Nabila Khashoggi Of Nabila K Cosmetics: Why We Need More Women Founders & Here Is What We Are Doing To Make That Happen
An Interview With Vanessa Ogle
Highlight and Celebrate Female Success Stories — As a country, we need to publicly celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs to inspire others and raise awareness of their contributions. Media coverage, awards, and speaking opportunities can help normalize female leadership and create a more inclusive narrative around entrepreneurship.
As a part of our series about “Why We Need More Women Founders”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nabila Khashoggi.
Nabila Khashoggi is the founder of the luxury skincare and home ambiance line Nabila K.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
I love skincare! My brothers and I grew up circling our father’s dressing areas, filled with his after-shaves, cologne creams, and bubble baths. That must have been where it all started for me. Until the day he passed, we would sit with him for his elaborate daily routine as his barber shaved him, trimmed his mustache, wrapped his head in hot towels, and always ended the session with lovely creams. Watching that translated into self-care, routine, respect for yourself, and a way to pamper yourself and do something nice for yourself.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Breast Cancer. Each year, 30% of females in the U.S. get breast cancer, and I was one of them. Diagnosed with the news ‘you have cancer’ was life-altering. I went through chemotherapy and several surgeries and learned about something I knew very little about. It might not have anything to do with my career, but it changed my perspective. I did some reflection and partnered with my body to recover. My journey deepened my appreciation for my family and
friends’ unwavering love and support, who have been my pillars of strength. They’ve shown me what it means to be cared for and supported, going above and beyond to ease my burden and lift my spirits. Cancer has taught me the importance of vulnerability and accepting help, allowing me to lean on others without hesitation. Facing this challenge has revealed my resilience and inner strength, teaching me that I can endure more than I ever imagined.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I roll out a new product, I’ll ask those around me to try it and give me their opinions. I was working on a marketing campaign for our compressed towels on this occasion. They are the kind of towels that are compacted into a small capsule. Once you add water, it expands to a nice size, suitable for traveling and on-the-go lives. They come individually wrapped in wrappers that look like candy wrappers. My assistant found one on her desk with a note to try it out. Thinking it was a mint, she popped it into her mouth and then realized something was wrong! If any lesson were learned, it would be to communicate clearly with those you work with. There have been plenty of mistakes, but funny mistakes don’t come to mind- I tend to find solutions quickly and move on. None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way.
Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
My family, husband, and sons are a big part of helping make it happen. I have a great team, including the creative, management, product development, etc. They are the engine that helps me keep it all going. My father had a keen instinct for product development and loved sampling anything new that I came out with. He gave me a sense of adventure. Forest Experience Bubble bath was our first product, which he had made for the family in the 80s. I duplicated it and he loved that. It is still a favorite at Nabila K today.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
Alice Hoffman’s “The Marriage of Opposites” is a source of inspiration. This historical novel brings to life the story of Rachel Pomié, the mother of the famous painter Camille Pissarro. The writing is so rich and detailed, just excellent. Rachel’s determination to live life on her terms and to nurture her son’s talent despite the rigid expectations of her community speaks to me deeply. Her story is a reminder that pursuing one’s passion often requires courage and that nurturing creativity is a legacy in itself.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
There are so many good ones! I like “Focus on d-oing, not don’t-ing.” I also like “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience” by Eleanor Roosevelt.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
I’m involved in several philanthropic organizations. The one closest to my heart is The Children for Peace Onlus (thechildrenforpeace.org).
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. According to this EY report, only about 20 percent of funded companies have women founders. This reflects great historical progress, but it also shows that more work still has to be done to empower women to create companies. In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women from founding companies?
One thing that women considering opening or starting their businesses want from anyone is support: support for the idea, support in getting it up and running, financial support, and someone experienced who’s been where they want to be to advise them. A while ago, there was a great slogan called ”Each One, Reach One.” I can’t recall what initiative that was from, but I love the idea of each of us doing our part to help at least one other person. Something that often rewards both the giver and the receiver. An obstacle for someone considering this type of endeavor is a level of confidence because it is a risk (even if it is a calculated one). Having a support structure in place is the key to all of this.
Can you share with our readers what you are doing to help empower women to become founders?
I am an ambassador and representative for The Children For Peace ONLUS, which does much more than provide medical and educational aid. When ONLUS delivers education to children, this often includes young women. These women are supported with educational basics and offered courses that provide the skills necessary to participate in the online marketplace globally. Many areas where The Children For Peace ONLUS operates also provide adult education. We have seen the lives of entire families change because they were given the tools to become a part of the larger global economy via the Internet and digital marketing. Through this organization, my personal goal is to see that children and families are given the education that enables extraordinary achievement and a better life.
This might be intuitive to you but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why more women should become founders?
Innovation often comes from diverse opinions and experiences. Women have unique perspectives, and their creativity is frequently driven by meeting unmet needs in the market and specific populations. This diversity of thought is crucial to developing new ideas and driving growth. This growth also contributes to the overall health of the economy. When women are successful, it impacts their lives and those with whom they work. And we need more women as founders because the next generation needs strong shoulders upon which to stand. A positive cycle of empowerment and ambition needs to be created and sustained.
Can you please share 5 things that can be done or should be done to help empower more women to become founders?
1. Increase Access to Capital — I would love to see more funding opportunities for women entrepreneurs, such as grants, venture capital funds, and microloans. Investors can also be educated to recognize and overcome biases that may influence their funding decisions. There is a company called All Raise, a nonprofit organization that focuses on increasing the amount of venture capital going to female founders. All Raise offers resources, mentorship, and connections to help women secure their needed funding. One of their initiatives,”Female Founder Office Hours” connects women entrepreneurs with investors, increasing their chances of obtaining capital. We need more of these types of organizations.
2. Provide Mentorship and Networking Opportunities — A few organizations offer mentorship programs that pair aspiring female founders with experienced entrepreneurs. But there aren’t enough of them. Networking events specifically for women can also help them build valuable connections.
The Tory Burch Foundation is an excellent example of this in action. Founded by designer Tory Burch, the foundation provides women entrepreneurs with access to mentoring, workshops, and peer networks. For instance, their Fellows Program offers women a one-year fellowship with mentorship, a grant, and access to the foundation’s powerful network of business leaders.
3. Promote Education and Skills Development — More specific programs that offer business education, skills training, and resources for the needs of women entrepreneurs would be good. These programs should cover everything from financial literacy to leadership skills, helping women gain the confidence and competence to start and run Businesses. Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women program is an excellent example of this initiative. It provides women entrepreneurs worldwide with business and management education, mentoring, and networking. Many program graduates have successfully launched and scaled their businesses, demonstrating the power of targeted education and support.
4. Challenge and Change Societal Norms — Address cultural and societal expectations that discourage women from pursuing entrepreneurship. This includes advocating for policies that support work-life balance, such as affordable childcare, flexible working hours, and parental leave, which can help women manage family and business responsibilities.
In Sweden, policies that promote gender equality, such as generous parental leave for both parents and affordable childcare, have contributed to higher levels of female entrepreneurship compared to other countries. These supportive measures make it more feasible for women to start and grow businesses while balancing family life.
5. Highlight and Celebrate Female Success Stories — As a country, we need to publicly celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs to inspire others and raise awareness of their contributions. Media coverage, awards, and speaking opportunities can help normalize female leadership and create a more inclusive narrative around entrepreneurship.
Forbes’ “America’s Richest Self-Made Women” list is a platform that highlights successful female entrepreneurs, showcasing their stories and accomplishments. By bringing these role models into the spotlight, the list inspires other women to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions and demonstrates that success is possible.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
If I could inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most significant number of people, it would be a global movement centered on Empowering Women Through Education and Entrepreneurship. This movement would focus on providing women and girls worldwide with access to quality education and the resources needed to start and grow their businesses. I believe such a movement would break the cycle of poverty for so many women and promote economic growth.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
If I could choose one person to have a private breakfast or lunch with, it would be Mika Brzezinski. Mika has been a powerful advocate for women, and her work with the “Know Your Value” and “50 Over 50” platforms has made a profound impact. Through Know Your Value, she empowers women to recognize their worth, advocating for them
to take control of their careers and lives. Her “50 Over 50” initiative celebrates women who continue to break barriers and achieve remarkable success later in life, proving that age is no barrier to greatness. Mika Brzezinski’s dedication to uplifting women aligns with my values. I would be honored to discuss how we can further support and inspire women to reach their full potential.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
I’m pretty easy to find. I have a personal blog as well as for Nabila K and Spartan & the Green Egg series, where I offer various perspectives and thoughts about life, the world, work, and family. I’m on Instagram (@nabila_khashoggi) and other social media.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children.
Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle.
Nabila Khashoggi Of Nabila K Cosmetics: Why We Need More Women Founders & Here Is What We Are Doing… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.