We CAN Have It All: My Interview with Josie Maran!!!

Yep, you read it right! I got to interview THE fabulous Josie Maran! I've been writing posts about her and her SPECTACULAR products for ages, so you lovelies know that I'm a fan. Of course I LEAPED at the opportunity to interview her. I hope that you find her answers as inspiring as I did; she is proof positive that women are capable of finding happiness, fulfillment, and success in all avenues of life. It's all about focus and balance...

When the new CEO of Yahoo, Marissa Mayer, announced her pregnancy it ignited an instant debate. Mayer, like many other mommy CEO’s, will continue to prove that women can “do it all.” Mayer faces criticism from people like Brian Sullivan from the MSNBC show “Morning Joe” and Anne-Marie Slaughter from The Atlantic’s website, who claim that she should take time off to raise her baby and work on the company, and her career, later.

Many other well-known female CEOs have proved and continue to prove that women can “have it all,” being successful in the business world and as a mom. For example, Josie Maran has found a way to make it work. 

"I started my company when I was pregnant with my first daughter," Maran says, "and I only stopped running it for the four hours it took me to birth my second, earlier this month" (in July). Our company's COO (my husband) was right there with me and the midwives. He caught the baby. It's crazy-making hard sometimes, but so are most things worth doing. I believe that every woman and every man can do it all, and do it all well. I send my love and support to Marissa Mayer. I know what she's going through."

Josie has proven it is possible to balance family and work life – nurse your new baby, build a company and do it all again the next day. More than just the face and founder of her brand, Josie Maran is also the key product developer, working on new products and ensuring that each formulation is made with the safest ingredients and delivers top performance.

      

Is it difficult balancing a life full of demands as a business woman with being a mother? How do you stay grounded and what advice do you have for working mothers? What does your every day schedule look like?

When you’re ready to take on the world, great things can happen. My advice? Never take “no” for an answer. All my life I had people telling me I couldn’t do it all and have it all. I couldn’t be a model because I’m short, I couldn’t have a business and a family, I couldn’t make natural cosmetics. If I’d listened to them, I wouldn’t be where I am and JMC wouldn’t exist. If there’s something a woman really wants to do, she should just do it! 

My schedule changes from day to day. If I’m in LA, I go to the office. If I’m elsewhere I phone in to conference with my coworkers. My husband Ali and I make our kids a priority. I’m lucky to have a job where I can bring my kids and have them with me at work. Rumi loves seeing all her friends at JMC, and I’m sure Indi will love coming to work soon, too. The best advice I can give to working moms is to be present in all you do. When you’re with your kids, be with your kids. Don’t divide your attention, and savor each moment.

      How does being a mother influence 1) your work ethic, 2) your outlook on life, and 3) your style choices/the way that you dress?

Becoming a mom changed my life. It makes me work harder for a better world and a better future for my kids.  They’re my inspiration for everything I do.  You could say that I’ve perfected the “natural look”—some days I’m lucky if I have time to swipe on some lip gloss! I love makeup and fashion, but my daughters will always come first.

         What is your skincare routine? Hair care? What are your go to products?

My skincare routine is super simple. I use my Argan Cleansing Oil to dissolve dirt and makeup, and follow up by putting my 100% Pure Argan Oil all over my face and body. That’s my beauty must-have. It’s 100% organic, and it keeps my face moisturized all day. Then I put on my Argan DailyMoisturizer SPF 40 to protect my skin from the sun. It protects me from sun damage, which can cause wrinkles and discoloration.

I keep my hair routine simple, too. Less is more in beauty. I don’t wash my hair every day—shampoo can be really drying and stripping. I wash it every other day and keep it moisturized with my Argan Oil and Argan Oil Hair Serum, which adds shine and makes my hair smell amazing. Every week I use an Argan Hot Oil Self Heating Hair Treatment, especially if  I’ve had to heat-style my hair for a photo shoot. It really perks up dry strands.

         What constitutes your basic makeup face?  How do you jazz it up for events and special occasions? What constitutes the difference between what’s appropriate for the office and what is best for after hours?

The first step is to moisturize your skin.  I apply my 100% Pure Argan Oil morning and night, and especially before applying makeup.  If I’m looking tired, I rub a little Argan Oil under my eyes to brighten them up.  Then I put on some Argan Tinted Moisturizer, a little Argan Color Stick on my cheeks, and my GOGO Instant Natural Volume Mascara on my curled lashes. And I’m ready to go!

Even for special occasion, I always follow the ‘less is more’ philosophy. I even out my skin with my Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation, and focus on one feature— a smoky eye for a night out, for example. My Beautiful Eyes in Beautiful Smoke palette is the perfect way to enhance your eyes and make them pop.  To complete the look I use an eyelash curler and mascara to bring attention to the eyes.  

         What’s in your makeup bag right now?

My 100% Pure Argan Oil, Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundationin Light/Medium, a Shu Uemera eyelash curler, GOGO Instant Natural Volume Mascara, Argan Color Stick in Rosey, Argan Oil Hair Serum, and a little vial of an essential oil blend that I created. It’s the best natural scent.

         How has your look changed/evolved as you’ve matured? Did becoming a business owner/boss change the way you chose to present yourself?

I’ve become more myself as I’ve grown older. I wouldn’t say my style has changed, but the way I carry myself has.  I wear my style with more confidence than ever before. 

 What beauty/style advice would you give your younger self?

Appreciate yourself! If you feel good in your own skin you’ll be the most beautiful girl in the room. Or the world!

         What advice do you give your daughter (in regards to beauty and fashion and pursuing professional goals)?

I’ve learned that real beauty comes from within, and that’s something I hope Rumi and Indi come to understand as they grow older. I want them to feel comfortable in their own skin, and not be afraid to wear bold colors, try new products, and define their own style.

         How did you get started in the modeling industry? Would you be ok with your daughters pursuing a similar career in fashion/beauty? What motivated you to start Josie Maran Cosmetics? Do you  feel like you were taken seriously as a business woman when you launched your company? What were some obstacles that you faced, and continue to face in the cosmetics industry? Do you think being a woman is a disadvantage or does it give you an upper hand?

As a supermodel and actress, I've been lucky to be around creative people, and travel, and learn by expressing myself. That’s what sparked me starting my own company. I was inspired, and I was constantly exposed to beauty products. When I make decisions, I think about what I want as a woman/model―high-performing and natural products―while also keeping in mind what I want as a mother and human―good health for my family and a safe planet.

      What’s next for Josie Maran: personally and professionally?

I’m excited to watch my girls and my company grow. We have some really exciting products coming out soon—lots of new skincare and makeup. And I’m sure my daughters have plenty of surprises to spring on me, too!

     What are your favorite spots to eat, shop, hang out, pamper yourself? How do you like to spend your quality time with your family?

•        My family and I love Itacho, a Japanese home-style restaurant in L.A. It’s our dinner table away from home. The food is made with love so it gives us energy for life. When I want to pamper myself I go to yoga. Kundalini is my favorite type of yoga. Even when I'm rushing around like a madwoman, it forces and me to take time to focus on my body and my breath, and get centered, which is always a good thing.

My family and I like to spend time at home together, cooking or doing arts and crafts. We love snuggling up and reading a book together, too. If we are looking to get out of the house, we go to the beach—Rumi Joon loves playing in the water. 

It was a great privilege to be able to ask Ms. Maran these questions; how do you think I did? Did I leave anything out? What would you have asked? I love that she is so inspiring, yet down to earth, and really focused on her family. As a wife and mother to 3 girls, I can relate to Josie in so many ways. I hope that this interview gave you lovelies some insight into the life of a mom and CEO and motivated you to go after your goals and dreams like it has motivated me! Until next time...


Ciao, XxO


Q

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