Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Manny Fimbres, founder, and CEO of Eleven Eleven Skin LLC., located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Hello! My name is Manny Fimbres, creator of Eleven Eleven Skin Alchemy, a recently launched skincare brand based in Phoenix, Arizona. The brand was inspired by, and it has been all about, people; social commitment is part of Eleven Eleven Skin Alchemy DNA. Our brand stands by being the bearer of a universal message that transcends borders, skin color, gender, language, and political and religious beliefs. We are passionate about two things: 1- Providing people with fantastic skincare options that are free of harmful chemicals. 2- Welcoming all types of skin.
We use only the best natural ingredients that nature has to offer. We put in the best ingredients, and we expect the best results. Our products utilize high-performance organic ingredients to deliver superior results and effectively combat dryness and signs of aging. We use only natural ingredients because we're tired of putting harmful chemicals on and in our bodies. We also believe that skincare shouldn't discriminate. Our products are crafted to work for everyone. We're here for anyone - regardless of the color of your skin, your race, your gender identity, your sexual preferences, your religion, your politics, your hair color, or whether you're a cat or a dog person. We love people, and we love great skin. Period.
Tell us about yourself
For the past 20 years, I have been very involved in the skincare industry, working with other brands that cater to a specific market, with the way that life changed on us due to the pandemic, it gave a lot of time to think and realize that it was time to create something meaningful not just for me but for my family. For most of my life, I ignored how many unnatural chemicals we come into contact with and literally put on and in our bodies during daily life. After a cancer diagnosis, I took stock of what I was subjecting my body to and worked to understand how to detox my body from these substances safely.
I learned about what these chemicals can do to us and even how my mind and emotions may be suppressing my immune system. It was during my cancer treatments that I also started to notice the number 11:11 was ever-present, even 'annoyingly' ever-present, and intriguingly putting me through rabbit-hole after rabbit-hole wanting to understand "the sign." I can say now that I am trying as hard as I can to reach a balance, and that has become important and proven effective when battling illnesses. After beating cancer, I pushed myself to have a healthy diet for the inside, and soothing natural ingredients for the outside, to assist in maintaining balance.
It was through that process that I decided to launch this healthy skincare company to help everyone maintain their balance and stop putting unnatural chemicals on their bodies. After all, when the mind and body are in synchronicity, we are truly healthy, and this creates a glow from within that cannot be denied.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Eleven Eleven Skin Alchemy was basically originated by listening to people's stories, gathering a lot of information on what everybody looks for as far skin nourishment, and taking into account the current times we live in where there are a lot of factors that intrude in our daily living which makes it not so easy to keep a healthy and balanced lifestyle. When everything shut down due to the pandemic, it became more important to bring these products to life. The biggest accomplishment was to do it from a distance, but with the way we are blessed with technology, it was pretty much effortless.
I had the opportunity to connect with estheticians, lab chemists in the cosmetics world, skincare experts and managed to build a behind-the-scenes curating team while we looked and focused on super-food ingredients and our own body capability to heal itself when it is properly fed and nourished. The learning experience was amazing! A simple message we all know, but we generally take it for granted because we are so involved with social responses like instant gratification.
Having the first set of products made with no chemicals and all formulated with natural ingredients and seeing them sitting on a shelf was the first accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Aah! The things nobody likes to talk about? I think this question changes on a daily basis; shaping up a business comes with a hefty learning curve, the learning part never ends. Whether or not you have a partner, it can be lonely. Your hours will become nontraditional, you may be working out of your home or in a small office, and you will focus all your attention on work.
None of these factors make for a great social life early on. Realize that this stage is temporary and try to make time for people who have been there before. They can demonstrate that it gets better and help you take your mind off work. Also, you will be poor for a while... Unless you have a trust fund, a huge savings account, or a wealthy partner, the chances are high that you'll be scraping by for a while. In the long run, this will help you make savvy financial decisions. But while you're in it, it won't be easy. Every decision begins to look like it's colored by a financial lens.
You'll realize that you might not be able to go to dinner with your friends, take vacations or go shopping. You may even cancel your gym membership and magazine subscriptions (I did). This is all a great training ground for when you do have money. Hopefully, you'll remember these tough times and be careful with your earnings.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find your North Star. (Tunnel Vision)
Before launching into bringing a business to life, and this is based on my own experience, the need to consider your core mission is very important. Use it as a North Star to guide any decisions regarding creation or expansion. Remember that any new product or foray into a new market must feel like a natural extension of what you started being focused on originally. - Respond to customer feedback. (Getting involved)
This is just as simple as talking to your existing customers. Find out their pain points, why they buy your product or service, and how they think you could improve. Maybe you'll learn that your customers are traveling a great distance to buy your product, or you're routinely shipping to a particular market. Those are telling signs that expansion might be due… our brand started exclusively as skincare for men, but after opening to feedback, it took a life and shape of its own. - Don't try to go it alone (Team Up)
Owning your own business can create a lonely world: you make decisions on your own, you might find a few successes that no one else sees, and you worry all by yourself. Build your tribe of advisers, counselors, guides, and good friends who you know are truly invested. They can offer input, join your celebrations, and help you find the light at the end of the long, dark tunnels.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
It's impossible to know everything about running your business. When you have legal, accounting, IT, real estate, or other inevitable questions, get referrals to trusted experts from people in your network. Without bad, it's tough to appreciate good. Take the hard moments and remember them in the good moments. It helps to give you perspective and be grateful for successes, big and small.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://elevenelevenskin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllSkinIsWelcome
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevenelevenskin/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boligogo/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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