Beauty Expert, Shahada Karim

Entrepreneur Shahada Karim loves beauty.  She’s been a make-up artist since 1997, and in 2004 launched Habibi Bath & Body, an indulgent line of body care products made with organic ingredients.

But Habibi holds an even bigger title than the two above – she is an entrepreneur honoring generations of “home recipes” passed down through the women in her family. And luckily for us, she is letting the family beauty secrets out into the beauty market.

I was introduced to Shahada by mutual friend and powerhouse entrepreneur, Adrienne Graham. Describing Shahada’s line of Habibi products, Adrienne noted in her email “When I say this stuff is addictive, that’s an understatement. In fact, when the TSA confiscated my body balm because it was too big, I thought I was going to be arrested for having to beat him up. LOL!!!”

As if founding a beauty company and being a professional make-up artist wasn’t enough of a challenge, Shahada is also the beauty director at AGENDA Magazine, an online  fashion and lifestyle magazine that has been telling “the story behind the story” for over ten years.

Before you meet her below, read a sampling of Shahada’s insights and pithy self-descriptions:

• • • The Worst days can be tempered with the best outlook.
    • Loves Light.
    • Always moving forward.
    • It’s the way you say or do a thing that matters most.
    • “Cut Me Some Slack”… or don’t.  Either way, the sun rises tomorrow.
    • Curious about everything.
    • Looks for the positive and the potential.
    • I am a private person, completely uninterested in talking about myself. You never have to meet me, speak to me, or know me to enjoy the part of me that is manifest in the products that I manufacture.  Habibi is not about me.  It’s about you.
    • I’d rather be making soap than talking about making soap.
    • I like bouts of raw creativity.
    • One last thing: It matters how you treat people. 

What is your greatest fear?
 I don’t know.

Who are your heroes?
My Mother and Father.

What is your current challenge?
I don’t know.

What is your greatest achievement?
Identifying my potential, working past my perceived limitations, and finding the strength to say no, and mean it.

What is your motto?
Live to leave the best possible mark in your wake.

Why are you an entrepreneur?
Because I enjoy the act of creation. 

What problem are you solving?
I don’t identify obstacles or aversions as problems. Some of the things we think are problems are actually blessings in disguise because they alter our current course and put us on a more productive path. This is true about business problems, and human ones (friends, family, colleagues).

Which talent would you like to have?
I’d love to be able sketch like a pro. I come from a creative family, and beyond stick figures, I’ve never been able to make a picture come off the paper. It might explain why I turned to makeup as a profession during the course of my (spent) life.

Part of the trick to staying focused?
There is no trick. Just remember what you want.

Advice you wish you’d had (or had followed)?  
Say no, and mean it.

Your pitch in 140 characters?
I don’t pitch.

Your bio in 6 words?
Yogi, Artist, Lover, Friend, Free Spirit

Your nails on a chalkboard moment?
I haven’t had one yet.

iOs, Android or…?
Whichever serves my needs best.

The J.O.B. you’d actually like?
The one I have.

Biggest misconception about being an entrepreneur?
I actually don’t know. I either haven’t recognized, or refused to acknowledge any misconceptions that come with being an entrepreneur. 

Inc. or Rolling Stone? Which magazine cover?
Rolling Stone (duh J).  Cover of Rolling Stone — yes!

What are you reading?
YOU are Not Special (and Other Encouragements), by David McCullough, Jr.

What book is your must read?
The Plutocrats

What book did you read which would have been put to better use as a doorstop?
I won’t say, because the person who wrote it is likely to read this article at some point, and it was an accomplishment to write and publish the book.

If I wanted to do what you’re doing…what’s your advice?
Define your business. Define your customer. Save your money. 

Short cut, long route, road less traveled? What’s your roadmap?
Road less traveled.

Oscar, Grammy or Olympic Gold? Which honor and in what category?
Olympic Gold. Gymnastics.