How She Launched It: Myleik Teele, Founder of curlBOX
MN: Did you get an investor before launch? If not, are you considering going that route now?
Teele: I didn’t have a financial investor but I did receive intangible investments by way of a business advisor. I haven’t really thought about financial investors at this point.
MN: What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned since launching curlBOX?
Teele: The biggest lesson I learned since starting this company was what to focus on. As a PR person I was focused on how it looked and what people thought of it as opposed to the actual logistics. In order to run a company like this you have to understand things like shipping, storage and customer service – the non-glamorous side of the business. I had to stop deeply obsessing over the Pantone colors (trust me I can GO there) and focus on my business.
MN: What has been your biggest regret?
Teele: I don’t live a life of regrets … I don’t believe in right or wrong decisions. I believe in good and bad consequences. There are no regrets.
MN: Do you have a mentor or someone that you turn to for advice?
Teele: Yes, I have several mentors. No one ever gets successful on their own. One of my mentors is Tresa Sanders of TreMedia. She has been a big sister and huge supporter of my curlBOX dream. She leads by example and I’ve never seen anyone that has mastered the human connection like she has.
MN: Who/what is your biggest inspiration?
Teele: My biggest inspiration for curlBOX is one of my best friends, Ken Burkeen, (former P&G exec) founder and CEO of Huetiful (hair steamers). Ken has not only been an incredible friend to me but he exposed me to a new and better way of thinking about business. I learned that it was less about me and more about the customer. As a PR professional it’s all about the aesthetics and taste – things I like and just the way I like it. Ken encouraged me think differently which completely changed the way I do business.
MN: What advice would you give someone looking to break into the beauty industry?
Teele: In every industry, you should seek to solve problems as opposed to seeking money. Look for gaps. Try to find new and better ways of doing things. The beauty industry is always on a mission for the latest and greatest … Become that.
