DAYSPA is the business resource for spa & wellness professionals! Each issue covers the latest in skin care, spa treatments, wellness services and management strategies.
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[ 88 ] • # dayspamagazine • october 2017 Alicia Grande CEO, Grande Cosmetics What has been the most defi ning moment of your career? Starting this company on my own, which enabled me to support my family. Other highlights include winning awards, such as ICMAD CITY's Best New Product Launch for our GrandeLIPS Nude Collection. Describe your leadership style. I'm a fi rm believer of democracy in business, and I value the opinions of all my employees. I've found a great team that trusts in the company and wants to see it grow, and that makes me want to hear their ideas even more. Where do you fi nd inspiration? I'm always searching for new products to test out—ones that help enhance a client's natural beauty but are also functional. They inspire me to create our own products. I travel to international trade shows and work closely with manufacturers all over the world. What advice would you give to would-be entrepreneurs? Understand your vision, be confi dent and love your product. Put your all into it—your heart, your fi nances and everything else. Act on your dreams and make them your reality. Find people who really fi t into the company and help keep it running so that you can focus on the bigger picture. If you believe in what you're doing and it fi lls a void in the market, you should be successful. What's in the pipeline for the company? We have a lot of exciting launches in the works. We're in the process of expanding some of Grande's cult favorites and coming up with new, innovative formulations. How do you manage to fi nd a work-life balance? I always say that if you prioritize family, the rest will come. However, I do often think of my business as my 'third child,' so to speak—I have to nurture it and give it a lot of love (that also goes for my golden retriever, Lance!). I wake up at 6:30 a.m. every day and get my kids breakfast; I'm off to the gym by 8:30 and in the offi ce around 10. I make a conscious eff ort to leave work conversations at work so that the business doesn't consume our personal lives as well. Tell us something most people don't know about you. When I was 16 years old I started my career in the industry by selling cosmetics, fragrance and skincare products at a fl ea market in New York City. I was struck by how makeup can change the way people feel about themselves. I also had a radio show called Health Buzz, in which I interviewed people about antiaging, skin care, vitamins and cosmetics. I found a doctor and scientist who created a formula that promoted longer and thicker lashes. I loved it so much because it actually worked. I then decided to have them make it for me and I've been selling it ever since! u one on one industry leader Q&A; With Diane Masi and the HSN team Receiving the ICMAD CITY award at Cosmoprof Las Vegas With Jailynne Marino and Deborah Carver at a GrandeLIPS media event RAPID RESPONSE: A Personal mantra: Think glam, think fun. Bigger is always better! A On my bucket list: Traveling around the world to experience diff erent cultures. A Can't leave the house without: GrandeLIPS and GrandeMASCARA! Beloved family member, Lance e Grandes skiing in Vermont