LIGHTING THE PATH FOR OTHERS

There are some super-people who light up a room with their presence. Their energy magnetically attracts, their smile welcomes, their warmth radiates and their wisdom fills your cup. To celebrate APPI Heritage Month, e.l.f. Beauty hosted a masterclass with 3 such superheroes who gave the e.l.f.z a peek into the paths they have taken, obstacles they have overcome and unforgettable lessons they have learned along the way. All in genuine and generous service to pay it forward, lighting the path for others.

Perhaps Patrick O'Keefe, our head of Integrated Marketing Communications, captured it best when he said, "I love these fierce beautiful women! So much kind passion."

In the spirit of being curious, focusing on continuous learning, and actively working on building new muscles, I am delighted to share their golden nuggets with all of you. If we pick up the golden nuggets that Priya Rao, Mimi Swain and Prama Bhatt put down at our Masterclass, and embrace them fully, we will grow as humans, personally and professionally. And that is what I intend to do.

BE PROUD OF THE VALUES THAT SHAPED YOU

• We are heavily influenced by our culture and traditions
• Live your values and ideals
• Do the best that you can

REFRAME THE NARRATIVE

• We spend too much time trying to figure out where we fit in, realizing maybe we don’t fit in anywhere
• There is so much more that we can do than ‘blend in’
• Reframe the narrative to realize we are the best of both worlds – the beauty of where we came from + the beauty of where we are
• Find the balance of being humble with the bliss of being naïve

REPRESENTATION MATTERS

• It matters to see people that look like you to know that you belong here
• It is important to have diverse points of view to impact outcomes
• Offer inclusive environments where everyone can find alliances
• When there is no representation: Don’t let boundaries be an anchor or constraint. Don’t hesitate to break boundaries and create opportunities
• When there is representation: Celebrate it. Amplify it.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

• Building your knowledge is power
• Focus on education
• Appreciate the revelations along the journey
• Continuously learn and adjust
• Have less of a focus on who you want to be and more of a focus on learning and growing

BE CURIOUS

• Expertise is more available than ever before
• Encourage curiosity & lead with a desire to learn
• Insert yourself into new spaces

FOCUS ON PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION

• Don’t get hung up on perfection
• Perfection can lead to negative talk and resistance
• Focus on progress over perfection and actively work on building that muscle

CELEBRATE DIVERSITY

• Diversity is everybody
• Everyone is coming to terms with being themselves
• Have pride and respect for people willing to share their experiences

BE YOUR TRUE SELF

• 7 out of 10 people are not bringing their real selves to work
• Find the spaces where it’s ok to be unapologetically you
• Set the example to signal to others what’s ok

BE HUMAN

• We’re all humans just trying to figure it out
• Lead with a human approach
• Incorporate self-care and balance

PAY IT FORWARD

• Bring people into the fold who may not insert themselves
• Be a champion who unlocks doors and creates seats for others
• Seek out mentors, sponsors and champions to advocate on your behalf

LIVE THE WORDS OF YOUR BRAND

• Embrace the limitless possibilities that beauty can provide
• Live the words of your brand seamlessly for your consumers as well as for yourselves

BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT TAKING A STAND

• Move your values forward
• Offer inclusion tips
• Foster different perspectives

LIVE BIG NOW

• Find your voice
• Find spaces to speak up sooner
• Be comfortable being different
• Believe in the power of human connection