“Be prepared to be vulnerable” with Gabrielle Harrison, Founder of SISH Beauty

Gabrielle Harrison is a Licensed Esthetician and Founder of SISH Beauty, a waterless skincare brand launched in 2023. SISH stands for Skin Is Simple Here. It takes a minimalist approach to skincare and uses waterless formulas to do away with any unnecessary ingredients, packaging or steps. The inspiration behind SISH is to give anyone who wants to take better care of their skin the confidence to do so.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

A: I always had a passion for beauty, and the first career I wanted to pursue was a makeup artist. Unfortunately I put this aside for something more “practical,” so I got my degree in business and worked in corporate marketing. My first job was financial marketing, but then I moved to Miami for a job in branding where I helped launch and develop new beauty brands. This reignited my love for beauty, and I ultimately decided to go back to school and get my license to become a Medical Esthetician. I’ve now worked as a Medical Esthetician for the past 8 years.

What inspired you to start your business?

A: Clients in my treatment room. I heard the same questions/problems over and over again. “I want to take better care of my skin, but I don’t know how. I need something simple. Where do I start?” Ultimately, the solution I came to was a waterless skin treatment that could serve as the starting point for any skincare routine.

Where is your business based?

A: Miami, Florida.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

A: Once I had the idea, I began contacting chemists to find someone who could formulate it. I knew how I wanted the product to function, but I didn’t know what components it would require. When I found the right chemist and confirmed the product was possible, I began the work into developing the branding of SISH. 

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

A: Word of mouth and advertising. Customers who love the product are the best ambassadors. For growing awareness I’ve found paid advertising to be the easiest and fastest way to grow and gain an audience. Also, running ads gives you great insight into telling you who your target customer is.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

A: Manufacturing was my biggest challenge. Because my product is the first of its kind, it was very difficult finding the right solution to manufacturing it. I originally invested in my own tablet press machine for my manufacturer to use, but that didn’t end up working so I eventually partnered with a third party manufacturer.

How do you stay focused?

A: Organization. I’m a mom of 2 young kids, so schedule is everything. I have certain blocks of time when I know I can work, and time when I need to be a present mom. Because I don’t have all day to work, I make the most of the time I do have and always have a plan for what I need to get done.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

A: The skincare world is a confusing and intimidating place. My goal with SISH is to prioritize simplicity and be a brand that gives anyone who wants to take better care of their skin the confidence to do so.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

A: Running promotions and featuring them only on Instagram Stories. Whenever I do these I get a lot more traction and engagement. It’s important to leverage Stories as an integral part to both community engagement and sales.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

A: Know your brand’s “why” and the problem you’re solving. Also, be prepared to be vulnerable. In today’s world, people want to know the person behind the company. If you’re not ready to put yourself out there, you’re doing your brand a huge disservice.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

A: My favorite apps are Slack, Canva and Capcut. These three make working on the go so much easier. I favor Podcasts over blogs, and some of my favorites are Skincare Anarchy, How I Built This and The Mel Robbins Show. I love these three because they each cover topics I love learning about: skincare, entrepreneurship and self-development. One of my favorite books is “Mind Shift” by Erwin Raphael McManus. Especially as an entrepreneur, I believe it’s crucial to always keep your mindset in check. It’s so easy to fall into traps of self-doubt, and these traps can be huge hindrances to your progress. Books like “Mind Shift” are fantastic resources for keeping yourself on a positive trajectory.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

A: ChatGPT. I think ChatGPT is a fantastic resource for brainstorming new ideas or approaches and helps devise more organized/strategic ways to execute these things.

Who is your business role model? Why?

A: Jamie Kern Lima. She’s the founder of IT Cosmetics and was a true disruptor in the beauty industry. Her story is a testament to authenticity and always staying true to what you/your brand stands for, even when everyone tells you it's the wrong approach.

How do you balance work and life?

A: I make an intentional decision to be fully present in whatever I’m engaged with at that moment. So if I’m working, it’s 100% work. With my kids, it’s 100% mom. With my husband, 100% wife. The list goes on! I find if there’s too much overlap with trying to constantly multitask and play multiple roles then nothing ever gets your full attention and the outcome will always be subpar.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

A: Walking. I love taking long walks. Sometimes I just walk and let my mind wander, other times I call up my Dad or a good friend and talk about life. My walks always make me feel more relaxed and happier.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

My goals for 2025 include expanding SISH’s presence across new platforms and using the information I’ve gathered from this past year to really dial in what the SISH brand is about and how to more effectively speak to our target audience.

How can our readers connect with you?

On instagram, you can follow @sish_beauty for all things SISH. I post on Stories regularly and like to share skincare tips there. You can also follow my personal brand account @gabyisyouresty for skincare advice, at-home treatments and my favorite makeup/skincare products.