An entrepreneurial spirit isn’t all it takes to make a business idea succeed – there’s plenty of blood, sweat and tears thrown into the mix too. founder Anna Ross is all too familiar with the dedication required for getting a good idea off the ground, but is now being acknowledged for her success having recently won the 2016 Young Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Award. Ross recently spoke to BD about her thoughts on how to succeed as a beauty business:
What inspired you to begin your own business?
I have always been inspired to simply make what was not currently available in the market myself. This ranged from clothing and jewellery to furniture. I have always loved being creative so beginning my own company was inevitable.
How long did it take for you to find success with Kester Black?
We released our first collection of six nail polish colours in August 2012, and tripled our turnover within three months. It was an immediate hit. We now have around 60 colours and have continued to see significant growth over the last four years.
Where do you hope the brand will be in five years?
Having just picked up two international distributors in Asia and Europe, and being asked to collaborate with a very notable global brand, I see Kester Black becoming available in high-end department stores and boutiques globally. Kester Black is the first cosmetics company in the world to obtain B Corp certification which is a huge game changer for the industry. We are hoping other brands follow our lead and switch to better ethical and environmental practices as consumers become more empowered to make better purchasing decisions.
What piece of advice do you have for young beauty entrepreneurs?
Consider ethical business practices from the beginning. The industry is changing rapidly and cosmetics that aren't good for people and the planet will be phased out over the next few years.
Image: The Design Files
