Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:
My name is Christy San Jorge, founder, and CEO of Sol Amie. I have been obsessed with all things skin care, beauty, and fashion since before I could walk. My grandmother owned a skincare spa in Miami, where I enjoy some of my fondest memories. It was my favorite place to be. I remember visiting often after school, admiring her as she sat at her beautiful grand desk, signing checks and sharing her knowledge of skincare and products with her clients. I knew that someday, somehow, my path would eventually follow hers. For the past 14 years, I have worked in the medical aesthetic field, learning alongside some of the industry’s best. When I discovered that our hands are the first place on our body to show signs of aging and that 90% of aging comes from sun damage, I started to freak out every time I was in the car. On average, we spend over 1,000 hours per year driving – much of that time unknowingly exposing our hands to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Those harmful UV rays are what cause wrinkles, brown spots, and skin cancer. I started wearing sunscreen on my hands but ruined many beautiful outfits in the process. Then I tried searching for something to purchase, but what I found was dated, boring, and too utilitarian looking. I wanted to create something both stylish and effective in protecting against sun damage and skin cancer. Sol Amie was born and we launched a beautiful line of short and long UPF50+ driving gloves. They are handmade here in the USA by women! The response has been incredible and we are thrilled to be celebrating our first 3 successful months in business!
What excites you about being an Entreprenista League member?
I recently attended the brunch in Miami and was in awe of all of the brilliant women joining forces to help each other. I am looking forward to connecting and learning from all of the incredible women in this group.
What made you take the leap to start your own business?
It's something I always knew in my gut that I wanted to do. It took long and scary several years to prepare to launch but I finally did it and I am so excited and so proud of myself.
What was your background prior to starting your own business?
I have worked as a Practice Administrator for a multi-provider and multi-location plastic surgery practice and medspa for the last 14 years. I helped the practice expand from one location with 3 physicians to 9 providers and 3 locations. In 2014 I co-founded MPS MedSpa Management, a management company specifically created to oversee the growth, management, and operation of the multiple entities under the Miami Plastic Surgery brand umbrella. In 2018, my partners and I successfully negotiated and executed the sale of the management company to a private equity group. This really educated me on the nuances of running, growing, and selling a company.
Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
Yes. As I mentioned earlier, ever since I was a little girl and watched my grandmother be a powerful businesswoman, I always knew that I wanted to follow in her footsteps.
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?
I definitely did not launch as planned! I wanted everything to be perfect before I launched. I wanted a beautiful, fancy website/store, a press release, and all the things on an entrepreneur's list. I was presented with an opportunity to participate in the first annual shopping bazaar at my children's school. I knew I couldn't pass that up, that was my exact target market. I went into fast forward for two weeks to prepare. I made my own temporary website in GoDaddy, started posting in a hurry on Instagram, and the rest is history. It was a super successful launch!
What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way and what did you learn from it?
I think I am still in the middle of some challenges. I am trying to grow my social media on my own (it's moving slowly as I look longingly at the accounts with 5 figure followers), and I'm still navigating my temporary website/website while my real one is under construction. I learn and edit something new every day.
What is the accomplishment you are the proudest of to date?
Actually having the guts to launch as a solo founder is still terrifying, but I am so proud of myself. Every day I fight my inner shy introvert and try to make new connections and put myself out there. I'm still wondering if this is real!
Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?
Work/life balance is THE biggest challenge in my life. I am still working my 9-5 job as I launch this new venture, and I have 2 children. There are just not enough hours in my day. What has helped me the most is starting my day with a few minutes alone with a cup of coffee to look at my calendar and prioritize what needs to happen and when. I have Jen Sincero's "You are a Badass" planner that I use to write all of my lists, etc. I know it's a bit old school to write things down but it really helps me (especially with my goals for the day), and I love the motivational quotes each week. Something else that has been a game changer is involving my children in my journey. My 8-year-old daughter has named herself the KEO (Kid Executive Officer) of Sol Amie and we have so much fun together creating content. She has some hilarious reels on our Instagram page. I think it's important for her and my son (5) to see me working towards my goals and dreams. When I have to tell my kids I need some quiet time to concentrate on something for Sol Amie, they are more cooperative because they know how much it means to me and it has become important for them too.
What's a piece of advice you can share that you wish you'd known when you first started your Entreprenista journey?
I'm learning that all of us are figuring things out as we go, and it's ok to make mistakes. This has been the most difficult part for me.
What have you achieved recently that you'd like to celebrate with our community?
It's a small win but I surpassed 500 followers on Instagram!
What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?
I want to expand to other sun protection products but in the meantime, the next goal is to get some exciting media coverage to let everyone know about our fabulous product!
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About the Author
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