In this compelling talk at a 2018 Female Founders Conference in New York, Mariya Nurislamova, the Scentbird CEO, candidly recounts her entrepreneurial journey, filled with equally missteps and breakthroughs. The movie, lasting just below 18 minutes, captures the essence of her story—ambition, resilience, and the power of pivoting properly.
The Birth of the Enthusiasm Project
Mariya’s journey started from a place of non-public disappointment. As being a self-proclaimed “fragrance junkie,” she found regular perfume buying too much to handle—the scent counters, the pushy sales clerks, even the infamous espresso bean palate cleansers provided no real Resolution. Her eyesight: to permit individuals to find fragrances with the convenience of their properties.
Driven by this idea, the group launched an MVP with no validating with any authentic prospects—what she refers to as “the calendar year of distress.” For the duration of that time, they wasted assets setting up numerous iterations, like six variations of the scent recommender, without the need of recognizing whether or not any person would really purchase it.
Pivoting Toward a Viable Design
Right after months of trial and mistake—and acquiring expended nearly all their financial savings—they recognized the necessity to monetize in different ways. Their very first product associated providing sample scent kits at $9. It scarcely worked; buyers didn’t adhere to up with buys. Subsequent, they experimented with sending full-dimensions bottles totally free and permitting clients return what they didn’t like. That, far too, failed—resulting in a staggering 30% fraud fee.
Then arrived the defining instant. A mentor—Michael Seibel from Y Combinator—challenged Mariya: Imagine if shoppers don’t want just one signature scent? What whenever they wanted assortment? That insight led to their breakthrough: a subscription model presenting a thirty-working day source of designer fragrances for under $fifteen. The turnaround was rapid—one hundred and five orders in a single week. For Mariya, this was proof that persistence and experimentation compensated off.
The Darkest Hour—in addition to a Lesson in Resilience
Regardless of the early victories, challenges persisted. When facing buyers all through Demo Working day, Mariya and her co-founders have been met with skepticism; just one investor pitched conditions so unfavorable it Pretty much derailed the corporate. Nevertheless, Mariya refused to simply accept nearly anything a lot less than what she thought the organization deserved. Against the chances—and after months of rejections—they observed their path forward.
The Takeaways from the Founder’s Confession
Validate just before setting up – Mariya’s reflection exhibits why even passionate founders ought to initial fully grasp their customers, not only depend upon gut instinct.
Be open to pivots – Leaders who adapt and uncover new business types usually tend to thrive. For Scentbird, the change to the membership design was mariya nurislamova transformative.
Search for mentorship but maintain your worthy of – Michael’s dilemma prompted the correct pivot, but Mariya’s refusal to accept lowball expense terms highlights the sensitive balance between humility and assurance.
Celebrate small wins – Those people a hundred and five orders were extra than just numbers—they represented hope, validation, in addition to a raise off from the brink of failure.
Mariya Nurislamova’s Leadership Existence
As being a storyteller, mariya nurislamova captures awareness with humility and authenticity. She recounts her “12 months of distress” with humor, acknowledges errors without shame, and wears her early struggles like badges of honor. It’s not talent by yourself that defines her—it’s tenacity, mentorship, and perception in her eyesight.
What's more, because the scentbird ceo, she embodies the ethos of her corporation: innovation, accessibility, and democratizing an often unique sector. She built fragrance discovery approachable and reasonably priced—and through sheer dedication, designed not only a product, but a meaningful System.
What It Means for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Mariya’s communicate is instructive for anybody creating a startup—Specifically Females founders navigating a male-dominated tech and beauty landscape:
Are unsuccessful rapid, understand quick – Early setbacks are painful, Nevertheless they travel smarter choices.
Leverage Group – YC’s aid presented not just funding, but important assistance.
Determine your value – Know your worthy of and stay real to your vision, even though others don’t see it but.
Lean into your enthusiasm – Her love for fragrance was the spark. Despite the stumbles, it grounded her mission and stored her heading.
Remaining Reflection
The feminine Founders Meeting video is greater than a presentation—it’s a masterclass in perseverance. It’s a tribute on the gritty, normally messy journey of building one thing meaningful. Mariya Nurislamova, the Scentbird CEO, doesn’t just share her accomplishment—she invites us driving the scenes: for the stress, the panic, the pivot, and also the breakthrough. Her Tale is evidence that with curiosity, courage, and just the proper nudge, a founder can flip missteps right into a motion.