Nancy Twine first developed a passion for beauty when she helped her grandmother make hair care products at home. She has since turned her love for beauty into Briogeo, a cruelty-free hair care line.
From defining happiness and success to paving the way for women, check out what Twine has to say about being the female founder of a company below.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be in positions of leadership?
Being the youngest African American woman to launch a collection at Sephora means everything to me. It’s a constant reminder that the sky’s the limit for women. Like any other female founder or CEO, I’ve faced obstacles and setbacks but I never let that stop me. Being a woman is never the downfall, it’s the icing on the cake!
What’s the best advice you could ever give?
Never rush into launching an idea. Sometimes brand’s are faced with tight timelines to launch new products, but I learned very quickly that it’s not worth sacrificing putting your best foot forward in order to hit a deadline. Part of success is taking the time to be thoughtful and smart about your approach. Often we can get excited and impulsive by our own ideas and feel the need to rush them through. Slow and steady wins the race! In the end, doing things the right way vs. the fast way always pays off!
What does success mean to you?
Success for any business can be measured in different ways whether it’s sales, rankings, or accolades. However, what’s most important to me is that Briogeo makes a real impact on our consumers while always staying true to our brand values and continuing to deliver best in class clean beauty.
How do you define happiness?
My happiness is simply knowing that I get to live out my dreams every day. I couldn’t ask for more than that. Briogeo has achieved so much in such a small amount of time. I’ve had so many proud moments yet I know this is only the beginning!
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave for women in your industry?
I hope women find inspiration from my story. Don’t be afraid to take risks and be different. I knew going up against a competitive category with a clean hair care line wasn’t going to be easy. But I knew this brand was going to be game-changing. I remained confident in my vision and always kept going!
How do you drown out the negative criticism and stay authentic to yourself?
I don’t really let negativity affect me. If anything, it makes me that much more motivated. I turn my tunnel vision on and focus my energy on the goals I have for the brand and my team. It’s all about positive vibes!
Who are the women you think paved the way to where you are now?
Honestly, I admire all female entrepreneurs as we’re all leaving our own blueprint for success in the beauty category. However, my biggest heroes are women that are much closer to home. The inspiration behind Briogeo stems from traditions passed down from my mother and grandmother. I learned early on how to be resourceful and persevere. Their influence is the foundation for not only the brand but also who and where I am today.
What are three words that best describe you?
Driven. Passionate. Dedicated.
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When things get crazy, what’s one thing you always remember to do for yourself?
Finding time for self-care is so important. I try to weave in a small dose of it every day whether it’s a workout or my nightly skin care routine. It helps me unwind, relax, and refocus. But I love my self-care Sundays! Sunday is a really interesting day of the week because it’s still the weekend, but there’s a dose of anxiety thinking about all the things that need to get done for the week ahead. So it feels really nice to bring a sense of calm to a Sunday evening with a more robust wellness routine like a hot yoga class to detox and relax.
What’s the first thing you do every morning?
I like to make the best out of my mornings. I love having some “me” time, but I also like to be productive and get a head start to my day. Most mornings, I’m up by 6:30 a.m. and I like to start my day with some quick meditation. It helps me relax and prepare for the day. A few times a week, I’ll squeeze in an early SoulCycle or a yoga class. I get such a burst of energy when I’m able to work out in the morning. By the time I arrive at the office, I’m ready to conquer the day!
xx, The FabFitFun Team
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