MOGUL IN THE MAKING.
Kristen Noel Crawley does not crawl. She sprints.
On her resume: beauty columnist, jewelry designer, and entrepreneur. After a trip to Tokyo with Dior, Kristen stumbled upon what would be her next big venture: lip masks.
From her eyes to our lips, she founded KNC Beauty, her now Insta-famous brand with a focus on all natural lip masks. Not only is she CEO to KNC, she's also a mother to two babes, and co-owner of a gallery space (Chicago's RSVP Gallery). She's an open and shut #boss. No jury deliberation.
Try and keep up below.
Name: Kristen Crawley
Instagram Handle: @kristennoelcrawley
Business Instagram Handle: @kncbeauty
What does beauty mean to you?
Feeling comfortable in your own skin, loving yourself and treating yourself right.
Do you remember a moment when you first felt beautiful?
When I was about 11 I plucked out ALL of my eyebrows so that I could look like my mom (it was the style back then) I thought I was so beautiful because I looked like her. She wasn’t too happy about it (laughs).
Where do your drive and passion come from?
Definitely from the strong women in my family! My grandma raised 5 kids on her own. My mom raised two. My sister is an attorney. With examples like that, how could I not have passion and drive?
What made you decide to launch KNC Beauty?
I needed a product like a lip mask so I created it. There were times I didn’t think it would be a good idea but I’m glad I kept pushing and believed in myself.
Did you ever imagine such a massive response to your lip mask?
Not at all! I still at times can’t believe how amazing the response has been. I definitely have to credit my lovely girlfriends that have supported me. I couldn’t have done it without them. It’s proof that when we as women support each other that we can accomplish anything!
"When women support each other we can accomplish anything!"
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What are your biggest fears about running a business?
I think failure, in general, is a fear of mine or people not liking my product.
What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?
In the beginning, it was just my intern and I. Now I have a full team of women- sales director, creative team, assistant. It’s cook to work with so many ladies.
IYO-- How can we stay original when we are so saturated with other people's work?
Logging off of social media is always inspiring for me. It can get redundant and cloud your mind if you’re not careful. I try to take a weekly and monthly break. It always makes me feel so much better and my creative juices start owing when I’m not being fed other people’s ideas.
What about your career makes you feel the most complete?
Well, I really feel like I’m just starting in the beauty space. I have so many ideas that I can’t wait to get out there. Finding a niche where I can be creative while still making something cool and accessible has been a great accomplishment for me.
If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?
I’d be a professional equestrian. I loved riding when I was younger and to experience that every day as a job would be the most fun!
At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?
I remember when I was about to put my lip mask out and another company beat me to the punch. I felt so defeated. I talked to my friend about it and she encouraged me to keep pushing and I’m so glad I did. That was a turning point in my confidence that I needed to go after my goals!
What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?Just do it!
Because if you don’t, someone else will.
When you hit a big bump in the road, how do you find a new road or a detour?
I try to look at all of my options and weigh them out. There is ALWAYS a solution so don’t get frustrated, just get going!
What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?
"Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley. It fills my soul with happiness.
Photo Credit: @davisfactor
Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai
