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As a part of the Morning Lazziness sequence highlighting empowering girls who’re making a exceptional influence with their concepts, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mandy Hawtin.
Mandy Hawtin is the founding father of Seadragon Natural, an authorized natural cosmeceutical skincare model created to assist girls by way of the adjustments of midlife and past. A certified beauty chemist, Mandy returned to review in her late 40s with a willpower to discover ways to formulate technically advanced merchandise that have been each sustainable and efficient.
Her inspiration got here from a deeply private place: as she skilled hormonal adjustments herself, she noticed what number of girls have been overwhelmed by complicated routines and let down by pure merchandise that didn’t ship outcomes. Mandy got down to change that by creating a set that blends the knowledge of science with the purity of nature, utilizing clinically confirmed marine bio-actives and natural components to supply seen outcomes.
Since launching in December 2024, Seadragon Natural has already attracted loyal prospects drawn to Mandy’s honesty, transparency, and keenness for sustainability. She speaks brazenly concerning the realities of formulation, ingredient sourcing, and the sweetness trade, constructing belief by sharing information quite than advertising spin. Her philosophy is rooted in steadiness: mornings dedicated to her wellbeing and reflection, afternoons devoted to creating merchandise that honour the distinctiveness of each lady’s pores and skin.
Mandy’s imaginative and prescient extends past skincare. She hopes to spark a world motion that reframes midlife as a season of renewal quite than decline. By guiding girls with kindness, integrity, and experience, she is redefining what it means to age with magnificence, confidence, and charm.
On this interview, she displays on the pivotal moments, hard-earned classes, and defining wins from her journey in constructing thriving on-line ventures.
What impressed your leap into entrepreneurship, and what private experiences sparked the concept behind your present enterprise?
To start with, I needed an fascinating profession that blended effectively with being a mom of three younger youngsters. My present enterprise adopted from seeing a necessity for natural merchandise that have been as excessive performing as artificial merchandise, married with a low carbon footprint. Seadragon Natural grew from that keenness.
What core downside does what you are promoting clear up, significantly for girls or underserved communities—and the way does your strategy stand out in right this moment’s aggressive area?
I simplify skincare for individuals who need seen outcomes with out the overwhelm. Many ladies really feel let down by pure merchandise that don’t carry out, or manufacturers that promote 5 or extra skincare merchandise morning and evening. I’ve targeted on formulating natural skincare that works at a cosmeceutical stage, and two multipurpose merchandise, each morning and evening.
What have been among the hardest obstacles you confronted early in your journey as a girl entrepreneur, and the way did you navigate by way of them?
My former enterprise associate left our enterprise and I felt pressured to promote. Beginning over alone meant rebuilding my confidence and dealing with the monetary challenges of not having an revenue for two years. I took the time as a chance to turn into a professional beauty chemist and create new and technically extra superior skincare than I may have performed beforehand.
When the going will get robust, what retains you grounded and motivated to maintain pushing ahead?
I come again to why I started: the enjoyment of making merchandise I really like and the imaginative and prescient of supporting girls by way of midlife adjustments with out the greenwashing and misleading advertising techniques. Delivering merchandise which have the proper enter of lively components to offer prospects one of the best skincare outcomes with out compromising on sustainability is a large driver, and actually I really like being my very own boss.
What every day habits or non-negotiable routines provide help to keep targeted, creatively energized, and balanced as a founder?
Morning self-care is non-negotiable. I’ve not too long ago added meditation as quickly as I get up, which has helped me handle anxiousness and keep current. That calm focus carries into my work and fuels my creativity. I additionally attempt to stroll or train most days too.
What’s been the best development lever for buying new purchasers or increasing your buyer base?
Seadragon Natural remains to be younger, with our first merchandise launched final December. Natural gross sales from my former prospects have been a powerful place to begin, and we’re now on monitor to succeed in my earlier enterprise’s gross sales ranges. With social media adverts beginning subsequent quarter, I anticipate development to speed up.
What branding or advertising resolution had the largest influence in elevating what you are promoting and constructing belief along with your viewers?
Selecting to share the reality about components. Prospects worth transparency, and by explaining precisely what’s in my formulations and why, I construct belief and set Seadragon Natural aside.
How do you personally outline success—not simply as a enterprise proprietor, however as a girl residing a purpose-driven life?
Success to me isn’t massive gross sales figures, it’s being acknowledged by my friends by way of the awards I’ve gained. Personally, success is once I expertise the peerlessly balanced day, with mornings devoted to my wellbeing and development, and afternoons dedicated to my enterprise – typically the opposite manner round!
Are you able to share a mistake or misstep that taught you a lesson you continue to carry with you right this moment?
Early on, I underestimated how lengthy it takes to carry merchandise to market. It taught me endurance, resilience, and the significance of permitting area for innovation to unfold at its personal tempo. Dashing can lead to pricey errors. Take your time and get issues proper.
What’s your greatest recommendation for girls simply beginning out—particularly first-time entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed or not sure of their subsequent steps?
Begin with what you understand and belief your self to study the remaining. Deal with progress, not perfection, and keep in mind that the journey itself is a part of your development. Whenever you make a mistake, which is able to occur, don’t dwell on it. As an alternative, take the lesson and transfer on.
How do you strategy danger and innovation, particularly when breaking new floor in a male-dominated or fast-changing trade?
Innovation is much less about following tendencies and extra about creating what is actually wanted, even when which means doing issues otherwise. Though I’m a solopreneur, I lean on consultants round me, akin to my ingredient suppliers and advertising company. Ask for recommendation and opinions, as innovation isn’t a solo enterprise.
For those who lead a workforce, how do you foster a tradition of belief, inclusivity, collaboration, and development?
I presently work solo, however once I collaborate with different companies, distributors, and suppliers, I deal with respect, open communication, and most significantly, shared values. Folks can study your tradition and model, however in case you are not values aligned, you’re sure to have issues in some unspecified time in the future.
What are the highest 5 mindset shifts or private practices that helped you overcome self-doubt and develop your confidence as a girl entrepreneur?
- Seeing setbacks as a part of the method and a chance to study
- Trusting the science and my training
- Valuing progress over perfection – typically you simply want to maneuver ahead
- Constructing group as a substitute of competitors – it’s additionally extra enjoyable, and you’ll be amazed at how one can profit one another
- When feeling overwhelmed, akin to not having sufficient time, that’s the time to step away for a number of hours or a day and take a break.
For those who may spark a world motion by way of your work, what would it not be—and why is that mission significant to you?
I’d love to indicate the sweetness trade that sustainability isn’t nearly packaging choice, it’s about each ingredient that goes into skincare merchandise and the manufacturing processes, too. I’d love to indicate them that decreasing our carbon footprint may cost a little bit extra, but it surely’s a course we have to transfer into and one which many shoppers will embrace.
What’s a quote, philosophy, or guiding perception that shapes the way you lead, create, and dwell day by day?
“There is just one technique to study. It’s by way of motion.” – Paulo Coelho. This jogs my memory to maintain transferring ahead, even when issues really feel unsure.
The place can our viewers join with you, discover your work, or observe your entrepreneurial journey on-line?
You may uncover Seadragon Organic or observe my journey on Instagram.
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