Show Notes
LeiLani is truly a giving entrepreneur. She tells her story of how she developed her business after working in the film industry as a makeup artist. Her experience led her to develop her eco and cruelty-free cosmetic business and her volunteer program offering paramedical makeup and tattooing to people who have suffered from medical conditions such as major burns and cancer. LeiLani talks about the challenges of having multiple responsibilities in her business and having a family life at the same time.
[01:28] Leilani talks about how her cruelty and eco-free cosmetic line grew out of her specialization in paramedical makeup and tattooing.
[02:16] Leilani refers to her ‘Face The Future’ volunteer program based in Langley BC, Canada. Here she offers free corrective makeup techniques and procedures.
[02:54] Leilani lists the stores and websites where her full cosmetic line is available.
[03:15] Leilani talks about how her brand has grown because of people wanting eco-friendly cosmetics.
[04:53] Leilani tells of her work with doctors in burn units where she first noticed a need for this type of products.
[06:34] Leilani says that people do not need to be referred by a medical professional to receive treatment from her volunteer program. She says that free treatments are given to cancer, burn, and trauma sufferers.
[08:20] Leilani goes into detail about how she uses makeup and tattooing for corrective work. She adds that there is more about these procedures on her website.
[09:14] Leilani recalls kicking off her career in this work doing wig styling and makeup in her home. She was then inspired to seek help from laboratories to make products that were more suitable for these patients.
[13:29] Leilani says that her revenue comes solely from the sale of the products and talks about expanding into more stores to increase her revenue.
[14:20] Leilani talks about the difficulties of mass-market sales.
[16:17] Leilani says that although the business has built up a cult following because of the origins in paramedical treatment, she does not market the products solely focused on this use of them. They are beneficial for all people with all skin types.
[17:02] Leilani talks about approaching SaveOn Foods to sell her products and then how she expanded into other drugstores.
[19:43] Leilani explains her multiple responsibilities in the company and how she manages balance her business and family life.
[22:00] Leilani says that owning a business comes with daily challenges and that it’s important not to let these stop you from progressing.
[25:29] Leilani explains that her volunteer work has given the business credibility and that she feels there is an ethos to help those with skin problems.
[30:05] Leilani advises that those with their businesses don’t take failure too seriously and to be instead encouraged by challenges to move forward with their business.
Bio – LeiLani, Founder and Creative Director of Sweet LeiLani Cosmetics, Langley, BC
LeiLani, Founder and Creative Director of Sweet LeiLani Cosmetics, has 25 years experience in the cosmetic industry. She is a hair and makeup designer for film and television, and one of Canada’s few Cosmetic Designers and Certified Paramedical Makeup and Tattoo Specialists.
LeiLani established Face the Future, a volunteer program where she teaches burn, trauma, and cancer patients leading-edge procedures for using corrective makeup at no charge. Face the Future includes life-changing procedures such as Scar Relaxation, Skin Needling and Areola Re-pigmentation.
Her work with the Face the Future program led to the founding of Sweet LeiLani Cosmetics where she developed the revolutionary Skin Care Cover Foundation, which is now commercially available across Canada in Drug and Grocery Chains.
Dedicated to empowering women, LeiLani has received The Women of Excellence award, The remarkable Women award and recognized twice for The YWCA Women of Distinction.
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