Katrina. Founder - Little Danube

Katrina is a thirty-four-year-old Small Business Owner and Founder of vegan beauty label Little Danube. She has been in the beauty industry for one year.

How did you get into your field? What inspired you?

'I lost my corporate job and after interviewing for months without being made an offer I asked myself whether I was sabotaging myself and whether something else was meant for me. Whilst reading an article in Forbes, “What Successful Beauty Startups Are Focusing On Now” by Richard Kestenbaum, it dawned on me that there was a lack of vegan beauty products in clean beauty. It was only being addressed by very few companies. I decided to become one of the niche players and founded Little Danube which was developed during the first March UK national lockdown and officially launched on the 1st of August.'

What did you study at university and did this help you get into your field?

'I studied philosophy, then accountancy and project management! Philosophy has helped me with the conceptual side and vision for my business, while accounting has given me the tools to do my own booking, long term planning and budgeting. Project management helps me with the challenges of managing changes, planning, executing, strategy setting and strategic partnerships.'

'I later also undertook a soap course and training to ensure that I was aware of the compliance and legal side of my business.'

Do you recommend any particular studies, courses or degrees for your field?

'I would have loved to study to become a cosmetic scientist, this would have been super helpful.'

What does an average day look like in your role?

'I start with soap making in the morning followed by 'lunch and learns' everyday at 12:00 as I think learning and developing my skills is key. In the afternoon I do admin, loads of admin - this includes everything from sorting deliveries to wrapping orders. I go through my emails in the evening as well as social media planning. If I have any downtime throughout the day I like to read books and listen to a lot of podcasts.'

What is the best part of your role?

'Coming up with a new formula, of a new collaboration or a new idea and the excitement and enthusiasm that it creates for me!'

What is the worst part of your role?

'Admin........'

How important is work/life balance to you and how much spare time do you have?

'Very. I like the adrenaline of being incredibly busy and the buzz of being in action but there is a cost to it. My biggest issue is that I never switch off. To overcome the high level of stress I have a bath at least once a week with epsom salt, I find it very relaxing and I can properly switch off. I also read a lot, it takes of my mind everything and I get stimulated with knowledge.'

Do you have any hobbies?

'I've never really had any hobbies. I decided to make soaps as a hobby and a brand was born! Now my hobby is reading.'

Do you have any advice for people looking to start a career in the same field?

'Your 'why' and your 'story 'is half of your brand. Once you ask yourself the hard questions your vision becomes better and clearer.'

Have you ever experienced any uncertainties about your career? What did you do to overcome them?

'Always. I'm very impatient, when I work hard and dedicate everything to my work I expect some returns. When it doesn't happen I doubt myself, I overthink it, I feel down. So I try to keep myself busy with other projects to lessen the pressure of high expectations and help develop my patience.'

Who is your biggest female inspiration and why?

'Marina Abramovich. Marina is an immense source of inspiration and I hold so much admiration for her, for pushing the limits of art, the possibilities of the mind and for her visionary and conceptual art. She's incredibly strong and yet emotional and unconventional. It is fascinating how her ideas are generated and crystallised into a ritualistic and out of world experience.'