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Exploring Life & Business with Nathalia Mosquera of Nailah Beauty

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathalia Mosquera

Hi Nathalia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Nailah Beauty originally started as a makeup retailer in 2017 in Colombia. After moving to the U.S. in 2019, I relaunched the business, but faced many new challenges as an immigrant, particularly because I didn’t fully understand how businesses operate in the U.S. After a lot of hard work and research, we launched our first product—magnetic lashes—which did pretty well. But then the pandemic hit.

Like many, the business paused during lockdown. With no reason to wear makeup since everything was closed, I found myself focusing more on skincare and haircare. I’ve always loved researching before diving into anything new, and with a history of thyroid issues, cancer, and other health concerns in my family, I ended up going down the “ingredient rabbit hole.” I discovered that around 90% of the products we see on store shelves contain harmful ingredients—endocrine disruptors, potential allergens, carcinogens, and more.

On top of that, I learned the beauty industry produces over 120 billion units of plastic packaging waste annually. I couldn’t believe it! I knew I had to do something about it, and that’s how Nailah Beauty, in its current form, was reborn.

Today, Nailah Beauty is a natural self-care company focused on creating safe, nature-powered products that help women heal their relationship with themselves through healthier skin and hair—all while being an eco-friendly alternative to regular drugstore products. As someone who’s spent thousands of dollars on self-care products, my mission is to release only products that truly work. We address common skin and hair concerns—hair loss, hyperpigmentation, dryness, scalp irritations, and more—using high-quality natural ingredients that won’t harm long-term health.

It’s been a beautiful journey, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without our incredible community that has supported us from day one.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely been a learning process. Being relatively new to this industry, there were a lot of trials and errors involved in getting to where we are today. Our first self-care product was a scalp scrubber. It’s a great product with amazing benefits for scalp and hair health, but when it came time to market it, we quickly realized it wasn’t an essential product in most people’s routines. That was our first big lesson.
Looking for a complementary product, we came across hair oils—a perfect pairing. However, when I started looking for manufacturers, I realized that the minimum order quantities (MOQs) were far too large for a self-funded business, and the shipping costs were extremely high. Still, I took the risk and ordered around five thousand hair oils (yes, you read that right!). During shipping, about one thousand of them were damaged, and the manufacturer refused to send replacements unless I placed another order. The bigger issue was that the hair oils were the only 100% natural product they offered, so I couldn’t order anything else to make up for the loss.
That was another valuable lesson learned. Now, we manufacture our own products, ensuring we use high-quality ingredients and can offer our customers a wider variety without having to hold thousands of units in inventory at a time.
Learning how to make the products while handling all the other aspects of the business—marketing, administration, finances, and more—as a solopreneur was exhausting. Inevitably, I burned out and had to step away from the business for a while. During that time, I focused on myself—working on my health (mental, physical and spiritual), building good habits, and developing the skills and tools I needed to continue. Once I was ready, I came back stronger, and I haven’t stopped since.
I’m incredibly grateful for all the lessons along the way and for where the business stands today. It’s been a long journey, but we’re ready to face any challenges that come our way. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but seeing the impact we’ve created (and will continue to create) in people’s lives makes it all worth it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Nailah Beauty, we are dedicated to empowering women and celebrating the incredible diversity that makes each of us unique. My passion lies in creating natural self-care solutions that not only enhance beauty but also uplifts inner confidence. We specialize in crafting safe, effective beauty products formulated with premium, all-natural and organic ingredients. What truly sets Nailah Beauty apart is our unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility and absolute transparency.

From the moment you unbox our products, you’ll notice our eco-friendly packaging—a testament to our promise to minimize our environmental footprint. Our sustainable sourcing practices ensure that every ingredient we use not only benefits your skin and hair but also respects the planet we all share. We are committed to leading by example in the beauty industry, pushing boundaries to adopt and promote sustainable practices at every step.

I am incredibly proud of how Nailah Beauty seamlessly fits into the daily routines of women everywhere, making self-care an effortless and essential part of life. Our clean and safe products are thoughtfully designed to address common skin and hair concerns—such as hair loss, acne, hyperpigmentation, dryness, and scalp irritations—without ever compromising on quality. We believe that every woman deserves access to high-quality products that work harmoniously with her body, delivering exceptional results while providing peace of mind. That’s why we are committed to offering these solutions at accessible price points, ensuring effective self-care is within reach for all.

Transparency and integrity aren’t just buzzwords for us; they’re the foundation of everything we do. We provide detailed ingredient lists and openly share information about our sourcing and partnership practices because we believe you have the right to know exactly what you’re putting on your body. This commitment builds trust within our community and empowers women to make informed, confident choices about their beauty routines.

What I truly want readers to know is that Nailah Beauty is more than just a brand—it’s a heartfelt movement towards self-confidence and sustainable living. By choosing our products, you’re not only embracing your natural beauty but also taking a meaningful step towards a healthier planet. We are continuously innovating, always seeking new ways to offer eco-conscious beauty solutions that meet high environmental standards.

Ultimately, Nailah Beauty exists to inspire and empower women of all backgrounds to embrace and celebrate their unique beauty. We are passionately committed to fostering a community where genuine self-confidence and environmental consciousness come together, redefining the very essence of beauty. I warmly invite you to join us on this transformative journey. Together, we can make a positive impact on ourselves and the world around us—one natural, eco-friendly product at a time.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Absolutely, I’d be happy to share my perspective on risk-taking. As a business owner, I firmly believe that risks are not just necessary—they’re essential **drivers** for growth and innovation. As a solopreneur, the magnitude of these risks can indeed be intimidating, but they also carry the potential for significant rewards.
Every decision I make involves some level of risk, and being the sole decision-maker means the responsibility rests entirely on my shoulders. While this can be daunting, it empowers me to steer the company in directions that align with my vision and values. I’ve learned that without embracing risk, there’s little room for progress.
One of the most significant risks I took was starting Nailah Beauty itself. Launching a self-funded business in a new country was filled with unknowns—from understanding a different market to navigating the beauty industry as an immigrant. However, thorough market research and a commitment to our mission helped me make informed decisions that shaped the company’s success.
Financial risks have been particularly impactful. Allocating resources effectively is crucial when every dollar counts. Early on, I made investments that didn’t yield the expected returns, teaching me the importance of calculated risks—being bold yet strategic. Missteps slowed our growth but also highlighted areas for improvement.
I approach risk with a balance of courage and caution. Conducting research, analyzing potential outcomes, and meticulous planning don’t eliminate risk but mitigate unnecessary pitfalls. Ultimately, I see risk as an opportunity—a chance to push boundaries, learn, and grow. While the fear of failure is real, the greatest successes often come from the most daunting risks.
Embracing risk has propelled Nailah Beauty forward and fostered my growth as an entrepreneur. It has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of trusting my instincts. I encourage others to view risk not as a barrier but as a bridge to new possibilities. With careful planning and a clear vision, risks become less about potential loss and more about the opportunities they unlock.

Pricing:

  • Our products range from $15 to $45, making high-quality, natural beauty accessible to everyone.
  • We offer bundled sets of our most popular products at a reduced price, allowing customers to save up to 20% compared to purchasing items individually.
  • We provide free shipping on all orders over $50.
  • We are excited to offer a special discount code “NAILAHWELCOME” exclusively for your readers, which provides ONE free product with their first order.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Photos by: @lupatives & Cecilia Reyes

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