In Conversation with Jenni Nagle of Lipgloss + Aftershave

Describe Lipgloss + Aftershave in a few words?

Legit Skincare Reviews With A Pump Of Wit + Sarcasm.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I refuse to be an employee…it’s just not in my genes. After the world of ‘influencers’ emerged, skincare brands that I was consulting with were dying to hop on this popular new marketing bandwagon; and I was having a very difficult time finding qualified, educated, and reputable people to accurately represent sophisticated products. So we decided to solve that problem: Lipgloss + Aftershave was born. 

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Esthetics has been my ‘world’ for the past 20 years. I became licensed while attending high school; I was 16 when I graduated. Looking back, that was such an amazing achievement that I don’t give myself enough credit for. That set the stage for my entire life. I worked in day spas all through college, and was convinced I would open my own spa immediately after college. Wisely, I took more time to gain real-world experience, and spent years behind the treatment room door of day spas and a medical spa. I transitioned into management roles, managing resort spas for years before having my son.  After that, the flexibility wasn’t available, nor would the lifestyle be conducive to raising a newborn, so I backed off, and further built a skincare consulting business. I would work directly with brands to help with social media, marketing and PR. 

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Yes! I have always been a hard worker, and always done more than ‘my share’ as an employee. I reached a point where I was frustrated bringing the success into someone else’s business, I wanted to reap the benefits of my hard work. 

Take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

My business partner had a very strong presence in the professional skincare world, as he had consulted with so many brands and had been speaking at industry trade shows for years. Because of that, we had a very strong base to build from, and once we joined forces and branded ourselves, we just needed to get out there as a team!

For our first two years, we spend countless hours on social media and at trade shows across the nation. We taught marketing classes to estheticians, and helped them understand how to market themselves to grow their business.  

In 2020, we realized social media could end at any moment, trade shows were virtually gone (and now virtual), and networking was much more challenging. We refocused our strategy to ensure our website was the hub of our business, and curated social media content to support it.  

We always learn the most from our mistakes, share a time with us that you made a mistake or had a challenging time in business and what you learned from it?

Have a third party or third set of eyes. Our business is run by two people; we do every single thing. We get so familiar with our content and comfortable that if something is omitted, we may miss it. Having a third part to come in and double check what you have already checked 5 times is ideal. 

What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?

Turning my esthetic license into a “Real Job”. I was told the day of my graduation that this was “fine, but someday you’ll need to get a real job.” That has stuck with me my entire life.

How has your business or industry been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?

We have always had a strong digital presence, so the pandemic only amplified it! However, it also created so many new outlets within the same space, which you could call competition, but I like to think of it as a bigger community.  This has allowed us to further refine our strategy and provide our community with what they are currently not able to access: hands-on experiences with various products and treatments, at their disposal.

What’s next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

We are starting to expand our skincare platform to incorporate more wellness. After all, the core of glowing skin is a balanced lifestyle. Healthy eating choices, stress reducing activities and life balance all play a key role in your appearance. We are looking forward to expanding our conversations and bringing this awareness to our community.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned in 2020?

“If 2020 didn’t bring out the hustle in you … then the hustle ain’t in you.” Unknown

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting your business?

Stop questioning yourself and just do it. What’s the worst that could happen? But what is the best that could happen?  Stop being so hard on yourself. When you are passionate about something, it shines through, and will resonate with the right people.

How have you managed to stay grounded this year?

Setting boundaries. When life and work collide (quite literally) under one roof, it is hard to maintain balance. Boundaries have been key.

Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?

Yes, but my work is my life…it is my lifestyle. I do manage to turn my phone off (or face down) during dinner with my family. I spend at least 30 minutes playing with my son at the end of the day. But there is also no ‘shutting off’ so to speak; it is nearly impossible for my business. So I maximize my “9-5” hours when my son is in school, and take the rest as it comes.

What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

I grew up in Colorado and don’t know how to ski or snowboard.

What are your top 3 tips to stay productive each day?

• Lists.

• Turn off notifications.

• Set a timer for social media scrolling.

What does being an Entreprenista mean to you?

It means following your passions, staying true to yourself, and allowing that combination to further define your business.  It means working overtime to build the business you want, so you can have the life of your dreams.