Actress | Business Owner
I'm originally from a small island in the middle of the Pacific, Kauai. I've had a pretty colorful journey since then. I'm credited as an actress, writer, producer and now skincare entrepreneur. I am eternally evolving with my interests and purpose. Right now I'm on a clean skincare mission, among other things. I've produced pay per view boxing specials, been on some of the biggest syndicated shows, and I've worked in radio. I went to college to study Theater when I was 16 at Chapman University and never looked back, I guess. The last couple years I have been building an ultra clean luxury skincare line, from the ground up, called Vie En Rose, where I am currently the CEO.
What were the biggest initial hurdles you faced and how did you overcome them?
Where to begin, it's all so stressful! That's why you really have to enjoy all the tiny little victories, because they fuel you during the shadow moments. I would say a major hurdle that Vie En Rose deals with, is the government's piracy and ungoverned rules around cannabis and CBD. They don't want you to get educated about a holistic miracle ingredient that helps cure opioid addiction and anxiety, and curbs acne. They regulate CBD as a class one drug along with heroin. Think about that. They also prescribe it to cancer patients for medicinal reasons. Now think about that. Maybe they think they make it absolutely impossible to market online. They can control it and company's will just give up because they make it so hard. Before the pandemic, Sephora was devoting shelves to CBD. Now they pulled back because it's hard to market online, but don't think for a second it's because it's not amazing. It's the best skin care beauty ingredient, truly, with the hardest regulations. The world gets rich off of making you sick, and we are in the business to heal.
What advice do you have for young people locally and internationally who are just starting out in their careers or pursuing their passions?
Don't give up! No matter how much you want to. Be tenacious and bullish, but not too much that you're your own demise. If we become too set in our ideas, sometimes they're bad, and we should listen to other people. Yet also, sometimes ignore everything everyone says, because if your brand could have already been done before, they would've done it. That's what makes it unique to you.
Make sure you're solving a problem. Your entire life can change in a day and don't forget that. If you're having a moment of feeling stagnant and hopeless, we've all been there. It's what you do during these tough times, where is the testament of character. If you fall apart, your problems and failures become bigger. Just keep getting up and trying no matter how many times you fall.
And always remember why you started - if you don't stand for anything, you'll fall for everything. I came from a rock in the middle of nowhere, knowing no one to Los Angeles at 16 to become an actress. You just have no idea where life is going to take you, so be open. Also treat everyone with respect, dignity and kindness. In business you can never have too many allies. Find mentors, collaborators, creators, people who inspire you - and fill up your day surrounded by as many of them as you can. It's where magic comes from.
Photos (Cred Nicholas Kalikow )