Rising Stars: Meet Kali Hart

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kali Hart.

Hi Kali, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Born in Boulder, CO I grew up with a view of the Flatirons, and colorful Pearl Street in the spring with artists lining the tulip-filled pathways, and hot air balloons in the air. I had a big passion for color, art, and nature from the beginning. Growing up with jobs limiting my creativity and vibrancy to 40-60 hours a week and hiking in my off time I struggled with the one little weekly ritual I had for self-care.. painting my nails.

Between companies switching ingredients from harmful chemicals in the polish bottles to being limited to natural and sheer colors per my job, I would find myself staring at a wall of overly lit-up nail polish that would encompass me with the anxiety of, will this cause cancer? Will this look different when I apply it or in different lighting? Why can’t I find something light and sheer and cute without globs of glitter chunks that would make Lisa Frank blush?

I would spend hours and days hunched over my desk on break looking for my Goldilocks of a nail polish color. Upon finding a few brands that developed cult followings for unique and gorgeous colors I hit that “Add to Cart” button a lot. But in the endorphin rush of a cute polish, I failed to overlook the downside with some of the colors being limited editions or it is a part of monthly collabs with new colors each month. When they arrived I felt scammed, I ended up with dozens of bottles that chipped in 1-3 days and looked different in person because of edited photos.

So out of many months of passionately testing, curating, and developing my first collection, I started Palafoxia Beauty. Offering colors that fill the demographic gaps for the working class who want reliable polish and a variety of shades that are fun and HR appropriate as well as environmentally friendly with 100% recyclable shipping and 10 Free ingredients (does not contain formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene and don’t contain parabens, fragrances, phthalates, and animal ingredients.)

Most of our nail polish shades are designed for the everyday person who has short natural nails, something that doesn’t require a top coat or maintenance, fast drying, and is easy to apply. Offering a wide range of soft shimmer nudes as well. We are always adding new colors to which many of which were designed and named by our customers. And as promised, all of our colors are permanent in our shop and will always be restocked regularly.

Where we are today, we are growing into skin care products such as cuticle and body oils and more for a full range to care for and pamper yourself. We are also growing into local farmers markets and events to help educate on ingredients, self-care, and helping people find their goldilocks nail polish.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As much as I wish this has been a smooth road, I appreciate the learning experience along the way. Learning to define our brand. While composing colors and creating fun names is easy, defining the overall brand has been hard. Sitting up late at night with questions such as: How can I make this timeless and workable for all ages? What can I do to welcome everyone and break down the wall of gender roles for a product that the media for many years has dubbed as for females only? What can I do to make this company, and these products reliable?

Overcoming the common question among family and friends, “so what do you do now for work?” And trying to feel confident in what they do without the fear of it being brushed off as a hobby that has a time dubbed in their minds as a future failure. To be honest, I still struggle with this daily, but what I can do for myself and as a role model to others is take great pride in my work and own it when I say, “ I make Nail Polish.”

Acknowledging messing up is ok and not being hard on yourself, to stand back and say what can I do to fix this? From globs of nonsensical colors to changing manufacturing for bottles and bushes that failed in quality and consistency. There are times you have to see that you learn and grow from those experiences and you should never stop growing as a person and as a company.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We are working on skin care products. With the dry weather in Colorado I am working on body oils and much more for ways to help alleviate dry skin that many of us deal with during this winter season. With nail polish comes cuticle and skin care naturally. The research into ingredients on the benefits and even down to the sustainability of them as well has been a huge eye opener and I hope to make reliable products that are also eco friendly.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
There are many ways to network, one place where I found my industry thrives is Instagram. Networking with swatchers whose entire business is to not only take viral-worthy photos but to know the ins and outs of great polish. Consistency, opacity, where and how to wear it, workability, and more. Put the word out, looking for testers, looking for swatches, opening up that line of communication that you want an honest opinion and want to know how you can collaborate.

Another networking opportunity I like is simply asking friends around you. Friends and coworkers who have degrees in marketing, business, and digital design or may have had prior jobs in relevant industries. While making gorgeous products is one thing, looking at the big picture is key. Ask yourself where do I want this business to go. Do I want it to turn into the next Essie? Do I want to be in boutiques or online only? And determining the big picture of what your brand is. Open up that conversation and listen to what their experience has been like.

Pricing:

• Nail Polish $7.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.palafoxiabeauty.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palafoxiabeauty/
• Other: http://www.etsy.com/Shop/PalafoxiaBeauty