Pan-african beauty
Spoiler alert: now we South Africans can buy Pinky Goat lashes too!
Glamour: What inspired your business idea and how did you get started?
Maha Morley-kirk: I was the Head Franchise for Inglot Cosmetics for Lebanon when my husband was offered a fantastic new role in Saudi Arabia, so we decided to move there as a family. I’d worked full time since I was 16 years old, in various fashion and beauty businesses, so I decided I’d open my own, starting from my couch at home in Riyadh. I had many friends within the international makeup community, so I was well aware that there was a need for a professional lash brand that met their needs. I decided to meet those needs by starting Pinky Goat.
G: What challenges did you face? M M-K: My goodness, there have been many challenges as we’ve grown from selling a few lashes online to making them available in over 2 500 locations. Life’s about overcoming challenges, and I’ve been able to build a strong support team around me. As each challenge has arisen, we’ve always looked for ways to overcome it, without losing our sense of direction and purpose.
G: What’s the most rewarding part of your business?
M M-K: I love going into a beauty store, seeing Pinky Goat on the shelf and hearing a customer talking positively
about the brand. I remember walking into one on Oxford Street in London and seeing a half-empty display of Pinky Goat lashes. I asked the sales assistant why she was short of stock, and she explained that people loved the lashes and they couldn’t keep up with the demand. I felt so happy. I’ve loved seeing my team develop over the last five years and how passionate they are about the business.
G: What are your customers’ most pressing needs?
M M-K: Every person wants to look and feel great. I hope that’s the case when they wear a pair of my lashes.
G: Why did you launch a lash line? M M-K: My makeup artist friends used to tell me they had to buy lashes from several companies as there wasn’t only one company that could provide them with the range they needed. I decided to create a range that would enable them to buy from one brand.
G: What is it about lashes that elevates your entire appearance?
M M-K: My husband always says that if a woman can only choose two makeup items, it should be lipstick and false lashes, as, in his opinion, they enhance your beauty the most. Most women only wore lashes for parties or weddings, but now they wear them to work and even to be at home. Lashes are so lightweight and come in so many styles these days that you can change them throughout the day to suit the occasion.
G: What goals have you set for your business?
M M-K: We’ve gone from being a local brand to a major international one.
I hope we’ll continue to grow. We’ll open in many new markets later this year including Russia and India.
G: What’s your beauty mantra?
M M-K: I genuinely believe that beauty starts from within and that it’s part of having a positive lifestyle. Personal beauty shouldn’t be a treat; it should be an integral part of everyday life. I don’t have a mantra, but I find time to look after my skin, health and beauty.
G: What inspires you to be successful? M M-K: I believe people can achieve tremendous things and that everyone needs to have clear goals that are both short- and longterm. Wealth isn’t the only measure of success; you should also help others and do good things. I’m passionate and selfmotivated.
G: What do you think is the most significant barrier to female success?
M M-K: Barriers often don’t exist where people might think they are. In this day and age, there are more opportunities, information online about how to run a business and support groups for women than ever before. I think we’ll see more successful women in the future, which is a good thing.
G: What would you tell your 18-year-old self ?
M M-K: Hard work pays off. By the time I was 18, I’d already been working fulltime for three years, and had even moved to another country to get a better job, from Lebanon to Kuwait – I took my first plane trip outside of Lebanon to get that job when I was 17.
G: What motivates you?
M M-K: My family and my willingness to learn new things.
G: Your favourite beauty moment? M M-K: Watching my daughter put on lipstick – she’s only nine, so it seems to go everywhere!
G: If you could only use two makeup items, what would they be?
M M-K: Lipstick and, of course, Pinky Goat eyelashes.
“I believe people can achieve tremendous things, and that everyone needs to have clear goals, both short- and long-term”