At just 15, Nicole launched her first business. Today, she’s shaking up the £9 billion beauty market with Minky Lash, an innovative at-home lash solution that’s easy, quick, and salon-free.

In this episode of Kasa Connect, Nicole opens up about building businesses from scratch in two countries, the lonely reality of solo entrepreneurship, the role of AI in growing Minky Lash, and her mission to simplify beauty routines for women everywhere.

🚀 In this episode:

• How Nicole went from jewellery to lashes, and why she sold her first business

• The retail dream: Breaking into major stores like Boots & Superdrug

• Using AI to run lean, market smart, and stay connected

• Overcoming the fear of starting over in a new city

• The honest truth about work-life balance and solo founder burnout

Whether you’re a beauty founder, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just love hearing unfiltered startup stories — this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.

(00:00) – Nicole’s journey from Canada to Minky Lash

(01:16) – Product demo & unboxing Minky Lash

(04:17) – The problem with traditional lashes

(05:20) – Nicole’s first business at 15

(07:05) – Balancing school & entrepreneurship

(08:00) – Launching Boutique Fiend jewellery

(09:47) – Moving to London & starting over

(10:40) – Challenges of solo entrepreneurship

(11:43) – Prototyping & manufacturing the lashes

(12:42) – Retail goals & beauty impact

(13:42) – Pop-ups & in-person sales

(14:35) – Selling the jewellery business

(16:17) – Scaling Minky Lash

(17:14) – Marketing & educating customers

(19:15) – Rapid fire round

(23:31) – The importance of ‘why’ & family support

(24:41) – Using AI to streamline business

(26:57) – AI vs environmental concerns

(27:57) – Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

(29:16) – Founder mindset & key qualities

(30:17) – Setting boundaries & avoiding burnout

(31:14) – Favourite coffee & advice to her younger self

(33:26) – Final thoughts on entrepreneurship