Born Unbreakable Podcast - CosmoGloⓇ

Desiree Maya is the Founder of Born Unbreakable, a keynote speaker, a six-figure earner, and host of the Born Unbreakable Podcast.

Desiree chats with Mary on the CosmoGlo Light that has revolutionized lighting for not only lash artists but those providing other spa services and even tattoo artists. 

Listen to the episode below!

East coast native, Mary Harcourt had the adventure bug at an early age. This spirit led her to traveling to sixty-four countries and counting. She landed in Los Angeles where she opened a salon that very quickly became a leading lash extension spa. One of the problems she always struggled with in her field of work was lighting. When the pandemic rolled around in 2020, instead of continuing to admire the problem, she tackled it head-on. A conversation with her husband, turned into a back of the napkin drawing, then eventually a CAD drawing. With diligence and the same adventurous spirit that she grew up with, Mary invented the CosmoGlo Light. Her light has revolutionized lighting for not only lash artists, but those providing other spa services and even tattoo artists. This sensational CEO is living proof that your idea can change the world. Her product is going global and has forever changed the beauty industry. Her story will certainly light you up, so tune in now! Shout out to this episode’s sponsor, Sherpa Way Marketing. Check out https://sherpawaymarketing.com/ for your one-stop shop to improve your brand positioning in the marketplace. Their professionals are bi-lingual in English and Spanish – let them take the marketing guess work (e.g., SEO, ads, social media) away so you can focus on running your business.

From Lash Artist to Inventor: How Mary Harcourt Created CosmoGlo and Revolutionized Beauty Lighting

When Mary Harcourt first entered the beauty industry, she wasn't planning to become an inventor.

She was a lash artist, salon owner, traveler, and entrepreneur searching for a better way to serve her clients. What began as frustration with poor lighting in treatment rooms eventually became one of the beauty industry's most recognized lighting innovations: CosmoGlo.

In a recent appearance on the Born Unbreakable Podcast, Mary shared her journey from world traveler to salon owner to founder of a patented beauty lighting company.

A Life Fueled by Adventure

Mary's entrepreneurial mindset began long before she started CosmoGlo.

Originally from Pennsylvania, she grew up in a family that experienced divorce during her teenage years. Looking for a new perspective, she became an exchange student and moved to Australia.

That experience would change the course of her life.

"Once you cannonball into the world of the unknown, you're fearless and ready to do it again and again."

Living abroad exposed her to different cultures, ways of thinking, and new possibilities. After returning to the United States, Mary continued pursuing adventure, eventually traveling to more than 64 countries across the globe.

Her travels taught her invaluable lessons about resilience, resourcefulness, and human connection.

"A smile is a universal language. You don't need to speak the same language to connect with someone."

These experiences would later influence the way she approached business and innovation.

Building a Career in Beauty

At just 18 years old, Mary earned her cosmetology license and began working in the beauty industry.

She experimented with various specialties including hairstyling, waxing, skincare, and bartending while continuing to travel whenever possible.

Eventually, she discovered eyelash extensions.

Unlike other beauty services, lashes offered a calm, focused environment that immediately appealed to her.

"I saw somebody doing lashes while listening to music with a candle lit and a client sleeping. I thought, that looks like something I could be happy doing."

Determined to build a business around lashes, Mary opened her own salon in Hermosa Beach, California.

The opportunity came unexpectedly when she found a turnkey salon available for takeover.

Within just a few weeks, she had signed the lease and officially become a salon owner.

Learning Business the Hard Way

Like many first-time entrepreneurs, Mary quickly learned that being skilled at a service and running a business are two very different things.

In the beginning, she often performed services for free while perfecting her craft.

"I was so determined to get better that I'd redo lashes over and over without charging."

While this helped her build a loyal customer base, it also created cash flow challenges.

Eventually, Mary realized she needed to learn the business side of entrepreneurship.

She became obsessed with education:

  • Reading business books
  • Attending trade shows
  • Taking industry classes
  • Studying customer service
  • Learning payroll and cash flow management

Over the next six years, she transformed her salon into one of the highest-rated businesses in her area.

But another challenge continued to frustrate her every day.

The lighting.

The Problem That Sparked an Invention

As a lash artist, Mary spent countless hours working under various lighting systems.

No matter which lights she purchased, her team remained unhappy.

Ring lights created shadows.

Tripods got in the way.

Traditional salon lighting wasn't designed specifically for beauty professionals.

After replacing salon lighting multiple times, Mary reached a breaking point.

One evening, her husband offered simple advice:

"You complain about this every day. You either need to make a light or stop talking about it."

That conversation became the catalyst for CosmoGlo.

Mary began sketching ideas for the perfect beauty light:

  • A flat base that wouldn't create trip hazards
  • Smooth movement for repositioning
  • Even, shadow-free illumination
  • A design that could move completely out of the way when not in use

What started as a sketch on a napkin would eventually become a patented product used by beauty professionals around the world.

Ways to Connect with CEO & Founder of CosmoGlo

Ways to Connect with Desiree Maya:

Back to News & Media

You may also like

View all