This month in Issue 2 of the BeautifulJobs E-Magazine, we got an exclusive insight into the life and career of the amazing Skin Nerd Jennifer Rock.
Did you always want to work in this industry?
Not from birth but yes, I’ve wanted to work in skincare since age 13 when my mam brought me for my first facial. I was so intrigued by the whole affair, full of questions like “why are you doing that?” – I was probably very annoying to that poor professional. It was a natural decision to become a facialist in the first place and I’m certainly glad I made it now.
What is your typical day like?
It is not so interesting on paper but meetings, meetings and more meetings, most days. I also help brands to educate on the skin when they have an event so that’s usually where I am when I’m out of office. I get home in the (late) evening and try to give my time fully to the mini nerd, Matt.
Who was Jennifer before she became The Skin Nerd?
I’ve always been The Skin Nerd in that I’ve always been nerdie about the skin and had a true grá for it. I was saying the same things about skin in the same way prior to hitting Snapchat and other forms of social media. My industry friends said that my method of skin education may be enjoyed by the online masses and so I took it from there.
As a business owner, what skills do you believe are required to succeed in this highly competitive sector?
Can I say every skill imaginable? What you need at the core of it is drive and passion, intense passion that will motivate you to do what is needed to be done and learn the other skills you will need, such as the financial side of things, which I personally have struggled with before. You also need to have a nose for niche market.
What significant changes have you seen in the industry throughout your career?
The move to digital was always taking place but in the last decade the vast majority of marketing, including new client outreach, is now online. Lately, the need to individualise skincare is real as that is what the industry is focused on at the moment and what the client wants.
What advice would you give those who want to follow in your footsteps?
Dream it and do it. Find something that you believe the industry needs and nobody is doing, get the funding together and do it. You will encounter people, including yourself, asking “why though?” but you have to brush that off and go for it. When you have that drive to innovate and to create, nothing can or will stop you.
If you were 21 again, what would you do differently?
I’m not a particularly regretful person. Regrets are key for knowing what to do differently the next time you come across a similar situation. My specific professional path of being a facialist and then international lecturer and brand educator was what led to me becoming the CEO and founder of the Cleanse Off Mitt makeup removal tool and The Skin Nerd online skin consultancy and cosmeceutical department store. In this sense, I wouldn’t change the path I took.
The complete June Issue of BeautifulJobs E-Magazine can be found on the home page of our website.
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