Where Brains Meet Beauty

We’re going back to the basics with my guest this week, Robyn Watkins. Starting her journey as a prospective makeup artist turned product developer, Robyn always had a knack for beauty. After being mentored by some of the greats, she set her sights towards developing products the classical way, and eventually towards launching her own company, Holistic Beauty Group!  #wherebrainsmeetbeauty@wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcastwherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

Aspiring fashion designer, turned film director, turned business-woman, Sarah Willersdorf shares with me her challenges being a full-time mother and employee, as well as adapting to life post-COVID. She also helps to define what ‘luxury goods’ really means in today’s age of democratized beauty. Have a listen! #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

A love of beauty, trusting in her mentors and a willingness to learn led my guest, Joan Sutton, to co-creating 707 Flora. From a start at Lancôme, to a luxury spa in Beverly Hills, Joan followed in the footsteps of her mentors as she went from the world of retail beauty, to beauty treatments in spas, and finally to owning her own brand! What she learned was incredible.  #wherebrainsmeetbeauty@wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcastwherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

She has beat the fear, and now she has the brand to prove it. Learn how Jenna’s start as a radio host paved the way towards her founding of Fitish CBD Skincare, as she dared to give in to dissatisfaction. This change, alongside many other bold risks, allowed her to go from the world of entertainment to the world of beauty — all on her own terms.   #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

How does learning more about ourselves translate into real-world success? Can the power of your thoughts (both positive and negative) shape the success of a  business? Join me and my guest Amy Gordinier, Founder and CEO of SkinFix for her insights on the power of being authentic and learning more about oneself, what success means to her, as well as some tips on attracting abundance into your life! #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

Committed to a high-pressure, 24/7 job, Dana Jackson experienced a deep level of burnout that led to a life-threatening illness. Hear how her recovery and her search for beauty products that would support her on her road back to health released the latent entrepreneur within her, while teaching her important life lessons about balance, perspective and when to ask for help. #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

Geltor, the company co-founded and led by Alex Lorestani, is doing nothing less than making non-GMO proteins that have zero animal-based ingredients, proteins that could ultimately pop up in just about every consumer product in the beauty, wellness and food industries. How this will positively impact human health, animal health, the planet’s health and everything from the way food is produced to the way antibiotics are used—and overused—is the focus of this crucially important episode.   #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

On the front lines of improving the safety of beauty and personal care products, Alissa Sasso is in a unique position, as part of a global non-profit working with many oh-so-profitable skincare, cosmetics and personal brands. No one could do it better, as she navigates the challenges in a totally non-adversarial way. It’s a tough job and Alissa does it with sensitivity for all the stakeholders, which is the only way to make progress in such a vast undertaking. Don’t miss this important discussion on a topic that affects us all.   #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

Two big ideas weave in and out of this episode, as Leslie shares her journey and her approach to work. One is the concept of risk: how much one is willing to take to move ahead and the delicate risk-reward balance, different for each of us. The other is how to find meaning in your work, whether your own tiny startup or a mega corporation, a goal that was crucial in Leslie’s career choices. Listen to this lively discussion of these universal themes.   #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

Lots to unpack in our talk with Kilian Hennessy, starting with how he turned his back—mostly—on his famous family’s Cognac business to create his own legacy of luxurious liquids with his elegant and eclectic perfumes. He talks about the scents from his childhood and how he blends those powerful memories into his “overdose” fragrances. Listen in on this very personal journey from heir apparent to rock star entrepreneur.   #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

There are many life lessons in the story of this week’s guest, Indie Lee. A terrifying medical diagnosis (and full recovery) motivated her to launch her truly green skincare line, Indie Lee, defined by clean ingredients and full transparency on what’s in, what’s not and where it all comes from. Tune in to hear how this beauty entrepreneur used one of the biggest challenges anyone can face to forge a new path and make her world—and everyone’s skin—healthier. #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

Life slapped Soyoung Kang in the face pretty early on, when her father’s sudden death meant she’d have to give up her lifelong dream of becoming an architect and choose a more financially stable path. How she faced her disappointment and found a new road that landed her (happily) in the beauty C suite are central themes of this moving episode. #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

Growing up on a cattle farm in Ohio, Michael Bumgarner always knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur. But he had no idea that desire would someday lead him to the beauty industry. The founder of Cannuka walks me through his journey into cannabis-based skincare, and how he believes the incredible, versatile hemp plant can change the future of American farming for the better. #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

Nicknamed 'Rosy' by her family for her positive outlook on life, this NY Times Best Selling-Author, Entrepreneur, Actress, Wife and Mom sees the world through rose colored glasses! In this episode, Suzanne Somers, Founder of Suzanne Organics, shares her secret to lifelong optimism and how the challenging parts of life are the ones we can learn the most from. #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

Dr. Zahir Dossa is an unexpected beauty entrepreneur. He pivoted his dreams of outer space to the beauty industry after a meandering career journey here on earth. Now the CEO + Co-Founder of Function of Beauty focuses on sustainability and individuality, reminding his customers that beauty is about them, not what's in the bottle. #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

Casey Georgeson says that building her business has been like building the plane mid-flight. While many entrepreneurs have hesitated to set sail on the CBD wave because of tough headwinds, the Saint Jane CEO and Founder believes it's provided an opportunity for her brand to succeed. #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

After nearly a year of discomfort, an ancestral vision provided Beatrice Dixon with the recipe to resolve her bacterial vaginosis - and the inspiration for a first-of-it's kind business. Bea provides women with the tools to safely and naturally care for their "honey pots" with the first plant-based feminine care system that cleanses, protects and balances the vagina. #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

When mother-daughter duo Mila & Ada Juristovski lost their husband and father, they transformed their grief over intense loss into a drive to create something focused on health and wellness. Nala combines Mila's expertise in biotech and Ada's mastery of marketing to bring a free-from, natural and effective deodorant to the market.   #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

It was friends at first sight for besties and business partners Kayla Bertagna and Lisa Ballstaedt. The Co-Founders of Soon Skincare named the brand for Lisa's Korean Grandmother, keeping in mind the meaning of the word in Korean - smooth and pure. The pair aims to bring the world the excitement and innovation of Korean skincare with an unsurpassed user experience (and do it with a lot of laughs along the way).   #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com

Anisa shares insights that every leader should hear - from the attitude that keeps her calm, to how she delivers authenticity through compassion. Tune in for an episode that's as honest as it is informative. #wherebrainsmeetbeauty @wherebrainsmeetbeautypodcast wherebrainsmeetbeauty.com