Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is Lily Tse, who founded the Think Dirty app to educate consumers about the potentially toxic ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. What was the inspiration behind the idea? Find out in today’s profile…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your business in a nutshell.
Think Dirty app is the easiest way to learn about the potentially toxic ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products. We make reading ingredient lists simple, easy and fun.
Why did you start your business, what was the inspiration?
I was inspired by this animation by Annie Leonard called “Story of Cosmetics,” which examined the pervasive use of toxic chemicals in our everyday personal care products. Because of my potentially higher risk factor for cancer due to family history, I care about my health through healthy lifestyle, which includes environmental factors. Finding safer alternatives for myself was a huge challenge. Although many products are labelled “all-natural” or “organic,” there is little transparency in labelling cosmetics. Beauty is a big part of every woman’s lifestyle; I wanted to develop and create something not only for myself, but for others as well, and that’s how Think Dirty was founded.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part is working on my own dream project, using my skills and talents for a cause I deeply believe in every day. At the same time, I’m empowering people through educating them on cleaner shopping habits.
The most challenging part is, like most small business owners, you have to multi-task on all different job functions, from managing developers to designing the interface, to business development and pitching. I just asked myself what my passion was and if this was really what I believed in, and the answer was an astounding “Yes!” I wasn’t going to give up, and each small victory becomes a motivation to push myself and the team to go further.
Where do you see your business going in 5 years?
Think Dirty will be on everyone’s smartphones. What we do will be impacting the lives of millions of women and men around the world.
What does success look like to you?
Success is many things, and each person has their own definition. It’s important to not to let others define your own success. Most typical metrics for others are financial and fame. Those are important, but I believe there are also other important factors to this equation, like freedom and happiness.
Doing what you love is freedom, loving what you do is happiness; being self-fulfilled, making the world a better place when I leave than when I found it without compromising my values
and being who I am.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Being interviewed by Global News and City TV, and having Think Dirty app being mentioned on the news and App Central TV show.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
I will borrow one of my favourite quotes. Hillary Clinton at the 1992 Wellesley commencement speech, her advice to all young women college graduates at the time: “Hold on to your dreams, whatever they are.” It’s easy for women to give up their dreams for all realities in life – money, boyfriends, family and other circumstances – but life is too short to not work on what you are passionate about.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Yes I do, I support causes related to environmental justice, health, women’s rights and animal rescue.
Breast Cancer Fund and Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. They are our charity partners for Think Dirty and we just finished a campaign raising close to $20K for our launch.
Environmental Defence Gala planning committee. I am on of the planning committee for their annual gala to raise funds. They do important work for reducing toxins in consumer products and other environmental conservation.
I donated for classrooms at CSI and volunteered for Ladies Learning Codes as a mentor; I love their work on educating women in tech.
I also support David Suzuki Foundation, Malala Fund and the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation.
What is Notable to you?
Meaning, purpose and knowing that I have made and will continue to make an impact to better the lives of others.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone.
How do you keep active, energetic, and vibrant?
I love yoga, swimming and long walks. Exploring the world on foot is best for a clear mind for ideas and plans.