Friday, December 29, 2017

The Smartest Celebrity Skincare Advice of 2017

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 PIN IT
Photo: Instagram/@mirandakerr
The search for pristine and glowing skin is endless and eternal—even if you think you’ve figured it out, there’s no such thing as too much information or too many complexion-improving tips. And if you’re a celebrity, you’re probably getting advice from the top skin-care experts and glam squad members around.
And in 2017, they weren’t shy about sharing the wealth (of wellness-friendly beauty advice). From Miranda Kerr’s favorite fruit—which she swears gives her a megawatt radiance—to Chris Pratt’s surprising sheet mask strategy, healthy celebs offered up a lot to think about (and try on our own!).
hannah bronfman favorite beauty productsPIN IT
Photo: Instagram/@hannahbronfman

1. Hannah Bronfman’s post-shower routine

The fitness figure shared that she gets her glowing skin from a combination of post-shower oil elixirs and toning serums.
Miranda Kerr skin secret noni fruitPIN IT
Photo: Instagram/@mirandakerr

2. Miranda Kerr’s noni juice obsession

The supermodel, founder of Kora Organics, and Well+Good Council member attributes her glowing and luminous skin to the noni fruit habit she picked up from her mother. 
lea michele jade rollerPIN IT
Photo: Instagram/@leamichele

3. Lea Michele’s puffy eye hack

Waking up with “sushi face” is not fun—and Michele’s tip for dealing with puffy eyes is a cult-favorite jade facial roller.
jessica alba clear skin smoothie recipePIN IT
Photo: Instagram/@jessicaalba

4. Jessica Alba’s skin clearing smoothie recipe

Eating your way to great skin is no longer niche and Alba’s smoothie recipe is packed with ingredients to fight inflammation and hydrate her skin.
chris pratt skincare double maskPIN IT
Instagram/@prattprattpratt

5. Chris Pratt’s double-masking routine

The only thing better than one face mask? Two face masks. The Guardians of the Galaxy star is one of many on the multi-masking train.
PIN IPhoto: Instagram/@helenachristensen

6. Helena Christensen’s DIY magic

The supermodel creates her own exfoliator using a kitchen staple—coffee grounds.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Kiss Those Dead Skin Layers Goodbye!


One of the biggest gifts you can give your skin is exfoliation. Why? The surface of your skin is covered in a layer of dead skin cells that can make your skin look dull — and prevent your skincare products from doing their job. Exfoliation is the way to eliminate this layer of dead cells.
What kind of exfoliation is right for you?
Exfoliation can be gentle and adjusted to your skin’s needs. Choose the kind of exfoliation based on the sensitivity of your skin.
Three types of exfoliators
  • Physical exfoliation, found in cleansers and cleansing scrubs, works by using tiny biodegradable exfoliators like sugars and salts to remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface.
  • Chemical exfoliation, found in cleansers, toners, moisturizers and masks, are molecules like Alpha-hydroxy Acids, Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid. Their job is to loosen the bonds that hold old, dull cells onto the surface of the skin.
  • Micro-exfoliation, another form of physical exfoliation, is often achieved with a cosmetic tool such as the AMP MD Roller which uses tiny, stainless steel tips to break through the layer of dead skin cells.
Push those dead skin cells out of the picture with ENHANCEMENTS Micro-Dermabrasion Paste
This oil-free physical exfoliator for radiant skin uses a salt and sugar blend for maximum exfoliation. It can be applied on wet or dry skin, its strength adjusted by the amount of water combined with it. Use it up to three times a week on the face and body. (If you have sensitive skin, patch test first, please!)
 Your Regimen — I’ll have the combo please
Combine both physical and chemical exfoliation. REDEFINE Daily Cleansing Mask gently exfoliates with finely granulated exfoliators to smooth skin without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier. REDEFINE Pore Minimizing Toner contains Poly-hydroxy Acids to exfoliate pore-clogging dead skin cells.
REVERSE Deep Exfoliating Wash utilizes a multi-mechanism exfoliating system. Alpha-hydroxy Acids loosen old, dull skin cells so physical exfoliators can effectively sweep them away for a fresh, polished surface that is primed for the next steps of the Regimen. REVERSE Intensive Brightening Toner uses Salicylic Acid to help reveal a more radiant complexion.
Micro-exfoliation. The best spent minute in skincare
Micro-exfoliation with the AMP MD Roller can be done with both the REDEFINE and the REVERSE Regimens. Laser-cut stainless steel tips gently permeate this top layer of dead cells, amping up the power of ingredients layered on afterwards for faster, more dramatic results. This also conditions skin for visibly advanced firming while refining tone and texture at the same time. It only takes a minute to roll the entire face and neck area. The AMP MD Roller, part of the Rodan + Fields AMP MD System, has been re-engineered for an ergonomically superior, smooth roll and clinically tested to enhance the efficacy of your skincare routine.
Exfoliating as a way of life
Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields believe that regular exfoliation is the best way to get your skin to look younger.  Their motto is, “Kick out those old cells and bring in the new!”
And that’s the beauty of exfoliation.

Monday, December 18, 2017

One Week Before Christmas . . .


Do you have a "Christmas Tree" of products in your bathroom that didn't do what they said they were going to do? NO MORE! Rodan + Fields gives you 60 days on every single product, every purchase to be completely satisfied or your money back!!  

Thursday, December 14, 2017

New Product: Bright Eye Complex


THE EXCITING NEW WAY TO FIGHT UNDER-EYE CIRCLES

If you’re dismayed by dark under-eye circles, puffiness and dullness, you’re not alone. Whether caused by stress, fatigue, allergies, genetics or a combination of all four, dark circles and puffiness affect many of us, especially as we age.
Rodan + Fields scientists targeted these concerns with a new eye cream developed to address the appearance of dark circles and puffiness over time while offering instant brightness: Active Hydration Bright Eye Complex.
Combatting the Look of Under-Eye Circles
Bright Eye Complex combines two effective humectants, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid, that intensely hydrate the delicate skin under the eyes — essentially adding water to “plump up” thin, dehydrated skin to make dark circles and puffiness less visible. And the hydration is continuous, thanks to proprietary technology that draws moisture from the atmosphere and locks it in, creating a reservoir from which to draw.
Brightening Tired-Looking Eyes
The formula is also infused with caffeine, phytonutrients and illuminating brighteners that address visible dullness and lack of radiance under the eyes. The result is eyes that instantly look more vibrant, rested and refreshed, with results continuing to build over time. (Don’t just take our word for it: In a recent study, 93% of consumers reported brighter eyes.*)
The Inspiration
Bright Eye Complex came to be after Dalia Stoddard, Vice President of Product Development, came across a study that found if you super-hydrate a bruise, it will appear to lose color and become less visible. Intimately familiar with the hydrating properties of R+F’s patent-pending 3D3P Molecular Matrix — the proprietary technology referenced above — she wondered if it could somehow work its wonders on the thin, delicate eye area.
“I talked to the Doctors about my discovery and they saw the big idea,” Stoddard explains. “They knew the power of our innovative 3D3P Molecular Matrix, and Bright Eyes was born.”
Learn more about the benefits of Active Hydration Bright Eye Complex
 *Based on a four-week US consumer study. Results may vary depending on multiple factors: age, gender, skin type and condition, concomitant products used, health history, location, lifestyle and diet.

Monday, December 11, 2017

In the News . . .

This fall, I shared with you the science behind our revolutionary NEW AMP MD System, powered by Redinal-MD Technology. And now, beauty and skincare experts, including  SHEfinds, and NewBeauty, are singing the praises of this ground-breaking launch and R+F innovation! If you haven't yet tried our brand new AMP MD Roller, I promise you will not be disappointed! 

Friday, December 8, 2017

Dry Skin or Lips?

Winter weather is here!! If your skin or lips are feeling the effects of the dry air I have two AWESOME products to keep your skin hydrated and healthy - Active Hydration Serum and Lip Renewing Serum! Message me today and I will hook you up! Better yet - join my team and your products will be a tax write-off!   


Thursday, December 7, 2017

Before & After: Redefine

I often show Before & After pix of my friends and customers using Reverse, UnBlemish and Soothe as those can be quite compelling. But, Redefine customers experience the same awesome results - firmer, more hydrated skin, minimized pores, and less fine lines/wrinkles. My customers (including myself) using Redefine are very very happy - and you can see why in this before and after of Veanne.
 

Monday, December 4, 2017

2017 Holiday Gift Guide

I know many of you have Rodan + Fields on your Christmas list this year and I'm so excited for your new skincare to arrive! Our products and tools are a great thing to give for Christmas to your sisters, moms, aunts, husbands, babysitters, nieces, sons, daughters, everyone! Who doesn't love the gift of great skin?!  People Magazine recently did a poll and SKINCARE was listed as one of the top 3 gift ideas this year for both men and women!! Beautiful skin is something that goes with EVERY outfit and always makes you feel confident and glowing! There are lots of packages and promotions right now for the holidays - let me know what you are wanting and I'll help you find the best deal for you!   

Gifts for Everyone on Your List:

Here are just a few of my VERY favorite Rodan + Fields products. I use all of them regularly and am a huge fan! They give so much value for their price. The gift that keeps on giving! Make sure to place your orders with me by December 13th to get in time for Christmas! I can get you FREE Shipping anytime!

$ Price Point ($16-$23)
$$ Price Point ($50-$72)
$$$ Price Point ($89 - $135)

Friday, December 1, 2017

Is Your Skin Holiday-Party Ready?

From the number of shopping days left to the clock striking midnight on New Year’s Eve, countdowns are a staple of the holiday season. As you make your list of holiday to-dos — and check it twice — don’t forget about your skin.

Yes, your skin. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and beautiful skin isn’t created overnight. Think ahead this holiday season and you can reveal a glowing, confident new you every time you make an entrance. Not sure where to start? Check out our suggested timeline below. And while you can expect visible results in as little as 30 days, be sure to continue your regimen into the New Year to see best results at 60 days. It’s never too early, or too late, to start counting down to the best skin of your life.

Holiday-Party Countdown to Confidence

4 – 6 weeks in advance:
Add next-generation Vitamin A and skin conditioning to your REDEFINE or REVERSE Brightening Regimen. The AMP MD System combines dermatology-inspired micro-exfoliation with the clinical strength REDEFINE Intensive Renewing Serum to reveal refined, smoother, firmer-looking skin.
Using the REVERSE Lightening*, UNBLEMISH or SOOTHE Regimen? You can still have the benefits of revitalized, younger-looking skin by incorporating Intensive Renewing Serum sans the Roller.
TIP: This is also the time to place additional focus on taking care of yourself from the inside out. Consider increasing your water intake and taking a supplement designed to promote healthy skin.
2 – 4 weeks in advance: 
Start working towards party-ready eyes by selecting the eye cream that’s best for you. To reduce the look of dark circles and puffiness, use new Active Hydration Bright Eye Complex morning and night. To minimize the appearance of expression lines and wrinkles, add REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream to your nighttime Regimen.
TIP: Prep for some glamour by applying Lash Boost each night. The conditioning serum features a proprietary formula that improves the appearance of lash volume and length.
2 – 3 weeks in advance: 
Plan to give lips a fuller-looking pout. After completing your Regimen at night, use REDEFINE Lip Renewing Serum to maintain fuller, younger-looking lips and help retain their natural moisture.
TIP: Your skin will benefit from extra hydrating, too. Now is a great time to incorporate Active Hydration Serum into your Regimen.
Day of the event: 
Get a sun-kissed glow without the sun. ESSENTIALS Foaming Sunless Tan begins to develop color in 2-4 hours. (Don’t get dressed until it’s fully dry!) For sheer sun protection, finish with ENHANCEMENTS Mineral Peptides Broad Spectrum SPF 20. Its light-deflecting minerals help reduce visible redness while evening-out the look of skin tone.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Why is Vitamin A So Great for Our Skin?


REAPING THE BEAUTIFUL BENEFITS OF VITAMIN A FOR YOUR SKIN


Can we really have an impact on the way our skin looks as we get older? The answer is: yes!
Vitamin A is clinically proven to make a huge impact on how skin ages when used daily. Dermatologists have been prescribing it for decades as the gold standard for smoothing and firming the look of skin for a healthy, more youthful appearance. When it comes to delivering long-term benefits, it gets an A+.
However, there’s a hitch: Prescription Vitamin A causes irritation, making it difficult for consumers to use daily. As you know, the things we do for our skin on a daily basis are the things that really make a big difference.
So how can you reap the benefits of Vitamin A without the irritation or the prescription?
One way is to use products that contain Retinol, which is less irritating to the skin, but less potent and effective than prescription Vitamin A.
The innovative way is to use Retinal (with an A), which is one step closer to prescription Vitamin A than Retinol. In fact, Retinal is 20 times more potent than Retinol, and the benefit to you is faster, more dramatic results.
The ability to use Retinal is innovative because until now, no one knew how to stabilize and deliver it effectively.
R+F Intensive Renewing Serum with Retinal-MD Technology is as close to prescription Vitamin A as you can get. So, if you’re looking to amp up your results (and who isn’t?) Intensive Renewing Serum has been clinically tested to work with all skin types and every Regimen, to help you see dramatic results faster and without the irritation that often comes with prescription Vitamin A.
 Here’s what some users who have used Intensive Renewing Serum have to say about their experience:
“Skin looks best ever … less makeup is huge.” — Study Participant, UNBLEMISH + IRS, 8 Weeks
“Wrinkles, fine lines and skin texture are visibly improved, which makes me very happy.” — Study Participant, SOOTHE + IRS, 8 Weeks
“Feel like my skin is looking and feeling better, younger, smoother.” — Study Participant, REDEFINE + AMP + IRS, 4 Weeks

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Before & After: Reverse

Give your skin its glow back! Check out Charlotte's REAL results!!! 

Here's what she had to say:
I grew up in New Hampshire. I was an avid runner and sun worshiper. The sun was everywhere and I loved being in it. Needless to say, I did some damage to my skin. I wish I knew then what I know now and thankful I get to help others think about it earlier on!! The Reverse regimen has provided me with incredible results and love that I get to share about it!


Friday, November 24, 2017

Lash Boost Promotion TODAY Only!


Anyone who buys Lash Boost today, Black Friday, gets a FREE Travel-sized Multi-Function Eye Cream ("Eye Crack") from me!! The perfect size to keep in your purse this holiday season so your eyes are always their freshest!  Message me today!

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving

So incredibly grateful to you my customers for supporting my business and trusting me with your bodies largest organ - your skin! Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Mineral Peptides

We don’t sell makeup with Rodan + Fields, but we do sell mineral peptides. Here is the DIFFERENCE between ours and the other leading brand mineral powders...
IT DOES NOT dissolve in water, this means you won’t sweat it off and it won’t seep into your skin, which causes the clogging of pores. It also has those MAGIC peptides, anti-aging properties. 
It is LIGHT weight and even has sunscreen! As your skin is changing with the regimen this is the only coverage you need.
3 shades.... Light, medium and bronze 
  My point is, how awesome would it be to not have to wear liquid foundation? 
And cut your daily prep down a few minutes??


Friday, November 17, 2017

Skincare Is the Ultimate in Self-Care



Self-care is a very popular notion these days—just Google the words, and you’ll see A-list celebrities sharing their rituals. Everyone has their own approach to the rejuvenating time-out, whether it’s morning meditation, weekly manicures, or seasonal juice cleanses.
Modern women are seeing the benefits of recharging and taking care of themselves, and as a recent partnership between Glamour magazine and Rodan + Fields explores, pampering your skin with regular exfoliation, hydration and moisture is a key aspect of self-care.
Even with three kids, Emily Pennington, 38, carves out time to nurture her spirit, mind and body daily. “I have to do something for myself every single day to make me the best me,” says Pennington, a Rodan + Fields® Consultant based in Birmingham, Alabama. “Some days I do yoga walk around the block or get on the elliptical. It always just makes everything better.”
Pennington loves creative projects, dancing and playing music in her home, but her “me time” is when she’s taking care of her skin. “As a busy wife, mom of three and entrepreneur, there’s always someone who needs something from me,” says Pennington. “It’s nice to stop and have [a moment of] peace and quiet.”
Maintaining her youthful look inspires Rachael Braunshweiger’s skincare routine. “Taking care of my skin is the number one thing I do for self-care,” says Braunshweiger, who lives in sunny Delray Beach, Florida, with her husband and daughters. Nobody else is going to make my skin beautiful. I have to do that for myself!
A REDEFINE™ user and R+F Consultant who worries about dark spots and other signs of sun exposure, Braunshweiger loves the fact that REDEFINE Triple Defense Treatment has broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. She also maintains that she can’t live without using ENHANCEMENTS Micro-Dermabrasion Paste three times a week. Her daily schedule includes one hour of exercise—right now, she’s obsessed with fun, high-intensity trampoline classes and weight training. She’s also never without a professional mani-pedi. At mealtimes, she savors the healthy dishes her husband cooks while they talk to their daughters about why eating good food is important.
While self-care can feel like a luxury, it is neither selfish nor indulgent, according to Braunshweiger. “Self-care is about realizing that I matter,” she says, “and that in order for me to take care of my husband and children the best I can, I need to first take care of myself.”

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Success Tips from Dr. Rodan & Dr. Fields


Want to Build a Billion-Dollar Business? Here Are 2 Simple Ideas That Helped These Two Skincare Heavyweights.

The developers behind Proactiv, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, share their success strategies and routines.
Want to Build a Billion-Dollar Business? Here Are 2 Simple Ideas That Helped These Two Skincare Heavyweights.
Image credit: Rodan + Fields
Editor's Note: Entrepreneur's "20 Questions" series features both established and up-and-coming entrepreneurs and asks them a number of questions about what makes them tick, their everyday success strategies and advice for aspiring founders.
In 2002, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields founded Rodan + Fields, a skincare brand built on the promise of offering consumers innovative anti-aging skincare products that are backed by clinical results. With a reported net revenue of $1.15 billion in 2016, the concept, it would appear, is working. 
In addition to founding R+F (and maintaining their medical practices), the doctors also developed the acne treatment powerhouse Proactiv. In April of 2016, they reportedly sold their royalty rights for an estimated $50 million.
We caught up with busy founders to ask them 20 Questions and find out what makes them tick.
1. How do you start your day?
Katie:
 Ideally, I’ll squeeze in a workout on my Peleton bike; it gives me energy mentally and physically. Starting the day off with a routine makes all the difference in preparing for my day ahead, which is never routine.
Kathy: I wake up and meditate for 15 minutes, then check the news. I also do a high-impact 25-minute workout and stretch before heading out for the day. This routine helps me get energized and stay focused throughout the day.
2. How do you end your day?
Katie:
 For as long as I can remember, I have had trouble falling asleep. My solution is to take Valerian root and melatonin nightly. Before these herbs kick in, I catch up on my reading, whether that’s a business psychology book or a novel.
Kathy: In the evening, I catch up on reading – sometimes from up to 16 sources. What I read ranges from medical news across all specialties to philanthropy, politics and daily news. I like to compare sources to really discern the truth about what's happening in the world.
3. What’s a book that changed your mind and why?
Katie: Growing a Business by Paul Hawken, which I read back in 1988. Paul started his business, Smith and Hawken, a garden lifestyle brand, with very little capital. He points out that bootstrapping a business forces you to think creatively in deploying resources, and relying on your resilience will take you to the finish line. His book gave me permission to go for it. Back in 1989 when we had the idea for Proactiv, Kathy and I were young and just out of residency -- with Spartan bank accounts -- and not an investor in sight. We learned to be disciplined, think outside the box and set financial priorities to launch our first company.
4. What’s a book you always recommend and why?
Katie: The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen. He coined the term “disruptive innovation” more than 20 years ago and wrote about how the “little guy” can shake up an entire industry. We encourage entrepreneurs to not only look for opportunities to disrupt, but once your business is established, think a step ahead to prepare for the next disruptive innovation that could threaten your company.
Kathy: I recommend Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim. It speaks to important questions that are key to ask in the early development of your idea – questions that must be addressed early on, or you could be done with your business before you even get started. These questions are critical to success.
5. What’s a strategy to keep focused?
Katie and Kathy: Pure and simple -- it’s about purpose. Our purpose has always been giving people the best skin of their lives, whether it is through our dermatology practices or the two businesses we started, Proactiv and Rodan + Fields. We know how critically important a great complexion is to one’s self-esteem and confidence. Because we believe that the purpose of our business serves the greater good, focus, hard work and persistence have always been part of our daily lives helping us to overcome obstacles and compelling us to create products that deliver professional level results.
Our advice to entrepreneurs is two-fold: Always do the right thing. When it comes to the people in your life, you never should compromise your ideals or your integrity for personal or financial gain. Your reputation is everything.
Put your aces in their places. Bringing your entrepreneurial vision to fruition takes a team of smart and experienced people. Find them, trust them and empower them to help you make decisions and take decisive action, which will help you build the business of your dreams.
6. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Katie: I always wanted to be in business for mysel, and recognized this ambition at a young age -- starting with Girl Scouts. One year, our troop sold so many cookies, we won a trip to Disneyland. Instead of riding the rides, I spent the day outside the ticket booth selling each individual ticket. My parents couldn’t believe it when I came home with a pocket full of money. A couple of years later, around age 13, I started a small business creating and selling purses and beaded necklaces to a retail shop. In a few years, I made enough money to buy myself a car. These early experiences rewarded me for being resourceful and fueled my fire to seek an entrepreneurial path.
7. What did you learn from the worst boss you ever had?
Katie: Intimidation never works. This lesson taught me the value of being approachable and providing an environment that encourages open, honest discussion.
Kathy: Don’t avoid confrontation. Confrontation happens and you have to learn to deal with it. It's always hard, but running away is not the answer. Confrontation can still be uncomfortable for me, but it’s important to be able to address difficult topics and talk about different points of view. 
8. Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work and why?
Katie: My father. As a young girl in the 1960s, I was lucky to have spent a lot of time with him when my mom went back to graduate school. Our dinner time conversations and the words of wisdom he gave me through stories of his extraordinary life as a depression era kid, a UCLA student body president, a Marine in WWII, and a federal judge, guide me until this day. I learned from him “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” I was encouraged to “be my own boss, make my own money and determine my own destiny.” And, I was inspired by his work ethic, compassion and indefatigable determination to help those in a less fortunate or powerless position.
Kathy: My parents. My dad was an ophthalmologist and he went to work with joy and purpose. He wanted us to be our own boss and to be able to change others’ lives. He always encouraged us and demonstrated first-hand the importance of being reliable, honest, accountable and having high integrity.
9. What’s a trip that changed you?
Katie: I went to Scandinavia with my parents when I was 13. On that trip, I met a Norwegian boy who had just run away from home. We stayed in touch, and he came to California many times over the years that followed. After meeting my uncle, a self-made real-estate developer, my friend moved from manufacturing sweaters to investing in the burgeoning Oslo real estate market, eventually becoming one of the most successful people in his country. This experience taught me to always be open to meeting new people from diverse backgrounds. You learn so much from each other, and you never know the impact you can have on their life and vice versa.
10. What inspires you and why?
Katie and Kathy: We’re inspired by our patients to make products that deliver life-changing skincare results, our families and each other. Doing the right thing. Taking the high road. Executing to that goal every time is one of our guiding principles.
11. What was your first business idea and what did you do with it?
Katie: My first business started at age 13, selling purses. I was inspired after seeing a purse that I loved but couldn’t afford at a trend-setting store for teenagers in Los Angeles. After learning to source the materials wholesale I used my sewing skills to figure out how to design and make the purse even better. I ended up supplying a store called The Light Brigade with my purses until I went off to college.
12. What was an early job that taught you something important or useful that you still use today?
Katie: From my first days as a medical student rotating through the obstetrics ward, I learned the meaning of trial by fire. In my case, how to respond to a pressure-cooker situation when you lack the skills or confidence to do so. After watching a first-year resident deliver a baby, I was told to deliver the next baby on my own! Terrified as I was, I managed. By the end of my rotation, I was teaching the next group of incoming students the skills I had acquired. The principle, “see one, do one, teach one” carries forward today in our business model. Our incoming Rodan + Fields consultants learn from our field development corporate team and other successful consultants how to build their business and service customers with excellence and pride.
Kathy: As a kid I would help clean the mirrors in my dad’s ophthalmology office on the weekends. He was very proud of the work he was doing to improve lives and give people vision. He had a sense of purpose, and it was a lot of fun! He taught us to be independent.
13. What’s the best advice you ever took?
Katie and Kathy: Surround yourself with the best people, and make sure it is people with diverging views. And listen to them and trust them. It doesn't mean that you're going to give them carte blanche, but you have to realize that there is no way you could know everything that you need to know to do your business. Focus on where you are strong and put others in place where you need support and are not the expert. Know when you are in over your head.
14. What's the worst piece of advice you ever got?
Katie and Kathy: We were once advised to not move forward with the Proactiv contract. We’re glad we did not listen.
15. What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
Katie: Make a written list and abide by the adage “done is better than perfect.”
Kathy: Find an accountability partner. We’ve been lucky to have each other as partners who share the same goals and burdens.
16. Is there an app or tool you use in a surprising way to get things done or stay on track?
Katie and Kathy: We both use the standard notes app on our phones for updating our to-do lists in real time, going back to the importance of writing things down.
17. What does work-life balance mean to you?
Katie: For me it all blends together,r and I’ve stopped trying to separate the two. Because I have family and friends who work in our business along with employees and consultants I dearly love, I have as much fun at a work-related event as I do on vacation. Fortunately, I inherited a good dose of my mom’s energy, so working hard, playing hard comes naturally.
Kathy: Both family and work should give you great satisfaction. If something is not working, find out where the problem is and do something about it so you don’t repeat the same thing. To truly achieve work-life balance, you have to sacrifice the things that are not working for you.
18. How do you prevent burnout?
Katie and Kathy: Go off the grid every once in a while. We both try to unplug, spend time with family and travel when we can.
19. When you’re faced with a creativity block, what’s your strategy to get innovating?
Katie: I go on a hike without my cell phone or any music, letting my mind freely wander to receive ideas and solutions from my subconscious.
Kathy: Brainstorming! It is tremendously stimulating to get in a room with a group of people with different points of view and throw out ideas. For me, the wheels start turning when there's a lot of people in the room pooling ideas from different genres. It's very stimulating and a lot of fun.
20. What are you learning now?
Katie: I've taken up a private study with an art history professor. Through art, you learn to see the world through a different lens. As for my business practice, art helps focus the creative part of my brain.
Kathy: I am interested in learning more about board governance – all aspects of it, from technology to compensation. I’ve been learning on the job and now comes the hard part – class work.