Heather Marianna is a highly regarded entrepreneur who had successfully built several promotions, marketing, and sales consultancies and agencies before launching a YouTube channel, originally conceived to share easy, do-it-yourself beauty solutions using common household ingredients. Following meticulous research, development, and personal hand crafting, Heather launched her own plant-based skincare lines: Beauty Kitchen and Marianna Naturals in 2013 – based entirely on her commitment to natural and healthy beauty regimens and lifestyles.

Taking her company to the next level, Heather then used her available infrastructure to help others develop their own beauty brands by offering a Brand Incubator and Accelerator Program including full turn key coaching, retail ready manufacturing, and making it affordable for people who really want to launch a brand but don’t know where to begin.

What was the biggest lesson you learned from 2021?

The year was undoubtedly a challenging one as we all seemed to be just trying to figure out what the new "normal" was going to look like. But if I learned anything it was how to be adaptable to circumstances that can turn on a dime. In business, I realized how important it was to cut all the fat. We closed one store location and we are consolidating to one warehouse instead of three this coming year to become even more financially responsible in growing the brand. Personally, I realized I was compensating for that year lost during lockdown and was attempting to do too much. I was taking on too much when I learned the value and the benefits of simply focusing on one task at a time that produced better results.

How are you preparing for 2022?

I am working on finding new offices that could provide us the much needed space we need. We're also hiring slow, taking the time to finding the right people for each position. We really want to gain real talent instead of simply fulling in roles. I am also setting the wheels in motion with product brokers from all over the world to distribute Beauty Kitchen and Marianna Naturals across a wider spectrum of outlets. On a personal level, I am really doing a ton of self care. I can't overstate the importance of being healthy and balanced to stay on top of your game. I plan to NOT burn out 2022.

What advice would you give other female founders that are looking to create big success in 2022?

I would tell everyone to just go for it! You have to. Learn to shift when required and be ok with that. Just because your idea has to change course doesn't mean it is going the wrong way. I never imagined that I would ever close our main store but in these unprecedented times, we have to be able to shift. Also I advice anyone starting a business or a project to start small and grow organically. And most of all, get a coach. It'll save you a lot of unnecessary mistakes to have someone who's been there and can be a valuable guide.

What’s your 2022 mantra?

One day at a time.