We were lucky to catch up with Mary Harcourt recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Mary, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
“Your most significant frustrations can also lead to profound revelations.”
During that time, I managed a popular lash spa in Los Angeles, Hermosa Beach, to be precise. We prided ourselves as the highest-rated salon in the area, with a consistently packed appointment schedule. One of our biggest frustrations was the lighting.
As an eyelash extension artist, the delicate process involves isolating a single natural eyelash and carefully applying a synthetic lash with adhesive, creating an alluring set of eyelashes. Lighting played a pivotal role in this intricate art, yet it was a constant struggle among my staff and me.
I had replaced our lights numerous times, each time encountering new problems. Some lights would overheat, turning the room into an unbearable sauna, forcing us to crank up the air conditioning, and leading to our common practice of providing clients with blankets for warmth. Ring lights introduced frustrating shadows, making it a constant struggle to achieve the perfect lighting balance.
The lights were confined to either side of the bed, creating a frustrating scenario where one side of the client’s face basked in light while the other remained in darkness. Attempts to add supplementary lighting resulted in loud, top-heavy fixtures prone to toppling onto resting clients with closed eyes. You can imagine the startle of a falling light.
The beauty industry is huge, and it’s only growing bigger year after year. How has no one made a light for the beauty service providers? The frustrations mounted. I had no other lights to bring in for us to try. I had exhausted all my options and still had not found a working lighting solution.
I realized that if I could develop a lighting solution to address our salon’s needs, it could benefit countless professionals across various industries worldwide. With this newfound motivation, I sketched my vision on a napkin, beginning a journey I was not expecting.
Our prototype came in, and when we plugged it in, it was love at first light. Looking back now, it’s comical how the light was so raw, unfished, and wires hanging out everywhere. I’m not even sure it was safe to use! Nevertheless, it provided us with a starting point, and from there, we dedicated ourselves to perfecting the product until it was ready for production.
We opened for pre-orders before we began shipping. Selling out of our first and second batch immediately was a sure sign that we were on to something. Over the past three years, CosmoGlo has grown to be an industry leader, entering overseas markets, expanding our product line, and introducing new ideas. We are just getting started on a very bright future.
Having first-hand frustrations gave me the know-how to create a product that fixed the paint points, delivered results, and was something that never existed before. We’ve been fortunate enough to be awarded our design patents and continue increasing our market reach. My purpose is to create products for the creative industry.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I entered the workforce at a young age, driven by a strong work ethic and a passion for seeing results. The process of working towards a goal always fulfilled me. Over the years, I juggled multiple jobs, each with its purpose. One was to pay my bills; The others were to follow my dreams. I didn’t know what I wanted at the time, but I knew I was working towards something.
One day in my early twenties, my roommates announced they were moving on, and I would be left with the place by myself. With our lease coming to an end, I also chose to make a change. I planned to travel. I got rid of everything I owned; I quit my job. I tapped into my savings and embarked on an adventure that lasted over two years.
During that time, I explored numerous countries, ate amazing foods, witnessed incredible sights, and absorbed invaluable lessons. Our world is diverse, the people in it and the backdrops we live in.
Witnessing the resourcefulness and creativity of people worldwide impacted my perspective on life and my approach to problem-solving. I truly think it’s part of the reason I was able to create the CosmoGlo light and change the world.
I realized that people across the globe were improving their lives through resourcefulness and innovation. If they could do it, why not me? I’ve slow traveled through 64 countries with a goal of hitting 100 before I pass into another universe.
Returning to the States, I jumped back into working several jobs. I was always a hard worker that gave it all. In hindsight, I recognize that I had an entrepreneurial spirit within me; it just needed the right conditions to emerge. I floated through a few jobs, moved to California, and worked in a pretty active area of Silicon Valley.
It was the first time I saw things happen from the ground up. Witnessing conversations I would overhear and then months later see an add for a new product released. I was absorbing everything I could as though I was a magnet. Living around this innovative energy also left a mark on me. It broke down the barriers of someone getting lucky and showed me that it’s not luck. It’s perfectly playing your hand.
These things you go through in life imprint on you. Ready to travel more, I packed up my apartment and set out for an adventure again. This time I was starting in South Africa and, six months later, ending in Kenya.
From that trip, I landed in Los Angeles. All of my lessons came to a head there. I could work for someone else, or I could do it myself. I opened up a lash spa and got smacked in the face with the harsh reality of business ownership that I was unprepared for. I had never worked harder and made less money in my entire life. I took some business courses and learned how to turn that ship around, and boy, did that turn around beautifully.
I go back to experiencing things in life – they are so fun at the moment, but they can also help form a brighter future for you. My present day is an accumulation of my past experiences.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Resourcefulness, adaptability, and grit.
Some individuals will look at the problem and say, ‘I don’t have all the right pieces to make it work. Resourceful people say, “Here are the pieces I have; let’s make this work.”
When faced with adversity, some may complain that things aren’t going according to plan and give up. Adapatble people say, here’s where we are, how do we make it work from here?
And then there’s grit – that unyielding determination. Many may consider throwing in the towel in the face of challenges, but those with grit know they can overcome anything. They declare, “Today’s challenges will not deter me from my ultimate goal.”
I want to share a valuable perspective for those just starting their journey.
I will only take advice from individuals who fall into one of three categories: those whom I would gladly trade places with, those who have successfully navigated similar challenges themselves, or those who have faced life’s demanding situations and earned their credibility.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Repeating the magic.
CosmoGlo came from understanding the needs of a service provider. As we venture into new industries, such as the tattoo world, medical, nails, and makeup. I am having to work harder to understand the pain points they are facing in their lighting so we can address them and deliver an innovative light to change the game for their industry as CosmoGlo has done for the lash industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecosmoglo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecosmoglolight/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellomaryharcourt
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryharcourt/
Image Credits
Ony the male holding the light is Tiffer Wright, or IG @tifferwright The rest are all ours
