An overriding theme I have discovered when I tell people
that I have started a new business as a Consultant, now Senior Consultant, for
Beautycounter is wonder. Most everyone
wants to know why… Aren’t you an attorney?
Don’t you have enough on your plate?
No, seriously you are a Federal
Attorney and now sell beauty products too?
Hmmphhhh
The answer is unapologetically, absolutely. Now let me tell you why.
First and foremost, I adore my job at the FAA. My work is important, interesting, and fulfilling. My co-workers are like my family and I am on
an upward track and plan to keep it that way.
Notice I did not say glamorous… keeping the airways safe is important
and interesting, but definitely not glamorous.
In my quest to make the world more beautiful and safe, I fell
into Beautycounter. I have always loved products. My purse is heavy with lips glosses, lip
sticks, etc. I have various lotions
going at all times. When I was in high school,
I used to mix nail polishes together for a new shade. I love all things girly and being the mother
of two boys has limited my ability to indulge in all things pretty. It is fun to use new products that work and
share with friends. I do it naturally
anyway, when I am talking to my loves about the new face wash I just adore or
sharing a super fun lip gloss.
I first heard about
the company when my friend Laura started selling it and I saw her posting about
it on Facebook. Laura, is my husband’s
best friend’s wife (also my close friend), and they live in Fishers, IN. I have known her for over 15 years and we
have even vacationed together. The fact
that Laura was selling this product gave it instant credibility. Laura is not just a wife and mother, she was
a founding member of a medical testing lab that ended up being so successful
she was able to sell the business and retire.
She is in her early 30’s. I respect and trust her business sense plus
she did all the necessary research.
The decision to become a Consultant was one that my husband
encouraged, in fact it was his idea. He
has crazy mad respect for Laura and he happened to be at their house when she came
back from a social. She told him all
about it and he came home and told me that he thought I would be really good at it and to look into the company. After hours on the phone, online
research, and an opportunity call with some of the leaders of the company, I
decided that I wanted to lean in and give it my all. It helped that the articulate and passionate
women who was speaking was also an attorney with little kids.
There are two components of this venture that I really found
worthwhile. The products themselves
coupled with the mission of Beautycounter, the second component was the
business opportunity for myself and family.
Beautycounter’s mission is to get safe products into the
hands of everyone. We are actively trying to change the laws regulating the ingredients
put into personal care products. The
United States currently bans 11 ingredients.
While other countries have almost 1400 ingredients on their banned
list. The laws in the US have not been
changed since 1938 and the companies are changing the ingredients in their
products without having to inform the consumers that are purchasing and slathering
the products all over their skin. The
more I learned about the company the more I wanted to help. People should not have to compromise their health
to get results from a product.
I also loved the fact
that Beautycounter is a B-Corporation. Which
means that the mission of Beautycounter is more than just profit. A B-Corporation or “benefit corporation” is a
type of for-profit corporate entity, legislated in 28 U.S. states, that
includes positive impact on society and the environment in addition to profit
as its legally defined goals. Among the
factors that classify Beautycounter as a B-corporation one thing that struck me
was that when any person signs on as a consultant or a member, you donate $10
to one of the partnered charities.
The products are designed in a way that is completely
transparent. They are carefully
developed to be both safe and effective.
The packaging is simple, sophisticated and elegant. I have loved every product I have used. The spa like quality of each product makes
me feel like I am really pampering myself in my daily routine. After
coming out of a long bath “testing all the products” I proudly informed my husband
that I just got done “working” so he needed to get the kids to bed.
The business side is also what ultimately led me to sign on and it did play an important part into my decision making process. I researched the market in my area. In my immediate area, Beautycounter was an untapped market. While the market is not saturated with a large group of people all selling the same product, the challenge is to spread the word. I love a challenge. I know that with my work ethic and a great team, we can really help get these safe products into the hands of more people.
That being said I am focused on growing my
team and offering this opportunity to equally determined, passionate women who
want to contribute more to their family’s bottom line and help people at the
same time. Win/Win. I looked at how much people in the company
were making and liked what I saw. The
founding members were averaging staggering amounts monthly, but even the newer
consultants were able to make a profit in their business within a short amount
of time. Most new businesses take
months to years before making back the investment, let alone start profiting.
On a personal level, I have financial goals that I would like
to accomplish and this gives me the opportunity to maybe surpass those goals. For example, paying off all our credit cards,
student loans, helping my kids with college.
Have I mentioned braces are coming up?
My son plays hockey, one of the most expensive sports. Also a
trip to Disney World, when I looked up the prices I about passed out. What
could you do with an extra $500 a month, an extra $1000?
I made the decision along with my husband, as I would
require his support, to go for it. In
listening to other people in the company I have found that the most successful
people are the busiest people. The women
who are rising to the top are the Consultants who have successful careers, who
are work at home moms with 5 kids, doctors, lawyers, and teachers, nurses.. basically everyone who works at it and does not let fear get in the way. There
is no definition for who or what makes someone successful and I love that
anyone with a powerful drive and a strong work ethic can succeed in this type
of business. It is not easy but it is
fun.
Fear held me back at first. When selling a product you put
yourself in a vulnerable space. My least favorite place to be, no likes to feel
vulnerable. But putting yourself out
there is how leaders and successful people are built. Fear is powerful and has had me questioning
lots of areas of my life. I fear
rejection, being embarrassed, failure, etc.
I just decided that it was my duty to push it aside and do it
anyway.
To answer the question of Why? My short answer is………. Dream Big, I always
have, why stop now?
Katebarber.beautycounter.com
