Why is CEW membership important to you?
There’s no doubt that behind every career win is an army of supporters who have selflessly offered their time, efforts, opinions, and guidance. As a wife and working mother of two, 24 hours only suffices with the help of others, and I am immensely grateful for my tribe which includes CEW. From my family’s ongoing professional and personal support to colleagues, industry professionals, mentors, sorority sisters and more, I have the opportunity to pursue my dreams. Having a network like CEW to call on has been instrumental and I am honored to be a member.
Do you have any tips for getting the most out of CEW membership?
My suggestion to get the most out of your CEW membership is to ensure you have your email notifications on so you don’t miss out on all the incredible Virtual Events they host. I also enjoy the Trend Talks and Beauty News as it’s a great way to stay current on what’s happening in the industry. Lastly, I highly recommend taking part in the Open Forums which allows you to connect and network directly with members on any topic you may need support or advice on.
What advice would you give someone who is inspired by your career and one day wants to be in a similar position?
My advice would be to take risks. As it relates to career success, I believe risk acts as a catalyst to take you from where you are to where you want to be. Though I came up through a more traditional corporate path in beauty, there are several risky decisions that have led me to where I am today. As a young professional, I gained valuable experience in accounting and the financial side of the business before pivoting to focus on marketing and product development. This granted me the opportunity to intimately learn the ins and outs of brand management, from working with labs, conceptualizing marketing campaigns, new product innovation, influencer marketing and more. In 2020, I took another notable risk, leaving my executive seat to start my own brand, LYS Beauty. There is great comfort and stability found on the beaten path, but true fulfillment for me has always been on the other side of a risky, yet well-thought-out decision.
What advice do you have for any beauty entrepreneurs, who are inspired to start their own companies during this time or entrepreneurs who already have a small business?
- Focus on company finances, as its critical to your success. This includes familiarizing yourself with the inner workings of your company’s input and output, as well as opportunities for growth potential.
- Focus on sharpening your brand story. People want to support brands that align with their personal values and bringing your brand to life through compelling storytelling is the best way to resonate with them.
- This is not advice, but rather a gentle reminder that you can have it all (career, success, family, etc.). Entrepreneurship is a difficult journey, but through proper balance, a great support system and perseverance, the reward in truly gratifying.
On September 9th LYS Beauty will be expanding its footprint to the national fleet of Sephora Doors.
