Building, Bootstrapping and Selling Wrinkle Schminkles | Gabrielle Requena

Gabrielle Requena, founder of Wrinkle Schminkles, shares how she turned a personal skincare problem into a global, bootstrapped brand sold in more than 22 countries.She discusses creating a new category, navigating copycats, Shark Tank, viral growth, international expansion and the realities of building a business without outside investment. Gabrielle also reveals how she prepared Wrinkle Schminkles for acquisition, decided it was time to exit and what life looks like after selling the business.Key Takeaways1. Be ready when opportunity strikesGrowth can come from unexpected places, but the businesses best positioned to benefit are the ones that have already built strong foundations.2. Build a business that can operate without youPreparing for an exit meant strengthening the brand, team, DTC channel, wholesale presence and international markets so the business could thrive beyond its founder.3. Know when it's time to move onAfter ten years, Gabrielle recognised that she was no longer enjoying the day-to-day in the same way. Understanding when your goals have changed can be just as important as knowing how to grow.