Entrepreneurship wasn’t something I consciously chased—rather, it unfolded naturally as I followed my instincts, curiosity, and early exposure to independent work. From the moment I entered high school and began modelling, I realised I was drawn to projects where I could build something of my own. Modelling became my first taste of entrepreneurship, teaching me discipline, self-direction, and the confidence to navigate industries on my own terms. That foundation eventually led me to discover unique products, launch global ventures, and embrace the life of a serial entrepreneur.
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR? CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?
Well, I don’t even know where to start. Naturally, I have always been drawn toward entrepreneurial projects. I guess it all began right after I started high school and began modeling. I never thought at first about going to college, but I was always the kind of person interested in self-starting ventures. I modeled for a long time, which I guess, in a way, made me an entrepreneur.
My first business was selling a cream made out of snail secretion that I discovered in Peru. Back then, no one knew the effects snail secretion could have on the skin. I discovered this secretion through a farmer in Peru and marketed it all over the world.
After that, I launched my first big venture, DNA HAIR, a hair extension company that distributed worldwide. I fell into that totally by chance when a friend of mine told me about the need for high-quality hair extensions and the fact that she had a place to source the raw material in India.
HOW DID YOU START YOUR VARIOUS VENTURES?
After selling my hair extension company and moving to Los Angeles, I have since launched several ventures in entertainment, beauty, security, and real estate. I am what you may call a serial entrepreneur.
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR VARIOUS VENTURES.
All my ventures are sometimes very different. I generally try to stick to things I like doing or sectors that I am very knowledgeable in. Knowledge, as they say, is power, and it truly helps when you are deciding what business you want to start. It helps to have a lot of understanding about the background of the business you are about to be a part of.
HOW DID THE BUSINESS IDEA COME ABOUT?
Most of my business ideas come from recognizing a need for something that isn’t being fulfilled and deciding to try to fulfill that need. It usually starts with me coming up with an idea that has been triggered by observing a gap—a need that is not being fulfilled properly, thereby leaving space for competition.
HOW AND WHY DID YOU GET STARTED AS AN ENTREPRENEUR?
I started as an entrepreneur by chance. I just found a product I liked and then thought about all the other people who might be interested in the same thing but did not know where to buy it. As mentioned earlier, I tend to have a knack for finding new proprietary products.
However, I have also delved into entertainment production in the past, and that required a different type of entrepreneurial tenacity. Basically, I try to create value by finding a gap in the market and then providing a product that fulfills that gap.
DO YOU WORK LOCALLY OR NATIONALLY?
I work all over the world—both on my own ventures and as an advisor to a couple of companies that seek my knowledge and expertise when it comes to starting ventures, advisory, or managing business relationships.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME FOR YOUR COMPANY?
Each company I have started has developed its own name, which I create based on the product or the environment. I try not to choose something too obvious and instead take inspiration from what’s going on around me. Naming a business is a personal thing, and everyone has a different process when it comes to creating their business identity.
WHAT ARE YOUR COMPANY’S GOALS?
I would say my goal—for myself or any company I set up or advise—is to create value. And hopefully, in the process of creating value, we offer a service or product that satisfies the end consumer.
The goal of every company is to add value in whatever way they can. However, I think that value should also extend to one’s employees. Many companies focus solely on making money for the executive team and do not support their workers, who are the ones truly keeping the business going. CEOs earn millions while their workers often struggle to make ends meet. This is not fair, so a major goal of anything I do is to empower others all around.
DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS SOME SORT OF PATTERN OR FORMULA TO BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR?
I would say there is no fixed pattern to becoming a successful entrepreneur, but there are some key traits every entrepreneur should have: tenacity, self-drive, discipline, and—if you can find one—a mentor who keeps you inspired.
IF YOU HAD ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
My best piece of advice would be: stay focused and don’t get distracted. Keep your eye on your end goal. There may be hard times, but if you stay focused, you will pull through. There will be moments you hate what you’re doing and moments you absolutely love it. Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint-hearted.
Thank you for being interviewed! Have a nice day.
Note: This is an archive article written by Brian Keiller.
