Astrid Montalta is no ordinary businesswoman. She’s focused on lifting us girls up (literally) with her sustainable bra brand. The entrepreneur is even hyper-focused on preserving our planet.

We chatted with Astrid to find out more about how she became an entrepreneur, her (eco-conscious) thoughts on creating an environmentally-friendly brand, and how she deals with rejection in the business world.

Grab yourself a seat and learn all about the new brand that we’re obsessed with and the founder herself…

Cosmo ME: Can you give us a little bit of background about yourself?

Astrid: I’m half-Swiss and half-Mexican. I was born in Mexico but lived in Switzerland until I was five years old before we immigrated to Sugar Land, Texas in the United States. I remember the move was quite difficult, I didn’t speak English at the time. Despite that, I did very well in school. The studying paid off and I received a few scholarships to attend the University of Pennsylvania’s undergrad Wharton School of Business.

C: How did your background lead you to develop NOOD?

A: I’ve always had the entrepreneur bug. NOOD started as a side project while I was still working full-time at Goldman Sachs. The idea came from a personal need for these types of products, which simply were not available at the quality or standard I was looking for. That’s when I decided to go for it myself.

C: What is NOOD?

A: NOOD is a 100% female-owned and run company that designs sustainable bra adhesive solutions that provide lift, shape, and support for all sizes and skin tones. As a brand, we aim to disrupt the market with innovative products while creating an exceptional buying experience. We are also so much more than our products. We want to inspire women to love their nude, by embracing their bodies and loving themselves for who they are.

C: What gap in the market does NOOD fill?

A: NOOD is the first sustainable bra alternatives brand that is size and skin tone inclusive. Our patent-pending Game Changer Lift & Shape Bra provides a sweat-proof lift, shape, and support for all sizes in a ready-to-use bra form. No stylist needed! Given that two out of three women today wear a size 34D and above, this is a hugely underserved market. 

C: Does NOOD work for every cup size?

A: Yes! We stand behind our products and believe that we can make our sustainable bra products work for any and ALL sizes. This is why we confidently offer a 90-day money-back guarantee.

C: Is NOOD a sustainable brand?

A: Yes, NOOD is a sustainable brand. We are not perfect, but we are constantly striving to do better and we will be certified plastic negative by end of the year. Once thrown away, each NOOD sustainable bra breaks down within a relatively short period of time 90-180 days, going back to nature as nature intended and not filling up landfills.

NOOD also uses recycled content or recyclable materials to help reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and the resources spent on generating new materials. We value doing the right thing. It’s more important to us than making a quick profit.

C: Top three skills you need to have in your career?

A: Passion, tenacity, and a positive attitude. Being an entrepreneur can have extreme ups and downs and tremendous pressure. You need to be passionate about what you’re doing and believe in it, otherwise, how will you convince others to believe in you and your company?

You also need to have the tenacity to keep going, even when things are difficult or seem impossible. Lastly, a positive attitude is what will get you through difficult times. 

C: How do you handle rejection?

A: You have to see rejection as an opportunity. Every rejection is an opportunity to improve and to grow. This is why they say that successful entrepreneurs can’t be afraid to fail. Failure is part of the journey and where you acquire the most knowledge to eventually succeed.

C: Do you have any tips for those who struggle with it?

A: No one likes the idea of rejection, but overcoming that fear is important. You need to be able to take risks, to try new things as an entrepreneur. Limiting beliefs are your worst enemy. Start small by taking on things that are out of your comfort zone and celebrating the small wins. Every win will help you build confidence and overcome these fears. 

NOOD can be purchased from their local sites and select retailers in the UAE and GCC. Click here for more information.

Their solution wear ranges retail from Dhs99 – Dhs219.