By: Lauren Wilson
Few founders embody grit and purpose quite like Erin Carr — the Australian-born entrepreneur behind LA Glam Co, yehMATE, and the newest addition to her growing portfolio, Glow & Go, a self-care brand for the next generation.
From starting her first business out of pure passion during lockdowns to landing major U.S. retail placement and building a tween skincare line poised for national rollout, Erin’s journey is proof that persistence beats privilege.
Her energy is contagious — confident, honest, and grounded. When we sat down with her, Erin’s “do-whatever-it-takes” attitude radiated through every story she shared. She talks fast, laughs often, and doesn’t waste time worrying about outside noise.
“I never go half in on anything I’m building,” she says with a smile. “It’s all or nothing.”
Erin, you’ve built three brands from scratch — with no outside investors. How did this all begin?
It started with a dream and a lot of drive. I launched LA Glam Co back in COVID — we all needed something a little extra at the time. Face masks were obviously a thing, so we decided to create silk masks. From there, it became silk scrunchies… and now, fast forward, here we are.
I wanted to create something that made women feel confident — not just another beauty brand, but one that represented everyday luxury and empowerment at an affordable price.
I didn’t have funding, a big team, or even retail experience — but I had a vision. Once I’m set on something, I’m all in. I learned everything as I went: manufacturing, packaging, costing, everything. I packed boxes myself, dealt with warehouse disasters, designed labels at 1 a.m. (and I’m not a designer!), and managed supplier calls from my living room.
Those early “I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’ll figure it out” moments were the best part of the startup phase. Now, we’ve built solid systems and partnerships. Seeing LA Glam Co on Target USA shelves made every one of those nights worth it.
You’ve also created yehMATE LA, which has a totally different purpose. What inspired that?
yehMATE was born from a purpose. I wanted to build a brand that stood for men’s wellness, heart health, and mental health — something that sparks connection and conversation, not just sells clothes.
We’re building toward the YM Foundation, focusing on men’s mental and physical well-being through community, sport, and awareness. yehMATE proves that fashion and purpose can coexist — you can look good, feel good, and do good at the same time.
And now you’re about to launch Glow & Go — tell us about it.
Glow & Go is for the next generation — a kids’ and tween self-care brand teaching healthy habits early through fun, safe skincare and accessories.
My biggest inspiration came from my niece — she’s the light of my life. Our bond sparked the whole concept. I wanted to create products that kids actually connect with: what they love, what they need, even down to colors and packaging. The purple? That’s her favorite color (for now!) — but it also symbolizes creativity and confidence.
We saw a gap in the market: most products were too harsh or too grown-up. I wanted something age-appropriate that makes young girls feel proud of taking care of themselves.
Everything — from the pastel-purple and beige packaging to the motto “Self-care for the next gen” — is intentional. We’re now gearing up for a major retail and DTC launch in 2026, and it’s full steam ahead.
You talk a lot about the “grind.” What has that really looked like behind the scenes?
Honestly, it’s been nonstop. Entrepreneurship isn’t glamorous — it’s 90% grit, 10% highlight reel.
I’ve dealt with overseas shipments stuck in customs, wrong barcodes, Shopify crashes, MOQ nightmares, GTIN errors — you name it. I’ve designed packaging by hand (tragic!), learned supply chain management the hard way, and balanced creativity with the numbers.
But every challenge made me sharper. I know my business inside and out — design, logistics, costing, PR, all of it. This year has been about tightening those processes so nothing falls through the cracks. Some days I feel on top of the world; other days, it’s problem after problem. But that’s business. You grow through it.
I’ve learned to stay resilient, confident, and humble enough to ask for help when needed.
How have you managed to scale while keeping creative control?
By staying involved in every layer. I build every brand like it’s my first — I care about every detail, from the tone to the typography.
We haven’t scaled all three brands at once; each has its own timeline and strategy. LA Glam Co took off first, which was intentional. The next step is structure — adding leadership roles, refining fulfillment, and scaling through systems.
Scaling isn’t just about ideas — it’s about process.
What’s next for you and your brands over the next 12 months?
The next year is all about growth with structure. We’ve spent two years building the foundation — now it’s time to scale bigger.
We’re projecting $250 K–$350 K in annual online revenue across all brands and are already securing new purchase orders for 2026. Our focus is on strengthening operations, expanding retail partnerships, and deepening collaborations that drive brand awareness and financial growth.
Glow & Go will roll out campaigns to position it as the go-to self-care brand for the next generation. yehMATE is growing into unisex product lines and officially launching the YM Foundation. LA Glam Co continues expanding its accessories and entering the haircare market.
Behind the scenes, I’m building scalable systems — 3PL fulfillment, inventory forecasting, cash-flow structure, and leadership. Those are the layers that turn passion projects into sustainable, high-performing businesses — and that’s exactly where we’re headed.
What keeps you motivated when things get hard?
Purpose. I know why I started — to create brands that mean something.
When I look at how far we’ve come, I’m reminded that pressure is a privilege — and with hard work, everything works out. I’ve learned to delegate, to trust people, and to build a strong support system. Trying to do everything yourself will burn you out — you need to empower others.
I’m proud, but I’m also eager for what’s next. There’s so much more to build and grow — and 2026 is shaping up to be our biggest year yet.
It’s also important to acknowledge that none of this happens alone. My retail team has been incredible — they believed in me and my brands from day one, and that kind of support means everything.
Recently, we partnered with Olivia Pierson, influencer and TV personality, who’s been amazing to work with. We share the same energy and drive — it’s fun, professional, and we’re building something that feels big.
And of course, my husband — my number one supporter. He’s thrilled we finally have a warehouse, so he doesn’t have to help pack orders anymore! Erin laughs.
“I’ve learned that growth isn’t luck — it’s layers of discipline, resilience, and belief. Once you start creating with purpose, there’s no limit to how far you can go.”
— Erin Carr, Founder & CEO, LA Glam Co | yehMATE LA | Glow & Go
It’s also important to acknowledge that none of this happens alone. My retail team has been incredible — they believed in me and my brands from day one, and that kind of support means everything. I had a lot of people turn me down when I decided to take on retail, and a lot of people gave me no time. And my retail team now, without saying their names (they know who they are), they have been INCREDIBLE. They keep me organised, and I am slowly becoming less chaotic! Erin laughs.
