Get All Access for $5/mo

Founder of Essie Nail Polish Says Drive, Commitment and Passion Are the Secrets to Building a Successful Company Essie Weingarten says you have to live and breathe your brand and company mission.

By Nina Zipkin

When Essie Weingarten founded her iconic brand, she was a former department store hosiery buyer with a love for nail polish. She got her company off the ground based on the strength of her product and sheer conviction that consumers would love it. She went to countless trade shows and if she was driving down the street and saw a salon that could feature the Essie polish, she would stop the car, go right in and introduce herself.

Weingarten says her unfailing belief in her business propelled her to success. You have to be committed, you have to be passionate. You have to love what you're doing. If you don't, go get a job.

To hear more advice from the beauty founder, check out the video above.

Related: The Founder of Essie Reflects on the Evolution of Her Iconic Nail Polish Brand

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Marketing

5 SEO Hacks to Help You Rank Fast

Discover the best SEO hacks you can use to rank fast and avoid waiting for months to see results.

Starting a Business

Inside the Exclusive Private Club Devoted to Food, Wine and the Arts

Barrett Wissman breaks down the passions and partnerships behind his latest venture Domus Artium Reserve.

Business News

Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Employees from Using Apple Products, Says Will Lock Devices in 'Cages'

The Tesla founder sounded off on X following Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday.

Collaboration

Watch Out for These 5 Consequences of Too Much Collaboration

Beware of the collaboration trap! Too much collaboration causes overload, and well-intentioned efforts to have broad collaboration can backfire.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.