Meet Kari Tribble

We were lucky to catch up with Kari Tribble recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kari, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

When I think of the word “resilience,” I smile with a proud response. As an indigenous person, resilience is a word we use to describe why we’ve survived genocide to still be here. When I think of my resilience, I think of my father, who was an AIM Leader and Treaty Rights activist, I think of my Grandmother, who was also an activist, and I think of my 4th degree great-grandfather, who was the Chief of our tribe and the one who signed treaties. Our word for wisdom in Anishinaabe is “nibwaakaawin, ” meaning “the light in our bones,” and is our way of describing epigenetics or the knowledge of wisdom that passes through each generation through our DNA. My resilience comes from my ancestors before me, and as I overcome challenges with determination, I add to it and pass it forward to the next generation.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the founder of Avari Beauty, an Indigenous-owned esthetician salon and beauty brand that offers a full spectrum of services—from advanced skincare and beauty treatments to brow artistry and body waxing. At Avari, we believe beauty is personal, empowering, and rooted in both innovation and care. We’re here to create intentional, inclusive experiences that help our clients feel confident in their skin, however they define beauty.

What makes Avari special is how we blend high-performance, cutting-edge treatments with a strong foundation in holistic wellness and cultural integrity. We’re always evolving to bring our clients the very best, and that includes introducing new trending services and staying on top of our education about them. For example, we are recently incorporating exosomes, PDRN, peptides, and growth factors in some of our facial services for powerful skin regeneration and healing.

One of the biggest things happening right now is that Avari Beauty is officially a franchise! We’re looking for passionate franchisees who align with our values and want to bring elevated, community-centered beauty experiences to new markets. It’s a huge milestone and we’re excited to grow our presence while staying true to our roots.

We’re also exploring the future of how we serve clients digitally—especially around using AI. While we’re in the early stages of that vision, it’s something we’re excited to develop to make expert beauty guidance more accessible to everyone.

Avari Beauty is more than a salon—it’s a movement rooted in care, culture, and confidence. And we’re just getting started.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities have been especially impactful in my journey: action, determination, and community.

First, take action. Don’t wait until everything is perfect—just start. Too many people get stuck in the planning phase, but clarity comes from doing. You’ll learn so much by being in motion, and you can always tweak and evolve as you go.

Second, stay determined. There have been plenty of moments where things felt uncertain or challenging, but I never saw giving up as an option. The key is to stay adaptable—if something feels blocked, that might just mean it’s time to pivot. Resilience is built through problem-solving and staying flexible.

And third, never underestimate the power of gratitude and community. Make time to reflect on what’s working, and lean into relationships—whether that’s with clients, fellow business owners, or organizations that exist to support you. There are amazing nonprofit CDFIs, grant programs, business fellowships, and educational resources out there, especially for small and marginalized business owners. Get involved with your local chamber of commerce, connect with your SBA office, and give back when you can. Being of service—both to your clients and your wider community—creates a powerful foundation for long-term growth.

For anyone just starting out: take the leap, stay grounded, and remember you’re not in it alone. There’s a whole ecosystem ready to support you—you just have to reach out and engage.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

One of the most impactful things my parents—specifically my father—did for me was believe in me without hesitation when I needed it most. At the time, I was a single mom with a 4-year-old son, recovering from thyroid cancer, and trying to figure out how to rebuild my life. I didn’t have much money, but I knew I wanted to create something of my own. I found a course to learn eyelash extensions, and I needed $1,500 to take it. Without hesitation, my father gave me that money.

What neither of us realized then was how life-changing that moment would be. That small investment turned into a career, then a salon, then a product line. Now I’m a commercial real estate owner and a franchise founder. All of that came from one act of unconditional support.

It showed me how powerful belief can be—how one person’s support, especially at a critical time, can shape the trajectory of an entire life. We often talk about building something from nothing, but the truth is, we build from the love, trust, and generosity of the people who show up for us when it counts.

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Image Credits

Photographer: MJ Denny

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