13 August 2020
Founder & CEO Slapp Ldn www.slappshop.com
CEW membership is fantastic and provides unique opportunities and access. Within my first year I attended talks at Amazon and Google, which as a Beauty Tech founder, was extremely insightful. Don’t let your membership go to waste. Attend talks, meetups and product demos. There is so much to do and you will meet fantastic like-minded people along the way.
I love discovering new products, new formulations and innovations. I have always been a beauty junkie, so I love getting stuck in, smelling new lotions, discovering new packaging solutions and generally just geeking out. I would be remiss to also not mention my peers. You meet and get the opportunity to work with many incredible women and it’s one of the few industries I’ve worked in where women are in the majority! Being your own boss isn’t easy, but it really allows you to do what you think is right and execute accordingly. I love that I am still able to have a creative outlet and bring new ideas to life. I am stepping into a new chapter within my brand and I am so fortunate to be able to do that. I can pivot or diversify as I see fit.
I am most excited about developing our new products line. It’s going to be very different for us, particularly being known as a beauty tech company, but I am very excited about what I think is an extremely unique proposition!
I would say affability. You’ve got to be someone people would want to be around and not grimace at the thought of. It’s also important to know your worth! In terms of values I believe are important in building a successful beauty business, I’d have to say tenacity and not being too precious.
Extremely. Especially as a solo founder, I really rely on those around me and those with opinions I trust. It’s important to have a sounding board you can bounce ideas off of, or have someone to tell you if something is a definite no no.
I think it is important for women to realise their voice is valid in every industry. There are many industries I have worked in where I have felt patronised because I am not part of the boys club, but I have made a point of letting my voice be heard, and it has worked. I think it is important to have the confidence to know that your opinion is as good as any; if you are in the room, that must surely count for something. Sadly we are not always in the room, but I think it is important to keep trying - and it is even more important that when you are in the room, you keep the door open for other women.