This week, we put the spotlight Sarah Di lorio, Founder and Managing Director of Organika Hair, who has two luxurious Salons in Melbourne. Organika Hair leads the way for toxic-free, organic and biodynamic products in the hair industry. Sarah and her team are passionate about delivering exceptional results whilst ensuring the best for your health, their staff and the environment.
1. How did the idea for Organika come about?
I started as a passionate hairdresser as a young teenager and left high school early like most trades back in my day. After several years as a senior hairdresser, I, and many of my clients had adverse reactions to colours and common hair products. Seeing the effects of products on people’s eyes, scalps and skin was the catalyst to understanding more about healthy products and services in the hair industry. These reactions were especially worrying for young children and pregnant women. I decided that staff and clients deserved an alternative that enabled them to look and feel fantastic without the compromises – and Organika Hair was created as a direct realisation of that vision 14 years ago
2. Did you start the business before or after you started thinking about having children?
Before having children, but I continued to work once my children were born.
3. For many women there is fear around balancing kids and business, what are your thoughts on this?
Life is always a balancing act. I’ve learnt over the years to prioritise things in my life better. So, things that I perhaps used to do before kids might take a back seat now, but it hasn’t stopped me from growing the brand whilst trying to be the best Mum I can.
4. What have been the biggest challenges for you as both a mum and a business owner? How do you balance the two?
The challenge is mostly dealing with some form of guilt. The guilt of feeling like you are prioritising something or somebody else. The truth is, you need to recognise that feeling guilty doesn’t help anybody and you’re best investing that energy into more positive things.
5. How do you think you defined success before motherhood? Has your idea of success changed or stayed the same?
I don’t think it’s really changed at the point of having kids because I think the definition of success is always changing. Defining success evolves over time regardless if whether it’s before or after kids.
6. What do you do when you're feeling overwhelmed or burned out?
I believe in a circuit breaker – something like some time away at the beach, a holiday or just being away from everyday routine.
7. What or who inspires you the most in day to day life?
My kids. By that I mean they continue to inspire me to be better. They inspire me to grow and learn and they teach me things about myself I never knew!
8. What advice do you have for other mums who want to start their own business?
Don’t let the fear stop you. You have to give it a shot or you’ll always wonder what if? You can make it work
9. Any resources you love and think others need to know about?
I try to use things that help your mental mindset. Things like the Eckhart Tolle & Oprah Winfrey podcast – A New Earth – all the way through to things that are inspiring and thought-provoking like Matthew McConaughey – Greenlight. Anything that helps give a different perspective on things.
10. If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, before starting your business, what would it be?
Don’t be so hard on yourself and don’t try and please everybody.
11. Finally, we love hearing about morning beauty/wellness routines, tell us about your “getting ready” routine non-negotiable items.
I can’t start my day or end my day without a shower. In the morning, I’m a sucker for products like eye creams, serum, moisturiser and sunscreen. I can’t leave the house without mascara!
Inspired by: Sarah Di lorio, Organika Hair Back to blog
