In a world full of noise and competition, only a few manage to carve out a space of their own. Sonal Haria is one of them. A bold question during a university interview sparked a fire in her that would go on to create not just one, but two successful businesses a marketing agency and a beauty brand.
It all began during her university days when she landed an interview with Pepsico, one of the world’s largest corporations. When asked if she had any questions, Sonal replied with a cheeky but bold one: “How long would it take to become CEO?” The answer, 20 to 30 years, didn’t sit right with her. It was then she knew she wasn’t meant to wait decades to sit at the top. She was going to build her own empire.
The Birth of a Marketing Consultant and Beauty Entrepreneur
Sonal has now spent over 12 years as an entrepreneur, combining her passions for creativity, branding, and business. With a degree in marketing and entrepreneurship, she’s made good on both fronts. For the past decade, she’s been building CB Consulting, a full-service marketing and brand strategy agency. And for the last 6 years, she’s been the proud founder of Canvas Cosmetics, a beauty brand made for Women of Colour.
I love how I can be creative with both. We get to impact people, empower them, build and grow brands, and tell stories. It’s all about leaving a mark, she shares.
Built From Scratch: Just a Laptop, Coffee, and Wifi
Every success story has a humble beginning and Sonal’s is no different. With just an idea, a laptop, strong coffee, and borrowed cafe wifi, she started her journey in 2012. Her first agency was launched in 2019, right when Instagram was picking up steam globally.
Back then, she onboarded small and medium businesses, helping them understand the power of social media. She focused on brand building, content creation, and storytelling long before it became a buzzword. This gave her an edge in the growing digital space.
After some time abroad, she returned to Kenya with bigger plans. Seeing a clear gap in the market for high quality, affordable cosmetics tailored to Women of Colour, she founded Canvas Cosmetics. Her brand now stands as one of the most promising beauty ventures in East Africa.
Growing Globally, One Client at a Time
Sonal always had a global vision, and she’s making it a reality. Her agency, CB Consulting, now serves clients across Kenya, the UAE, and even as far as Fiji. Her dream was to work with prestigious brands in different markets, and today, that’s her everyday reality.
Whether it’s strategy, content, branding, or digital marketing, her team provides solutions that are relevant and results driven. She continues to build her agency with authenticity and heart, focusing on long term value for her clients.
Leveling Up in the Beauty Game
In 2025, Sonal and her team launched their most ambitious product line yet, the Canvas Cosmetics Complexion Collection, featuring the Multitasker Foundation, Concealer, and Pressed Powder.
This launch was a major milestone, as it completed nearly all product categories needed for a full face makeup line. It was a power move that cemented Canvas Cosmetics’ spot as a serious contender in the African beauty market.
What makes the brand stand out isn’t just its quality, but its inclusivity. In a market often dominated by global giants, Canvas Cosmetics caters specifically to the underrepresented. It gives Women of Colour access to beauty products that suit their skin tones, needs, and budgets.
Breaking Barriers and Representing Africa
Sonal isn’t just building brands. She’s breaking barriers. As a South Asian woman born and raised in Kenya, she’s representing a powerful intersection of cultures and proving that success knows no borders. Her story is a reminder that African excellence can and does compete on the global stage.
I’ve always wanted to put Africa on the map. It’s a continent of endless possibilities. The world is just beginning to see that, she says.
Her personal and professional journey is deeply tied to a mission of empowerment, especially for women. I’d love to be an example to women that anything is possible. Don’t let anyone dim your light, she says.
The Mindset Behind the Success
Ask Sonal what keeps her going, and she’ll tell you it’s obsession the good kind.
Entrepreneurship isn’t a 9 to 5. There are no rules. There’s no one to tell you how much or how little to work. It’s your inner fire that keeps you going. You have to be borderline obsessed with your vision and mission. That’s what keeps you steady through the ups and downs.
Her approach is grounded in resilience, grit, and relentless passion. Even on the hardest days, she believes giving up is not an option. Her advice to young entrepreneurs is simple. Stay true to your vision, even when the road is unclear.
What’s Next for Sonal Haria
With two growing businesses, a strong digital presence, and international reach, Sonal is far from done. She continues to push boundaries both in the beauty and marketing industries.
She hopes to turn Canvas Cosmetics into a globally recognised brand and expand CB Consulting into more markets. But beyond business, her purpose runs deeper. She wants to inspire, uplift, and create space for others, especially women and minorities, to thrive in business and beyond.
Looking back at her younger self, she says, “Even though you can’t see it now, you’ll be where you always dreamt of being in the very near future.”
And to anyone on the path of building something from scratch, her message is clear. Never dim your light for anyone.
Do follow her on Instagram , canvascosmetic.com , cbmediagroup.ae
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