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Essie Weingarten's iconic and eponymous nail polish brand grew from 12 shades to more than 900 over the course of 34 years. But it wasn't easy. "Everyone thinks Rome was built in a day, and it wasn't," she tells Entrepreneur.

Weingarten started out carting around those iconic colorful bottles to trade shows all over the country, trying to get face time with salons that could possibly carry her products. Little by little she started making headway, and over time, Essie not only landed in retail shops but also on the red carpet. Now, after selling her company to L'Oreal in 2010, Weingarten shares with us what it took to find success.

"[There are] many, many bumps in the road but from every bump in the road, you become stronger."

Check out the video for more inspiring advice.

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