Meet Sonia Singh

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sonia Singh a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sonia, 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?

Honestly? My resilience comes from a few places layered together:
First, purpose. When something I care about deeply is on the line, I don’t fold easily. Purpose gives pain a direction. It turns setbacks into data instead of defeat.
Second, pattern recognition. I’ve “seen storms before.” Once you survive a few hard chapters, your nervous system learns: this hurts, but it’s survivable. That memory becomes quiet strength.
Third, adaptability over ego. Resilience isn’t brute force. It’s the willingness to adjust, re-route, and evolve without seeing change as failure. Flexibility is underrated power.
Fourth, meaning-making. I don’t believe suffering is random. I treat it like a message: What is this shaping me for? That framing alone keeps me upright when things get heavy.
And finally, connection. Resilience isn’t solo grit. It’s knowing you’re not carrying everything alone—whether that’s people, belief, ritual, or inner dialogue that’s kinder than the world sometimes is.
If I flip it back to you for a second—resilience usually shows up after you didn’t think you had any left. You don’t wake up with it; you earn it quietly.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m the founder and CEO of Sonela Beauty, a clean, premium makeup brand rooted in the mind-skin connection. My background is in executive finance and operations, but my journey into beauty was deeply personal. As I advanced in my career, I noticed how stress began to show up on my skin—breakouts, dehydration, dullness—despite doing “all the right things.” That curiosity led me to research the role of cortisol and stress hormones on skin health, and I realized there was a missing conversation in beauty.
What excites me most about Sonela is that we’re not just creating makeup—we’re creating products that acknowledge real life. Our formulas are skincare-powered, infused with Ayurvedic-inspired adaptogens and science-backed ingredients, designed to support stressed, sensitive skin while still delivering performance and luxury. Everything is thoughtfully made in Italy, dermatologically tested, and built to meet the highest global retail standards.
Beyond product, Sonela is about intentional living. I want people to feel confident, grounded, and connected to themselves when they get ready, beauty as a ritual, not pressure. That philosophy shapes everything from our formulations to our packaging to how we show up as a brand.
We’re currently in an exciting phase of growth, expanding our product lineup and deepening our presence through pop-ups, media features, and new retail conversations. Each milestone feels especially meaningful because Sonela was built with purpose, resilience, and a long-term vision in mind—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?

Resilience was essential. Building something meaningful is rarely linear. There are setbacks, delays, and moments where the outcome feels uncertain. What helped me most was learning to separate temporary obstacles from my long term vision. My advice for anyone early in their journey is to normalize discomfort. If something feels hard, it does not mean you are doing it wrong. It usually means you are growing. Build habits that support your nervous system, not just your to do list, because stamina matters as much as talent.

Strategic thinking came from my background in finance and operations, and it shaped how I built my brand. Creativity is powerful, but direction is what turns ideas into reality. Early on, I focused on understanding how decisions compound and how formulation, positioning, supply chain, and storytelling all connect. For those starting out, I would suggest learning the fundamentals of your industry, even the unglamorous parts. Ask why things work the way they do, and think long term instead of chasing quick wins.

Finally, self trust was something I had to develop over time. There will always be opinions, advice, and noise, especially as a founder. Learning when to listen and when to hold your ground is a skill. I would encourage people early in their journey to spend time clarifying their values and vision. When you are clear on your why, decision making becomes much easier, and confidence follows naturally.

If I could offer one overarching piece of advice, it would be this: grow yourself at the same pace you grow your work. Your mindset, boundaries, and self belief will quietly shape everything you build.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The people who have helped me most are a mix of family, mentors, and lived experience.

My father has been especially influential. He is both a chemist and an entrepreneur, and watching him build businesses from the ground up taught me how to think analytically while staying deeply committed to quality. He showed me the importance of patience, precision, and doing things the right way, even when it takes longer. That foundation shaped how I approach product development and long term decision making.

I have also learned a great deal from mentors and peers who are building alongside me. Conversations with other founders helped me realize that many challenges are universal, even when they feel personal. Having people who understand the emotional and operational realities of entrepreneurship has been grounding and incredibly validating.

Equally important has been learning to trust my own experiences. Some of my biggest growth came from navigating challenges without a clear playbook. Each obstacle forced me to build resilience, sharpen my instincts, and deepen my self trust.

If there is one lesson I would share, it is that success is rarely built alone. Surround yourself with people who are honest, experienced, and supportive, but also give yourself permission to grow into your own authority. The balance between guidance and self belief is where real confidence is built.

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