Fig and Star named after Figaro and Starla – two shelter dogs who were saved from a Los Angeles County animal shelter by Terra DiSpirito. Terra, a Los Angeles County animal shelter volunteer, started this company to provide beauty products that keep you looking great while helping other dogs as she does. Partial proceeds from sales will go to help save shelter animals looking for forever homes. We had to take the opportunity to pick the brain of Fig and Star’s founder, Terra DiSpirito, to find out about what motivated her to create these much-needed products, how she chooses and sources!
Can you give us an idea of who your clients are?
We cater to all people who are looking to use high-quality beauty products at an affordable price. We even have products for those with furry family members too!
Tell us a little about yourself and your business. Why did you select it and how did you get started?
I have been in the hair game for over 25 years. As a native of Los Angeles, I apprenticed and worked at many celebrity favorite salons with some of the most respected stylists in the business. My work at these salons gave me firsthand interaction with many high-profile clients and provided me with invaluable hair coloring and cutting experience. Over the years, I also learned what my clients look for and want from their beauty products and utilized that knowledge to experiment and develop my own products.
About 5 years ago, I also decided to start volunteering at a Los Angeles County animal shelter to give back to my community. It soon became clear to me that I had to do something more to help the animals that found themselves stuck in the shelters. This is the inspiration for what has become Fig & Star. I combined my love for hair and animals and started developing the company concept in early 2019. I launched online in March 2020 with partial proceeds from sales being donated to rescues and to pay pull fees at shelters. Trying to help save as many animals as I can!
What are some of your favorite things about what you do?
I love being able to develop high-quality beauty products that help people feel good about the way they look and feel, all while giving the education needed to maintain healthy hair at home. While animal shelter work can be tough emotionally at times, it is very rewarding to know that Fig & Star has been able to help animals find forever homes.
Can you describe your brand in just three words?
Hair, Nails, Animals
For those unfamiliar with Fig & Star, which product is certain to kick-start an addiction?
Wow! This is a tough one! All our products are certain to kick-start an addiction, but our very first product, the Fig & Star Leave-In Treatment, is an excellent choice. Our Leave-In Treatment is specifically formulated to help smooth and hydrate, as applying it to fried and dyed hair is extremely important to maintain healthy ends and protect color treatments. On top of that, it is vegan and paraben-free!
How is Fig & Star different than the other nail and hair product companies?
We stand out from the rest because we not only offer excellent hair and beauty products, but we donate a portion of our profits to help save shelter animals in need!
Can you talk to us about your inspiration? How do you dream up the names of your products?
I touched on it a bit above, but my inspiration for Fig & Star comes from my customers and clients, and the animals I interact with at the local animal shelters. My personal shelter rescues at home provide me with the drive to continue forward on a daily basis. Our products are named after family, friends, and our animals! I want to make the brand as personal as possible.
Anything else you would like to tell us about your business?
I am a woman-owned, small business, and I love what I do! My passion to stay educated, help people (and animals!) look and feel good, and keeping a positive, fun-loving attitude helps me get through the day-to-day grind of running a business.
How do you balance work and life?
This is a challenge! I have two small children and I also work full-time doing hair. I stay up late and don’t sleep much, but I love hustling. I really try to make every moment in my day mean something! Being based in California, the pandemic restrictions have really given me more time to focus on Fig & Star as the personal services sector has been closed for quite some time.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?
Take the risk and don’t be afraid to fail. There will be bumps in the road along the way but use those bumps to grow and expand your horizons. You never know what you can achieve until you try!
What is your current mission?
Continue to develop and sell amazing products while saving as many animals as possible!
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