Kathryn Jourav

I am who I am because of Estee Lauder, to be fortunate at such a young age. I was 19 or 20 when I started behind the counter, and the opportunity to learn how to lead was incredible. I was an education executive, or coordinator, when I graduated in 90 from university, and had the opportunity to manage from South Bay to Santa Barbara in Southern California, opening doors and developing the beauty advisors. It really had a lot to do with Estee Lauder being able to refine who I was at a young age. Then moving on to Lancome to take on the entire Northeast versus just the New York market with Estee Lauder, and moving to New Orleans - I'm very agile to discover and to support. I have a tremendous connection with every VP in the beauty industry that I'm still very close with, because I'm definitely a connector, and I've been very fortunate that it really has been their presence in my life.

I would say, I'll take it from Leonard Lauder, and just the way that he would talk with us at sales meetings. It's really the importance of keeping your eye on the ball, learning, and he would say, you know, when you go to sleep at night, make sure that you learn something new. Looking the part is a really important thing - if you want to be a president, or a vice president, you need to act and dress like a vice president. And just to really listen. You know, Leonard would say that we were all born with one mouth and two ears, and that would probably tell us something about how we should use them.

I would say it's going to be the greatest job you've ever had, because luxury beauty is really wonderful in the sense of when you can connect and help. Just know that you really love it, know that it can be grueling, where you have to get on planes, trains, and automobiles, especially when it comes to driving events. It's just a different world out there, so you have to love beauty, and you have to love people, and you want to have to drive revenue - make sure that, you know, since my world is the sales side. Be open to tech, because we're all tech companies now, and learn what's happening out there, and read. These are probably some of the key things, and really learn from it.

I would say one of the reasons for creating Bee Body Life is this whole idea that we do not work in silos, and we're all kind in the sandbox. Although I've been incredibly fortunate to have individuals that I reported to that were kind, there were some tough, tough individuals out there. It's just really learning to believe in yourself and know that you have a vision, and to come to a happy line if there's some disconnect - like marketing wanting one thing, and sales and education wanting another. It's just the importance of understanding we all have one end game, and that's driving revenue, driving loyalty, driving the trademark enhancement of a brand. That's something that I really value - who do I report to? I really take my time when I'm working as a retainer, or in the past in an actual position, asking who am I reporting to, and do they have the same values?

I would say it is integrity. It is really the kindness to want to help mentor and support others. And to really always learn, to have that desire to serve and to learn - what more can be done to make a difference. So, integrity, kindness, and just experience, really helping people have the experiences of others.