Beauty and Life Lessons From The Women Who Inspire Us

On spotting a gap in the market…

“I grew up in an Ashram and my parents were really focused on clean eating. Everything we ate was organic and natural. Living in Sweden was a much slower pace, and the focus was more on quality vs quantity. That was hugely impactful on what I wanted to do for my own brand and the philosophy I have around skincare and make-up. We focus on integrity, craftsmanship, quality and performance - all of which have meaning and value. That comes largely from growing up in Sweden and having European influence.”

On building a successful business…

“If you don’t take risks in certain instances, you might regret it. The formulation process for Skin Activator took 5 years! I have extremely high standards and I wanted to make sure we had it just right. At first, we were going to incorporate a fragrance into the launch but after 9 months of going back-and-forth, I ended up not wanting to add a scent. It’s always important to listen and surround yourself with people who are experts in their field in terms of building a team. It’s a group effort! Trust your intuition.

On spotting a gap in the market…

“Combating inflammation has been central to my entire career; I studied sports medicine and worked in the field of anti-inflammatory molecular orthopedics before shifting into anti-inflammatory aesthetics. I translated the science from orthopedics into skin to create the first patient blood plasma facial in 2002. That same year, I invented my first doctor-issued blood plasma-based cream, called MC1, and prescribed it to my patients. And Dr. Barbara Sturm Molecular Cosmetics was born”

On building a successful business…

“Always follow passion, never money or fame. Starting a new venture is challenging; it demands courage, resilience, and an unshakeable work ethic. You have to be willing to take risks, to push through challenges, and to stay committed, even when the road gets tough.”

On spotting a gap in the market…

“Our first product, the Brow Wiz, was developed after realizing the need for a precise brow pencil. It took several iterations to perfect the formula, but the response was overwhelmingly positive, which motivated us to expand our product range.”

On building a successful business…

“Believe in yourself and your ideas. Always stay true to your vision and values, even when faced with challenges.Surround yourself with supportive mentors and peers, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Persistence and passion are key ingredients for success.”

On beauty advice…

“I’ve learned that less is often more; embracing your natural beauty can be just as impactful as any make-up.”

On spotting a gap in the market…

“I was sick of my overly extensive skincare routines and the cosmetic confusion that came with it. I had been looking for skincare that not only worked—and treated my skin without causing more issues—but didn’t require around 15 steps every single morning and night. Skincare had gotten so complicated and I knew if I was confused, many others probably were as well.”

On building a successful business…

“Throw away the playbook! Blaze your own trail because what works for others may not work for you. That is the root of entrepreneurship. And remember, you're never too young to start (I got my first real job at Sam Goody when I was 13 and a half and started my first company when I was 22 years old) and you're never too old to dream a new dream and begin again, and again.”

On beauty advice…

“If you only buy one thing, buy the Resurfacing Compound, it literally takes the place of eight serums in one bottle and gives your skin everything it needs to look visibly renewed.”

On spotting a gap in the market…

“I was inspired to create Emma Lewisham when my doctor warned me against certain skincare ingredients. Having recently lost my mother to cancer and hoping to become pregnant, my health was on my mind. However, it was until conversation that I had considered this to include skincare. I wanted to create skincare that is not only pure and good for people but is luxurious and scientifically advanced.”

On building a successful business…

“Consistency and patience is key. People think that it’s the one big thing that you do that makes an impact and drives success but success is built from an unwavering commitment to consistency - day in and day out - brick by brick.”

On beauty advice…

“I have been reading a lot of Roald Dahl to my daughter recently and love the quote, ‘If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams, and you will always look lovely.’ Beauty is contentment, kindness, empathy and authenticity.”

On spotting a gap in the market…

“After the birth of my daughter in 2012, I spent six weeks in the hospital with septicaemia —exhausted, and barely functioning. I was prescribed a cocktail of medications that only made me worse, and supplements that offered no real relief. Then I met Professor Paul Clayton, a world expert in preventative health, who introduced me to a protocol of patented, peer-reviewed ingredients—clinically proven, properly dosed, and fully bioavailable. Within weeks, I felt transformed. That’s when I saw the gap. LYMA was created to bring science-backed, evidence-based wellness to those who refuse to settle for anything less”

On building a successful business…

“Remember it’s your journey, your timing and even slow progress is progress. Keep showing up, even on the hard days - your effort will compound over time. Whether it be business, beauty, life goals, relationships, I can’t think of anything that this isn’t relevant for - long term consistency always beats short term intensity.

A method I’ve coined ‘one, two, three, say it’. It can be thoroughly overwhelming and intimidating to ask a question, voice an opinion or simply say no in a room full of enthusiastic marketeers, big time investors or prestigious scientists but I count in my head to three and then force myself to say whatever it is I need to. It’s never easy but nor has it ever failed me.”

On spotting a gap in the market…

“Hair brushing is more than just a styling step—it’s a true health, beauty and wellness ritual. We realized that hair brushes were often overlooked, even though they play a key role in scalp health and hair beauty. When we were developing our brushes, we spent hours testing different bristle combinations and materials to get the perfect balance of softness and effectiveness. At one point, we had so many prototypes at home that we were brushing our hair multiple times a day just to compare them all!”

On building a successful business…

“Surround yourself well. The entrepreneurial journey is full of ups and downs and having the right people around you—whether it’s partners, mentors, or a strong team—makes all the difference. And don’t be afraid to take up space. Women often hesitate to assert themselves in business, but if you believe in your idea, go for it with confidence.”

On joining the family business…

“Working as a family means we inspire each other, it’s great to be of different generations with different points of view, which helps us stay relevant. My mother [the founder of Sisley] cares a lot about faith and values, how you live your life, what’s important to you. Such values are important in work, too, especially in a family business. It’s how we can make the difference.”

On building a successful business…

“Set trends rather than follow them! Follow your instincts and nurture your drive. When my twins were born I felt conflicted about working, but a very successful female architect told me “my children have reproached me many things, but never my career. They are proud of it.” I thought that was very good advice.”

On spotting a gap in the market…

“I thought I could do something different. I was passionate about formulating products that bring about real change in the skin. Seeing someone’s happiness grow because they have more confidence in their skin is what inspires me daily, just as it did when I started the brand.

On building a successful business…

“I love the Walt Disney quote, “Keep Moving Forward”. Mistakes and failures happen. We’ve launched products I’ve wholeheartedly believed in, and they just haven’t resonated. You just have to drop your ego and keep going.”

On beauty advice…

“As women, we’re often taught to sacrifice our own happiness to the point where we’re not even sure what it looks like to take care of ourselves. In a way, skincare is a part of that: it’s taking care of yourself, and it’s saying yes to positive change in your life.”