Today we’d like to introduce you to Katy Stoka.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I call my story my Shower Story! I’ve always loved how false lashes for their ability to instantly enhance your overall look. One Saturday evening, as I was preparing to go out, I was in the shower and thinking, “Am I going to have enough time to wash my hair AND put on my lashes?”
The answer was no. I was, like so many women, a busy mom. I worked and I wanted to spend time with my children. Finally, I just thought, No, there has to be a better way. I decided I was tired of messing with lash glue and had the idea to make lashes as easy an accessory, like a watch or earrings, by using magnets.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
From my shower moment, I embarked on two years of research and development. While creating a prototype of the Magnetic Lash, I was also building a company around the invention. I filed patents, created a business plan, needed investors, set up branding, and the whole time didn’t tell anyone what I was working on because I wanted to protect my invention. I always knew there would be copycats and knew it was important for One Two Lash to be the first, best and true Magnetic Lash. Creating this product and company was a labor of love and a lot of hard work. It took all of the grit I had to myself. I stayed motivated by always remembering why I set out to do what I was doing. I knew I wanted glamorous lashes in seconds and other women did, too.
The best advice I would offer anyone is that a visualization is a powerful tool. Take 5 to 7 minutes per week to visualize what you want in your life and don’t worry about how you’re going to get there.
what should we know about One Two Cosmetics? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As a founder and inventor, I have many roles daily and no two days are alike. I work with product development, sales, manufacturing, even customer service. I like to personally call or email a few lash lovers every week to hear about their experiences. I love hearing the good feedback and appreciate any constructive criticism. Feedback from our customers has been the inspiration for some of our product development.
One of my top priorities is represented One Two Cosmetics in a way that communicates how different One Two Lash is from the copycats that have emerged. One Two Lash is manufactured in the US, which allows us to ensure beautiful quality. One Two Lash is the most glamorous, easy to use, re-usable Magnetic Lash.
What I’m most proud of is, since launching in 2016, we’ve grown One Two Cosmetics to about 200 employees, the majority of them being female.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
Sara Blakely, the inventor, and founder of Spanx, has been an inspiration to me. When I was first starting out with the idea for One Two Lash and thinking about how to make it happen (I worked in real estate, not the beauty industry, so I had NO idea how I was going to do it), I read and listened to everything I could about how she started Spanx. Her grit and instincts for her brand were inspiring and she also reinforced the importance of a lot of practical things I was dealing with, like patents and NDAs.
Also, of course, Oprah. After watching, reading and listening to all things Oprah for so many years, One Two Lash was featured in O, The Oprah Magazine. That was a big moment and one of the visions I always had that kept me motivated.
Pricing:
- One Two Lash starts at $59
Contact Info:
- Website: OneTwoCosmetics.com
- Instagram: katy.stoka
Image Credit:
One Two Cosmetics
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