Founder Interview
Lazarus Douvos
Start with passion, and don't be shy to ask for the budget you need!!
So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself: where you’re from originally and where you live now.
Nice to meet you too! I'm Lazarus Douvos, a hairstylist and the founder of my brand, Lazarus Douvos, where I have my hair care line and the acclaimed ROSE 1845 eau de parfum. I'm originally from Australia, born to Greek immigrant parents, and I have been based in New York for the last 17 years!
Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.
The surprises New York showers me with daily!
Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?
It creates fragrances linked to my own love stories, which allows customers to connect to them in any way they want, and it makes people feel beautiful. Life is beautiful, and why not feel it too!
If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?
Start with passion, and don't be shy to ask for the budget you need!!
What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?
There are many, many who tell me they feel beautiful and smell divine, and that no one cuts hair like me. You are only as good as your last haircut!
Where do you see your company in the future?
That's always a question that pops up. I don't think of my company as something I started with an end date, or where it should be in 5 years or 10 years. I have no start or end; it doesn't need to be anywhere. As long as I can do what I love every day, then the company is where it should be.
What is the biggest misconception about your industry?
That hair should only follow what fashion does. I think it's much more personal than that. You can't put bangs on a client just because it's fashion right now. What's important is to keep your client feeling there are always options with their hair, and that I am up to date when they ask what's happening with hair this season. Perfume is something that I believe should be a fragrance you choose as your signature and keep for life! Trends like winter and summer, I don't believe in those. You choose the style that's you, and that becomes your signature.
What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?
I think it was that I wasn't clear when setting out a budget for investors that also included marketing. You can have a beautiful product, but with no marketing, no one will find you! Just be clear when presenting your ideas, and always include marketing!!
What was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?
Madonna. I don't care for sports, sorry, I don't!
Any shoutouts you want to make?
To my mother. She would always say, “Chase your dreams, never explain yourself to anyone, and always be you.”
Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?
