First Friday Female Founder Feature: Nikki Huebner
Little did I know way back at East Forsyth High School that my classmate would become an amazing entrepreneur, creating an entire line of beauty products that are not only good for your body and the planet but also support our community with contributions to Ronald Mc Donald House Charities of North Carolina. After losing her daughter in 2010, Nikki’s family wanted a way to keep bringing Chyler’s light to those around them, and becoming an entrepreneur was a tug Nikki felt in her heart. She quit her 16-year career in the dental / medical device field to fully dive into this endeavor, and she’s never looked back, sharing her amazing products from Raleigh, NC, across QVC, to beauty schools nationwide and via sales on EndureBeauty.com. Nikki is a force for good, and she amazes me every day. I know you’ll be equally impressed. Enjoy this peek inside the mind and heart of this absolute rock star!
Nikki Huebner is a mother, inventor, serial entrepreneur, and a freelance writer for multiple publications where she shares her knowledge of the lash and skincare world. Her studies and 16-year career were originally in dentistry, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene and Biology, then a 4-year clinical career, and finally, she sold medical devices for oral and maxillofacial surgery until the launch of Endure™ Beauty. Her charitable brand, Endure™ Beauty, is modernizing and broadening the horizons of the Lash Industry as it currently stands and continuing to hit the organic beauty market with rapid growth. Her innovative organic products, such as Endurelash® Organic Eyelash Cloths, and the Endure™ Under Eye Gel Therapy Pads, are add on products that have shown to increase the hygiene, maintenance and luxury of the lash extension service in general, as well as add increased revenue to the accomplished Lash Artist today! Also, her clean beauty philosophy is captivating the organic beauty markets, even women's fashion boutiques! The heart and soul behind the Endure™ Beauty Brand are the charitable aspects. Nikki lost a daughter in a tragic accident back in 2010. So, her true-life mission is to give back HOPE through, Chyler's Family Room Projects, an extension of the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Her dual-purpose creations now dominate the organic skincare world and will always create a more luxurious and safer alternative lash extension consumer experience. Endure beauty, organic with an edge!
First Friday Female Founder Feature:
Nikki Huebner
How would you describe your company and the products / services you offer?
Endurelash is our Professional Brand-where we partner with licensed beauty artist for the lash extension client service. We train and certify licensed professionals and are our lash extension techniques, innovations, and products throughout the brand are included in the educational curriculum in varying beauty schools across the nation. We also train and certify licensed professionals all over the USA and expanding into Canada. There is a retail sector for the Endurelash Brand as well that includes reusable lash bands and lash aftercare tools.
EndureBeauty is our Organic Facial Skincare Brand which is a consumer facing or retail focused skincare product. However, our facial skincare is also utilized backbar in the spa and salon setting as upgrades to varying lash and spa services, hence creating more revenue for the professional and studio/salon.
Endure Productive is a fulfillment warehouse located in Creedmoor, NC where we kit, pack, design packaging, fulfill, and ship for both of my Endure Brands, but also many other amazing brands across the nation! We work closely with QVC/HSN and many other big box retailers in the world!
Why did you start your company?
It all happened by chance. I wanted to give back to my late daughter, Chyler Nicole’s charitable cause, and happened to innovate a product that never previously existed for lash extension aftercare. So, I was also filling a void in an industry I was a favored consumer in. It honestly all happened by chance. I had no clue what I was doing. And I am still learning something new every single day. I am by no means an expert on this thing called, LIFE. I ask questions; I study and research to keep my mind moving and shaking. I still to this day, five years later, dive in headfirst when I feel the creative notion to do so. So, I am a true entrepreneur or “risk taker” at heart. LOL.
Endure, LLC is my company of beauty focused products, which started on May 10, 2017.
Endure Productive was a previously owned company that I purchased at revamped on February 1, 2019.
Chyler Nicole Huebner, Nikki’s late daughter
What has been the most rewarding part of your journey in founding this company?
Being able to give my own charitable contributions to the Family Room Projects of NC. An extension of the RMCH of NC. Several of the rooms have been dedicated to my late daughter, Chyler Nicole Huebner, and we help to sustain a grant in her memory that aids in sustaining the five family rooms across NC.
About what are you most proud?
The Endure Team and relationships I have developed along the way. Because without the people that help this vision exist, there would be no ENDURE. Every single person working for this brand, MATTERS. I could NOT do this without a ton of help!
Are you naturally organized, was it a skill you learned or is it something with which you regularly struggle, and what tips or tools do you use to stay your most organized?
Well, I am “naturally” OCD, LOL, have anxiety-even pre-tragedy of losing my daughter, and ADHD, so my level of organization could be questioned by some, I guess. But it works for me! I am a mother FIRST, have three amazing boys, Lauchlin, Davitt, and Stratton, and my angel baby Chyler. Yes, she is remembered daily, as if she is still here with us. She lives in our hearts and that is a special and sacred place that many of us forget about in this chaotic and sometimes cruel earthly world. So, I am organized despite all my “imperfections” that have now been passed down to my boys, lol. So, I tell them they have “superpowers.” Just as I told them when they were younger that Chyler is an angel in Heaven, like their favorite superhero, they understood that.
Who’s the one person who changed your life, and why?
Oh, this is SO HARD- there are so many people that have changed my life-for better or worse. I cannot name just ONE! Our social, family, and random stranger interaction all creates a web of each person’s individual story. The beauty of diversity, no two humans are alike-yet we are all the same. Each with our own unique journey to share with the world.
Nikki demonstrating one of her favorite products
What words of wisdom would you have for someone who is overwhelmed with staying organized and / or productive?
Take time off-even if it is ten or thirty minutes. Breathe, PRAY, say a word of gratitude to yourself every single day-even if you are mad as hell at something or someone. Self-Care-BOUNDARIES, it is OK to Say “NO!” It is OK to have people not see eye to eye with you-KEEP GOING. Lordy, I could go on… and I am 100% not proficient in ANY OF THESE, LOL!
Do you use technology to help stay productive or organized? If so, what’s your favorite program, app or tech tool?
HECK NO, I am the worst with technology, I have the old school handwritten day planner! I tried the phone calendars etc., but I rarely stare at my phone, and sometimes ignore the sounds that come from it-like “PING, Nikki, you’re supposed to be at a meeting 45 minutes away from where you are standing RIGHT now!” OOPS! Therefore, I found that writing it down and opening my planner to write something down as my brain stirs and random thoughts come, I will be where I am supposed to be. Even my new design creations are sketch or drafted concept turned digital.
How do you feel about work/life efficiency or integration in your life, including any tips or challenges for managing the personal and professional commitments in your life?
Take it DAY BY DAY-surround yourself with people who support you, your vision, and share the same ethics, passion, and heart as you.
About what causes are you most passionate?
Anything to HELP OTHERS, especially families who have lost a child, or children, have a sick child, or anything related to animals. I love fur babies too! I am also the person sometimes giving cash to the homeless person on the curb. I am extremely blessed, and I sometimes second guess myself on that one, but then I tell myself that person has faced a horrific hardship to be there, and who am I to judge.
What have you found to be the most effective way to relax after a long day or super long week?
Conversations with my boys, soaking in bath salts while listening to music, or complete silence and reflection.
What is your favorite author/book?
Not going to lie, I have zero time to read entire novels or chapter binding therapy, I wish I did, and after Chyler died, that is all I did-READ! I was not on social media until 2016, etc. So, I found peace in reading words on a page after her passing. I have no favorite author per se, but I prefer non-fiction, and real life told experiences in what I read. All beauty and fashion trends, and quotes of all kinds, depending on my mood or current life chapter.
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
Not sure if it is considered an official famous quote but, “KEEP GOING”.
Nikki’s three sons: Lauchlin, Davitt and Stratton
What are your go-to accessories?
Lashes, a cool pair of shoes, statement earrings, a tote, MY BOYS/FAMILY, MY Frenchie/Pepper, FAITH, and a SMILE.
What are the fundamentals of your beauty routine?
EndureBeauty organic face wash, lash wash, eye serum, toner, moisturizer, and EndureLash eye makeup removal cloth and drying cloth. Lash extensions, monthly facials, botox quarterly, brows, and I dabble in hair extensions for special occasions. Probiotics-which our skincare includes, vitamins, prayer, water, exercise, sleep (need more of this). I LOVE being a woman, Beauty is not about changing your look-its about enhancing the core beauty each of us are blessed with! And that comes from within!
What is your favorite food?
Not going to lie- JUNK FOOD-gross right-whatever-sour gummy candy, burgers, fries, pizza, etc. and I do eat those foods, alongside of my daily plant protein smoothie, lean meats, and veggies. I live by “everything in moderation.”
Of the locally-owned and -operated establishments in the place you currently live, which are your top 3 favorites and why?
OH, there are so many! It’s so hard to narrow it down; I love to shop small business and local.
MedSpa Beauty-BeautyCo of Raleigh-Kelly has stellar medical knowledge and conservative expertise in gracefully aging beauty…
Fashion-GenaChandler-trends and style that are still classic wardrobe staples
Grocery: The Butcher Market
What is your favorite place that you have visited?
NYC will always be my favorite city, and I have been all over the world.
What streaming show or movie could you watch on an endless loop?
Eat, Love, Pray…
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
To instill equality, compassion, and acceptance in everyone’s soul.
What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
KEEP GOING, KEEP LIVING, KEEP MAKING MISTAKES, FAIL and FAIL again, NO REGRETS, LOVE HARD, ACCEPT ALL YET STILL CREATE AND STAND TRUE TO YOUR BOUNDARIES, STAY JUST, WE HAVE NO CONTROL, TAKE IT DAY BY DAY, AND BREATHE.
If you could have lunch with anyone (living or deceased), who would it be and why?
My daughter Chyler, because even though we “spoke” to one another in her short 18 months on Earth, she was not fully speaking our definition of “full sentences.” But, trust me, she and I have had several conversations and always will. ENDURE XX
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