Advice from beauty entrepreneur, Maxine Laceby: Follow your dreams

If you ask me what I was born to do, I would say it’s to be a mother - not be a beauty entrepreneur.

Motherhood has been the most rewarding experience of my life. It’s a responsibility that I take incredibly seriously, and I use what I’ve learned from raising two kids in my business every day.

Recently, I was asked to host a talk on how I started Absolute Collagen and how I grew it into a successful brand at the UK’s leading festival for retailers, buyers and upcoming brands, Top Drawer.

I believe that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. My career as a beauty entrepreneur didn’t take off until I was 50 because I didn’t even have a career. I was happy as a stay-at-home mum.

Two years ago, you wouldn’t be wrong to be a little sceptical if I told you I wanted to launch a brand made from my own kitchen. There were already a few obstacles for me. I barely knew how to use a computer. I hadn't written a cheque in years, and I also have ADHD and dyslexia.

I see ADHD and dyslexia as gifts. They make me have to think around things and become solution-focused. At the time of starting Absolute Collagen, I hadn’t worked in 25 years and had no previous business experience but not for one minute did I let that stop me.

And I did it. I never let obstacles get in the way of my goal.

I believed in my product, I knew it worked and I choose to make it the best!  Sometimes, all it takes is having a fundamentally strong concept to start something incredible. 

Flash forward two years and here I am: being invited to talk about becoming a beauty entrepreneur and running a successful brand. 

Absolute Collagen has won prestigious awards and is now a leader in the UK for collagen supplements. We’ve expanded into different countries, and we have thousands of great reviews from #Absoluters all over the world because they love the product so much.

Dreams can be achieved even when they look unbelievable. As long as you keep your self-belief and know how to apply what you’ve learned then you can be capable of anything.

It’s been a brilliant two years and I would say that Absolute Collagen is still only starting out. Who knows what the future has in store? Hopefully, there’ll be more great years to come - I’m just going to keep on enjoying the ride.