Karina Ortega's Chic Solution to Makeup Stains on Clothing

Hi, Karina! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

Upon graduating with a BA in Communications and minors in English and Hispanic Marketing from Florida State University, I worked for a large Hispanic advertising agency where I was exposed to every aspect of advertising and marketing from inception, research, design, and execution. From there, I shifted to the media side working for The New York Times and American Express Publishing before getting stepping into my last role as digital marketing lead for Fossil Group Latin America. I left Fossil Group upon the birth of my first child and Bonnie Slip, the makeup and clothing protector was created shortly after. I created it after constantly getting makeup on my clothing while dressing and undressing. I realized there was no simple, washable, and reusable product available, so I invented it!

Who are your customers?

I think the beauty of my product is that it appeals to so many! It doesn't matter who you are or what size you are. My product is for everyone that uses makeup!

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

After taking a break from the corporate world to have my two children, I realized two things. One is that I absolutely wanted to go back to work and two, that there was the opportunity to create something special and unique to get me there!

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

My business isn't even a year old so this is something I am right in the thick of! I first got the word of my business by word of mouth and my personal Instagram account. To be honest, it was and still is hard. Doing the back-end work of creating the product was easy, but promoting your own product is difficult. I did find that my engagement and sales were hirer when I really leaned in and put myself out there.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

The biggest challenge I have encountered is regarding product education. There is no similar product in the market so educating people has been the biggest hurdle.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

I am most proud of just being able to say I started this company and gave it my best and tried. To put your time, money, and energy into something and be unsure of the outcome is terrifying. The process of inventing this product and creating this business has been exhausting and time consuming but it has made me realize that I am so much more capable than I give myself credit for. Sometimes its not about celebrating the destination or final accomplishment, but rather savoring and relishing the journey you've created.

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

I am so excited to have launched BonnieSlip earlier this year. From this amazing community I was able to meet Jeannine Adams of Ready Pretty who did a complete rehaul of our website. The beautiful, newly improved site will launch next week!

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

I will be expanding and investing in marketing heavily the next year. We hope you will see us at checkout counters at department stores, beauty stores, and boutiques.

What is your top productivity tip? 

Before I leave my desk for the day, I always leave a "To DO" list out for the next time I sit down. Having a list of items in priority order helps me work efficiently and in a timely manner. I can't live without a to do list!

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

I constantly remind myself that life is about balance. If I want to be my best, I need to do the things that make me feel my best- that includes daily exercises and making sure I do something for myself every day. I truly believe there is no bigger killer of creativity than burnout so I am a big, big proponent of time for me!

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

We work to live, not live to work!

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

One thing I wish I new sooner is that there is a directory full of all the members and their industry!

If you've raised capital for your business already, what are some of your best tips or lessons learned?

Are you a Mamaprenista? If so, please share your best advice for simultaneously managing a business and a family

Yes! It is so hard juggling two kids and a new business. First, you need to find the right help! people who your kids enjoy being around and people you trust with your kids. I've found that my 5 year old loves when I give him the play by play of what I need to do an why. If he knows what I'm doing and why its important, he is more likely to give me the time I need to complete it.

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

I cannot live without Canva! I am not particularly creative, but Canva makes me feel like a part time graphic designer.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

I think my favorite business tool is shipstation. I love how seamlessly it integrates into my shop and how easy it makes it to ship and print order labels.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Putting yourself out there and trying something you believe in is terrifying. There are days when you find yourself questioning everything you've done and there are days where you don't want the day to end because there are so many amazing things in motion. I think the most important part is that you believe in yourself. No one will believe in you or your product if you don't believe it. Lean in, be a cheerleader, and those around you will follow...Hopefully! Let's see how it goes for :)

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