Stephy interviews her usually silent co-founder, Kriszta in this special installment of the In Bed With... Series. They discuss candidly if she was always obsessed with beauty, advice she has for friends looking to start a company, and the challenges that come with bootstrapping a small business.
Name: Kriszta
Sum up the mission of Moonlit: We’re dedicated to overnight skincare and sleep wellness.
IG handle / website: @moonlitskincare / www.moonlitskincare.com
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Ok girl –people are going to ask so where’s your accent from?
I’m from Budapest, Hungary!
Describe your upbringing and how it has helped you get to where you are now.
Were you always obsessed with beauty?
Are there specific products you gravitate towards?
You and I were friends/roommates first before deciding to do this crazy thing. Do you have any advice for friends who are looking to create a company?
Yes!
- Start small and don't release too many SKUs
- Be careful with who you partner with (we’ve heard horror stories)
- Work with people that you trust
- Enjoy it!
- Separate business things and friend things
- Be open
Do you and Stephy ever fight? (Hah – I get asked this a lot so I thought I’d toss it to you too)
Moonlit has shifted from traditional skincare to a more broader, gift-friendly category. Let's explain to others why we intentionally decided to transition to gifting.
It’s really hard to stand out in beauty right now. The category is so saturated, whereas in the gift category, you can have additional products that cater to all skin types and are easy to gift. Our mission around improving sleep still stands firmly.
A guy can walk into a gift shop and easily pick up an eyemask or some bath salts for Mother's Day knowing he's giving some relaxation treats.
What’s a big misconception about running a small business?
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received for running a small business?
- Spend wisely and do not run out of cash.
- Don’t overextend yourself.
What part of the process was surprisingly easy?
Getting the online store up and running.
You don’t have to invest $20,000 on a website. It requires time and a bit of skill but it’s not difficult.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on this journey?
Is there a place you look to for trends, insight, and data?
Caroline Hirons blog (it’s refreshing!), The Cut, and Refinery29.
What’s your wind-down routine, how do you de-stress, and do you have sleep tips?
Go to bed early! Sleep before midnight is the best sleep you are going to get.
In terms of a routine I try to read or light a candle and do a spritz before bed. Basically anything to get me away from my screens.
QUICKFIRE