time with their craft and ensure that the products are up to standards. They are also cruelty-free and vegan. This is impressive, and it’s quite nice to know.
Kristina: "I think another thing that sets us apart is that we also believe in empowering our customers with knowledge and inspiration. Through informative content, beauty tips, and tutorials, we guide you on a journey of self-expression and confidence. When you choose IKA BEAUTY, you are not just getting a lipstick; you are embracing a brand that is passionate about creating extraordinary lip products that enhance your beauty."
Another interesting factor! So this brand is more than just products, they are also empowering and aiming towards helping you find "Your Best You." This led our conversation in the direction of what your best you means, and why that was important. To create a solid answer I asked her:
Interviewer: "What does it mean to be your best you, and why was that important enough to you to have it become your slogan?"
Kristina: "The idea of your best you means just that. Finding the best version of yourself. Our product represents the idea of finding your best self and boosting your confidence. It's a reminder that you own your day and becoming your best self starts within you. In a world that often puts people in boxes, we want our lipstick to encourage you to break free from those limitations and embrace your uniqueness.
"We want our products to represent a symbol of empowerment, inspiring you to be unapologetically yourself and redefine society's standards of beauty and confidence, and ultimately embrace the journey of self-discovery and wear your uniqueness proudly, inspiring others to do the same."
There is a sense of caring present in the whole process of the brand - the message itself is to make you feel confident. From the brand slogan to even the shade and product names, there is always a sense of empowerment. Her lipstick shades are called "LEVEL UP," "CALL THE SHOTS," and "YOU GOT THIS," all words that encourage the lipstick wearer. Pretty neat.
Interviewer: "What is your favorite IKA product?"
Kristina: "I obviously love all my products, but I have a special love for LEVEL UP. This beautiful shade took me on quite the journey to get it into the perfect shade of red that isn't very easily found out there. It's like this perfect balance of warmth, which captures the essence of a classic red while still having its own unique sort of character."
She further explained that it's an almost warm shade, but not overwhelmingly so, allowing it to harmonize well with medium skin tones. She also let me know that it has an ability to exude a vampy allure without swinging towards purple. It's really a beautiful red shade with depth, adding a touch of mystery and sophistication to any look. It's also a shade that effortlessly transitions from day to night, perfect for any occasion that calls for it. I think this is one of those shades that whether you're heading to a casual brunch or a glamorous evening event, it just works, which is exactly what Kristina told me, too.
Now, this is where I started asking her about product development, which had a whole conversation of its own, but most importantly, after asking her how she thinks of all ideas for products, I made sure to ask:
Interviewer: "So what inspired you to start IKA?"
Kristina: "I just have a love affair with lipstick and lip products! I love a good red lipstick and wear it very often. Whenever anyone would compliment me on it, in the same breath they would tell me they can't wear one, so I made a promise to change the way we look at red lipsticks.
"It's a power I just wanted to share with everyone. With a background as a product developer and the passion I have for exquisite lip products, I knew I had the power to create something that people would fall in love with."
Kristina: “As a product developer at heart, my passion lies in creating exceptional lip products. But I can’t just do that. Running IKA has demands much more than formulation and color. The biggest challenge I've faced is the necessity of having a broad understanding of every aspect of the business.”
From navigating complex regulations to managing the intricacies of the supply chain, and tackling tax considerations to crafting effective marketing and sales strategies both online and offline- which are 2 very distinct strategies, it’s not easy to be well-rounded in various business areas that are crucial for success. These are all things that Kristina also had to persevere through in order to start her business. She continued:
Kristina: “And then there’s also the challenge of learning to delegate and surround myself with a skilled and dedicated team and manage myself and expectations.”
Interviewer:“On the flip side, what has been the most rewarding aspect of running your own beauty brand?”
Kristina: “Well have you seen the awards? Incredible. Because I decided to go with a brand color and packaging that represented me. I could not have imagined this would be recognised so much by the beauty industry. I am so thankful for it all really. And to have been able to bootstrap this and launch alone, I can be very proud of that too. And the feedback from the consumers are fantastic and I know a lot of them are waiting for the new products to launch!”
It’s evidently very rewarding to be the owner of your own brand and to see yourself grow and see the progress that you’ve made. As someone who has been learning while growing, it is important to share knowledge and share her experience so that others can feel encouraged and not alone. As a final question:
Interviewer:"Do you have any advice for other female entrepreneurs who want to start their own business?"
Kristina: “There’s the whole- get a business plan, make sure you validate your idea, find ways to experiment etc… but really, for aspiring female entrepreneurs i’d say focus on intrinsic motivation. Believe in yourself, trust your abilities, and fearlessly showcase your unique perspective. Build a strong support network with mentors and like-minded people. Embrace the fact that you will be continuously learning, take risks, and maintain resilience. With belief, support, and perseverance, success will come. And don't forget to have fun, as learning comes from the experience.
"So while it may be important to create connections and have people outside believe in you, you also have to be able to believe in yourself and trust that the direction you are taking yourself in is the correct direction. This advice is important for people to hear, too, as success does not come over night. It takes a lot of work, as Kristina has told us about and from what we see, this hard work and perseverance pays off."
Conclusion:
Hearing from Kristina all of this inside knowledge on her brand has been a true inspiration. Her passionate focus on lip products and dedication to perfecting the art of lip color truly shines through. It's evident that she not only prioritize delivering high-quality lipsticks but also genuinely care about her customers' well-being. By infusing their lipsticks with skincare benefits and embracing a cruelty-free approach, they showcase their commitment to both beauty and ethics. Through their empowering content and educational initiatives, IKA is more than just a beauty brand – they are a trusted beauty companion on a journey of self-expression and confidence. As we celebrate the success of this small business, we're reminded that the beauty industry is not just about products but about the people and stories behind them. This interview offers a glimpse into the heart and soul of the brand, making it all the more special. Here's to supporting small businesses and celebrating the beauty of uniqueness and authenticity!
