We had the good fortune of connecting with Stella Summer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stella, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As a busy mom and beauty lover, I constantly found myself juggling a million things—kids, work, errands—and still wanting to feel put together. I realized there was a gap in the market for smart, high-performance makeup that fit into real life. I wanted to create a product line that wasn’t just beautiful, but practical—products that solved the everyday problem of time and space without compromising on quality or style.

The idea behind Haute Minute was simple: create clean, travel-sized beauty essentials that deliver maximum impact with minimal fuss. Everything had to be easy to use, easy to carry, and truly high-performance. From the formulas to the packaging, every product is designed to help you feel confident and glamorous—even when you only have a minute.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’ve always been a serial entrepreneur with a drive to create something bigger than my wildest dreams. Haute Minute was born from that vision—a beauty brand built for real life. I wanted to make high-performance, clean products that allow people to look and feel their best anytime, anywhere—without the bulk, mess, or stress.

The journey has been far from easy. There have been countless moments when I’ve wanted to give up. What’s kept me going is the belief in the why behind this brand, and the support of the people who believe in me. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes patience, persistence, and a lot more investment—especially in marketing—than you’d ever imagine, particularly in the beauty industry.

What sets Haute Minute apart is our commitment to smart, clutch-sized beauty that actually performs. We’re clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and designed for the modern lifestyle. I want the world to know that this brand was created from the heart, with a mission to empower people to feel confident and glamorous—no matter where life takes them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Griffith Observatory & Hike to the Hollywood Sign – Epic views of the city and a dose of classic LA history.

Santa Monica Pier & Venice Beach – Ride the Ferris wheel, people-watch, and soak in that Cali sunshine.

Rodeo Drive – For that Pretty Woman moment (even if you’re just window shopping).

The Getty Villa – Stunning architecture, art, and gardens with panoramic views.

Grand Central Market – A downtown food hall with everything from tacos to Thai to gourmet egg sandwiches.

Nobu Malibu – For oceanside luxury dining and celeb sightings.

The Hollywood Bowl – See a concert under the stars.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Starting Haute Minute was a huge undertaking—physically, financially, and emotionally. But I have to give a special shout-out to my husband, Robert, for constantly pushing me to think big and not let fear or self-doubt creep in. His belief in me gave me the strength to bring this vision to life, and I’m forever grateful.

Website: https://www.hauteminutemakeup.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hauteminutemakeup/

Image Credits
Strawhat Productions

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