Huda Kattan currently has more than 26 million Instagram fans and 2.3 million YouTube followers. Founder of the successful international hit, Huda Beauty, the Oklahoma City native turned Dubai-based cosmetic aficionado recently ranked 37th on Forbes America’s Richest Self-Made Women List and was included in Forbes’ Top 2017 Influencers in Beauty. Time magazine has called her one of the most influential people on the internet. And then there are her products. In 2013 the makeup artist and beauty influencer launched a series of false eyelashes in Sephora. Lip glosses, liquid lipsticks, eyeshadow palettes and foundations soon followed. (When she released her Highlighter Palette, one was sold every six seconds.) “I’ve learned to not be confined by my own limitations,” she said. “I think a lot of people are held back by the belief that they are only as big as they are, and can only dream so big. I remind myself of that all the time, and it has been such a life changing lesson for me and for the business.” In this week’s 5 Minutes with….CEW Beauty Insider snagged the 34-year-old entrepreneur long enough to answer a few questions about her success.

CEW Beauty Insider: Greatest accomplishment so far?


Huda Kattan: Getting our investors on board in December 2016 was a huge career highlight. It was a difficult decision for us to bring investors on, but we are so fortunate to work with partners who allow us to create magic and cultivate amazing things.


CEW: What’s something no one tells you when starting a business?


HK: People think you need a lot of money and a huge goal to start a business, but that’s simply not true. You can start small and build your empire from there. And when it comes to money…don’t spend your first paycheck on yourself! Reinvest it into the business because that money could be your next stock order. If you celebrate too soon, you won’t be able to fund your growth. It’s so important to be smart about how you spend money.

CEW: Best advice for newbies entering the business today?


HK: Starting a business is not a part-time job, and it isn’t 9 to 5 either. It can be a real challenge balancing your personal life with your business life. You also need to be ready to sacrifice a lot, and that sometimes means passing up on awesome opportunities. When you really want something you have to work for it, and stay laser focused on your goal.

CEW: What’s a mantra you live by?


HK: We used to hear that the sky is the limit, but that isn’t true. But you can go as far as you want to! When you think limitlessly, it changes the way you think, behave, operate and ultimately the way you react to situations. Evoke what is in your soul and do what feels right to you.

CEW: Which product (not your own) is your favorite and why?


HK: My all-time obsession is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum. I literally can’t imagine my skin without it! It’s packed with antioxidants, and since I’ve been using it my skin tone has become so even, and it’s improved my pigmentation and acne scars too.

CEW: If you were to write the note found in a fortune cookie, what would it say?


HK: The impossible is possible.