**Kathleen Fuentes: From Personal Struggles to Business Resilience with Lights Lacquer**
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/KathleenLights-tout-2-032026-6792552d3f35454994dfc7454e807779.jpg)
Kathleen Fuentes, better known to her fans as KathleenLights, has navigated an impressive yet tumultuous journey as a businesswoman and content creator. After enduring a divorce that significantly disrupted both her personal life and her enterprise, the founder of Lights Lacquer has emerged with renewed confidence and determination.
Originally rising to fame through her YouTube channel, which she started in 2013, Kathleen built a large following by showcasing her authentic personality and passion for beauty. Over the years, her channel amassed 4.1 million subscribers, due in part to her engaging style and her impressive makeup skills. However, with the ever-changing landscape of social media and the increasing pressure to produce content, Fuentes has had to set realistic boundaries to protect her mental health.
“In the early days, you could grow by posting several times a week,” she shared with PEOPLE. “Now it feels like you need to post three times a day to keep up. I simply can’t manage that.” Fuentes is candid about maintaining a balance in her workload, acknowledging the mental toll that constant engagement can exert.
In 2016, Fuentes expanded her career by launching KL Polish, a nail polish line inspired by her YouTube content. However, due to creative disagreements with her partners, she parted ways with the brand in 2019, leading ultimately to its closure. Undeterred, she quickly founded Lights Lacquer, allowing her complete creative control.
Despite the initial excitement surrounding Lights Lacquer, Fuentes recently revealed that the road hasn’t been easy. In a candid conversation on the Jk Podcast, which she launched with fellow content creator Jessi Smiles, Fuentes admitted that operating a small, self-funded business in a competitive market poses significant challenges. The situation intensified in 2023 when she divorced her husband Daniel, who had been involved in the business. Following the split, she was left to manage Lights Lacquer independently.
“I’ve realised that you can’t do everything by yourself,” she said. “No matter how organised or capable you are, some aspects will inevitably slip through the cracks.” To counter the pressures of business ownership, Fuentes has leaned on a dedicated team, primarily composed of women, stating, “Surrounding myself with a strong team has been fundamental to navigating these challenges.”
In addition to managing her professional obligations, Fuentes has actively worked on her personal growth. Known for her openness about mental health struggles, especially anxiety, she has made considerable strides in recent months. The divorce forced her into independence, a transition that has sparked newfound confidence in her role as a leader. “It’s been like exposure therapy,” she explained, highlighting her recent adventures, such as a trip to Dubai, which she could not have previously undertaken.
Her brand, Lights Lacquer, is also experiencing a revival. In January, the company launched a new collection for spring and summer, featuring twelve shades to both new and returning customers’ delight. This fresh offering, complemented by revitalised branding, signals important changes for the future of the brand. Additionally, March saw the introduction of a much-anticipated hand cream, beauty bag, and nail file duo, all presented in a trendy butter-yellow shade.
“I foresee significant changes for Lights Lacquer,” Fuentes shared. “We started during COVID, and now, as times evolve, so must our approach.” She believes that customers are seeking more innovative offerings, moving beyond staple products like traditional red nail polish.
The renewed energy Fuentes brings to her work is mirrored in her podcast, where she explores topics beyond beauty. The JK Podcast has allowed her to share deeper insights into her life, shedding light on her relationship with Jessi Smiles and the camaraderie they’ve built over the years. “We’ve been wanting to collaborate again, and this felt like the right opportunity,” she noted.
For Fuentes, these various projects represent her commitment to navigating both the challenges of entrepreneurship and the transformations within her personal life. Through resilience and strategic collaboration, she is not just revamping her business but also embarking on a new chapter as an engaged creator and leader, inspiring her audience along the way.