For International Women’s Day this year, we’re highlighting some of the women helping to make the beauty industry a better place. We asked them to answer the following questions about their experiences and inspirations, so that we can all learn from the best. If you missed out, click the links to read about the amazing women featured in Day 1 and Day 3 of our series.
Erin Schmidt, Founder & CEO, Bella Vida Santa Barbara
What inspired you to start your business?
I suffered from cystic acne for many years and understand how frustrating it is. I created Bella Vida so others could find clean, cruelty-free, and sustainable skincare that was also gentle, yet effective at healing acne and keeping skin looking beautiful.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Women have come so far in just one generation. It is an exciting time to celebrate being a woman. Women around the world aren’t as lucky as we are, so it’s very important to remember that and also support women who are working to overcome immense obstacles.
How do you empower your team when facing an issue?
My team is mostly women and we work together well by honoring what each person brings to the table. We celebrate our successes together and work constantly on improving each area when we have a challenge. In this way, we can learn from our difficulties and grow. We discuss as a team in our staff meeting every week and encourage each other through text and emails as well.
Please share the one accomplishment you are most proud of.
I am so proud that our company is being asked to be included in new stores, like Wolf & Badger, that align perfectly with our ethical and sustainable mission. I’m also proud that we now are planting a tree in Africa for every order with Ecodrive and Eden Project to offset carbon emissions and help ease poverty for the workers there, many who are women.
Diana Saadeh, Co-Founder, DĒAWY
What inspired you to start your business?
DĒAWY was founded in 2018 by myself and my childhood best friend, Julia Ruiz. Self-described as yin and yang, we teamed up to create a trusted go-to brand that provides safe, effective products with transparency and environmental accountability, for generations to come.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is the privilege of choice and a voice granted to us by our foresisters.
How do you empower your team when facing an issue?
The most important tool to empowerment is allotting everyone an opportunity to voice their uninterrupted opinion in a respectful manner and through a respectful platform without fear of repercussion.
Please share the one accomplishment you are most proud of.
Founding DĒAWY!
Lindsey McCoy, CEO & Co-Founder, Plaine Products
What inspired you to start your business?
Plaine Products began with a dream of my sister and I to help solve the single-use plastic crisis. Offering a line of toxin-free personal care products on a per-item or subscription basis, Plaine Products come in aluminum bottles that can be sent back and refilled time after time. We’re on a mission to get single-use plastic out of the bathroom.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Having more women in leadership positions will be key to saving the planet for future generations. Women are caretakers and practical problem solvers who often discount their own contributions — it’s important to lift them up and help the world take notice.
How do you empower your team when facing an issue?
There is strength in numbers and collaboration. When Plaine Products faces an issue we come together to brainstorm solutions. It’s always easier to overcome obstacles together instead of alone.
Please share the one accomplishment you are most proud of.
Plaine Products just hit 250,000 plastic bottles eliminated from the planet and replaced with sustainable, refillable bottles. Also, it’s our 4th birthday!
Neige Blair and Pippa Blair, Co-Founders, Routine
What inspired you to start your business?
Picture it, two sisters, both with supreme senses of smell. One roaming the world with her guitar and a suitcase full of essential oils, the other halfway through nursing school. We sensed a problem so we started small, and started stinky — the armpit. We started with people we love, and quickly realized that we loved the way our people smell. We didn’t want to suppress their scents; we wanted to enhance them. We used nature-made ingredients to craft blends that merge and mingle with the pheromones of our friends. And we realized — we are not one smell fits all.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is all about women supporting women, and the importance of looking to each other as allies instead of competitors (especially when working in the same, or similar industries).
How do you empower your team when facing an issue?
When a team member is having an issue or a roadblock, it is all hands on deck with a brainstorming session! No one has to tackle a problem all on their own. At routine everyone’s opinion matters!
Please share the one accomplishment you are most proud of.
We are so proud to work with a team that feels more like family than anything else. We work hard and have fun while we’re doing it.
Natalie Sischy, Partner & COO, Province Apothecary
What inspired you to start your business?
I worked in previous roles for amazing entrepreneurs at Luxury Brand Partners and was inspired by their entrepreneurial spirit! I was keen after this experience to take on an entrepreneurial experience myself and use my prior management role experiences in larger organizations, such as L’Oreal, to grow and build a brand from the ground up. It’s been wonderful to grow Province Apothecary and bring healthy, toxic-free effective products to more people.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
I love 2021 International Women’s day goal of achieving an equal future! Today is a day to celebrate the amazing achievements of women.
How do you empower your team when facing an issue?
I think it’s important to listen to and really understand everyone’s ideas, feedback and perspective. Open communication is key! I try to provide support in the way of ensuring the team has all the tools and information needed to be successful in their respective roles.
Please share the one accomplishment you are most proud of.
The Province Apothecary Team.
Dana Stewart, Co-Founder, Mad Hippie
What inspired you to start your business?
We started Mad Hippie with a dream of creating skincare products that would complement our lifestyle. We were particularly inspired by the surf community, which my husband was a part of, to create clean skincare products that would protect and heal sun-damaged skin. Since 95% of skin aging is the result of sun damage, we found that a lot of people were seeking the same ingredients and were drawn to the simplicity of the routine. Mad Hippie was born from this desire to create simple, clean, results-driven skincare that is affordable, straightforward and fits easily into daily life.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women. I feel profoundly grateful to the women before me who opened doors for future generations.
How do you empower your team when facing an issue?
Our team’s success is tied to trust and open communication. We value the perspectives of everyone on our team and encourage open and honest dialogue. We recognize that the unique perspectives of the individuals on our team help us overcome obstacles.
Please share the one accomplishment you are most proud of.
Mad Hippie has given us the opportunity to work with incredibly talented people united in creating a voice of positivity and inclusivity, and helped us shine a light on non-profits we hold dear. It has also afforded us the ability to help move the beauty industry toward cleaner and more sustainable practices.
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2021: Day 2 was originally published in Think Dirty on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.