Courtney Csordas: Starting an eco-friendly beauty brand whilst balancing a 9-5
Overview
An eco-friendly beauty brand offering high-end shampoo and conditioner bars made with zero plastic - Think On Top: Salon Quality Hair, Without The Waste
Founded: 2024
Industry: Beauty
Founder: Courtney Csordas
City founded: Sydney
About the Founder
Courtney, 23, grew up in the hairdressing world, with her mum having over 30 years of experience. Inspired by this and wanting to make a difference, she created Think On Top; a brand that blends luxury hair care with social impact.
What is the mission?
Our mission is to revolutionize the hair care industry by creating premium shampoo and conditioner bars that elevate your routine and make a meaningful impact. At Think On Top, we believe that beauty is not just skin-deep; it’s a way to nurture ourselves, support our communities, and take care of the planet.
What inspired you to start?
Seeing the rise in plastic pollution and demand for sustainable beauty, we wanted to create premium hair care without waste. Our bars last longer, are travel-friendly, and give consumers a way to make a difference.
Think On Top Shampoo Bar
Beyond hair care, we sell accessories like caps, hoodies, and totes, with proceeds supporting youth mental health. At Think On Top, every purchase contributes to a greener planet and better mental health support.
What problem does Think On Top solve?
We tackle plastic waste in the beauty industry by offering shampoo and conditioner bars with zero plastic packaging. Many sustainable options lack a luxury feel, so we create high-quality, stylish products that align with modern self-care values.
Our bars are designed for convenience—compact, spill-proof, and perfect for travel. Plus, we make sustainable beauty affordable, so eco-friendly choices aren’t out of reach. Beyond hair care, we donate 50% of profits to youth mental health initiatives, helping consumers make a real impact with their purchases.
How does it work?
Premium Ingredients: Our bars are made with natural, high-end formulations for healthy hair.
Zero Plastic: We use recyclable cardboard packaging to cut down on waste.
Long-Lasting & Cost-Effective: One bar replaces three plastic bottles, saving money and reducing waste.
Travel-Friendly: No spills, no bulk—just easy, mess-free hair care.
Simple to Use: Wet hair, lather the bar, massage, and rinse—follow with our conditioner for best results.
Biggest challenge in starting a business?
Starting felt overwhelming, so many tasks, from finding manufacturers to building a website. The key was breaking it down into small steps, focusing on progress rather than perfection. This approach kept me moving forward, building both the business and my resilience along the way.
Advice for starting a business while working full-time?
Balancing a full-time job with a side hustle is tough, but with the right approach, it’s completely doable. Here are some key tips:
Be Realistic About Your Time – Your job takes up most of your day, so be prepared to make trade-offs in your schedule.
Set Clear Priorities – Know what you want to achieve and focus on tasks that truly move the needle.
Stick to a Schedule – Dedicate set hours each week to your business and stay consistent.
Discipline Over Motivation – You won’t always feel inspired, but showing up consistently is what matters.
Start Small – Break down big goals into small, achievable tasks. Progress adds up over time.
Be Patient – Success doesn’t happen overnight. Celebrate small wins and keep going.
What do you wish you'd known prior to launching?
The pre-launch phase isn’t the finish line—it’s just the beginning. I used to think everything had to be perfect before launching, but I’ve learned that this stage is all about testing, learning, and refining.
Instead of stressing about perfection, I now focus on building a strong foundation and taking things step by step. Every challenge is part of the journey, and I’ve learned to enjoy the process rather than rush through it.
What's the most valuable advice you've received?
Building a strong relationship with my manufacturer has been so important. Open communication, trust, and collaboration ensure higher quality products, smoother problem-solving, and a shared vision. Treating them as a partner rather than just a supplier has helped me navigate challenges and refine Think On Top’s products.
How do you handle setbacks?
I see setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures. Mistakes happen, but they’re a chance to grow. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, I reflect on how to improve and move forward. A quote that sticks with me is: “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”
What what you do differently?
I’d stop comparing myself to others so much. While market research is important, getting caught up in other people’s success can be discouraging. Every journey is different, and I’ve learned to focus on my own progress, trust my process, and celebrate small wins along the way.
Can you share how you’ve approached Marketing & Sales?
We’re focusing on organic marketing to build a community and excitement around Think On Top before launch. TikTok has been key for engaging our audience, sharing our eco-friendly mission, and showcasing the journey as a female founder. We also use other social platforms to give behind-the-scenes insights, product teasers, and educational content.
To grow further, we’re exploring collaborations with like-minded brands and influencers who share our values. This community-driven approach is helping us create a strong foundation for our launch.
Any lessons learned with respect to business operations?
Running a startup means wearing many hats, managing product development, marketing, and customer engagement all at once. Prioritizing tasks and outsourcing where needed has been crucial.
To streamline work, we use platforms like Upwork to hire freelancers for design, PR, and finance tasks. This frees up time to focus on business growth.
Funding & Monetisation?
We’re fully bootstrapped, using personal savings to fund the business while keeping full control. Our revenue will come from selling eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner bars, along with other sustainable products.
We aim to keep prices accessible while maintaining quality. While we may explore investors or partnerships in the future, our current focus is on building a sustainable, self-funded business.
Legal & Compliance?
We’ve ensured clear contracts with manufacturers and suppliers to manage risks and expectations. The beauty industry has strict regulations, so we’re making sure our products meet all safety, labeling, and marketing standards before launch.
How do you measure and track success?
Sales: We’ll track monthly and quarterly sales to understand product performance and adjust inventory and marketing as needed.
Customer Engagement: We’ll monitor social media activity (likes, shares, comments, and follower growth) to see if our content resonates.
Customer Feedback: Reviews and testimonials will help us improve our products and customer experience.
Website Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics will show website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates.
Social Impact: We’ll measure the impact of our donations and partnerships supporting youth mental health.
Goals & Milestones: Setting and reviewing clear goals will keep us on track and motivated.
When’s the upcoming launch:
🚀 Think On Top launches March 11, 2024! We’re bringing eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner bars to the market. Stay tuned!
Dream collaboration?
✨ Mecca – They align with our values of quality, innovation, and sustainability. A partnership would help us reach more conscious beauty consumers and promote sustainable self-care.
Future plans: Job vs. Business?
Long-term, I want to work on Think On Top full-time. My job has been a great stepping stone, but my passion is building a sustainable beauty brand that makes a real impact.
A quote that inspires you?
"You are one decision away from a completely different life." – Mel Robbins
What are you looking forward to about being part of the Hustled community?
I want to connect with other entrepreneurs for support, inspiration, and collaboration. Sharing ideas and learning from others will help me grow Think On Top, while also contributing to a community of like-minded people.
Learn more
TikTok: @thinkontopp - Join us on TikTok for fun and engaging content that showcases our journey and the benefits of our eco-friendly products.