It's incredible to see so many women in 2016 carving out their perfect career, challenging perceptions and turning the usual nine-to-five into somewhat of a vocation. Rachel Kavanagh, Managing Director and Global Brand Development Advisor for Glossybox UK & Ireland, is the perfect example of that; that's a pretty impressive title for a woman of only 32. Her entrepreneurial spirit has lead her to not only launch her own beauty brand and dabble in the world of acting, but at the age of 29 she moved into an MD role at one of the UK's most exciting new companies. During her exceptionally busy schedule (and juggling two children under the age of four,) she was kind enough to give us ten minutes of her time to let us in on her beauty secrets, career advice and daily routine. Enjoy.
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TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF...
As well as my day job, I’m a married mum of two: Rhys is now 4 and Esme is 6 months old. Originally from Dublin, I moved to West London three years ago for my role at Glossybox. Life is pretty hectic, but I think I’m balancing well-ish! I’ve been in the beauty industry since I left collage, having started my own beauty brand (an organic self-tanning line) in 2007, and I moved on from this to take the job with Glossybox in 2009.
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR JOB?
I spoke to Glossybox about sampling my own brand and stayed in touch with the then MD. When she stepped down she contacted me, and the rest is history! I got offered the job three weeks before my wedding and had to start ten days after - as well as re-locate from Dublin to London with an 18 month year old in tow. Fun times! (This sums up Rachel's attitude - can do, will do!)
CAN YOU DESCRIBE A 'TYPICAL' DAY?
Pretty manic! The baby wakes around 6am, I feed her, put her back to sleep then get ready myself while everyone is still sleeping. I make a smoothie and a coffee and I’m out the door by 7.40am to be in work at 8.30.am. Work hours are filled with on and off-site meetings, usually with brand or box partners, and these are squeezed in between ensuring each month’s campaign is executed and rolled out as planned with the team. I get home in time to spend an hour with the kids and then put them to bed. When I’ve eaten, I usually pick up the work I didn’t have time to do during day and I’m normally in bed by 9.30pm.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACE?
Trying to prioritise my time between work and family life. Both are so busy and require my full attention, so when I’m doing one I need to focus solely on that.
CAN YOU PINPOINT A PARTICULAR HIGHLIGHT TO DATE?
I guess my appointment as MD for Glossybox. I was 29 at the time so I was pretty young, but I was ambitious and thankful that they believed in my ability.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
I’m an entrepreneur at heart, so for me Glossybox, as a concept, has just turned sampling on its head in terms of innovation. It’s so fast-paced and no two days are the same, so I’m always excited about what’s next as the sky’s the limit with this company!
WHAT'S THE BEST PIECE OF CAREER ADVICE YOU'VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Nothing commands respect more than a good work ethic.
WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WANTING TO GET INTO YOUR FIELD?
I’m in a tech beauty business, so I guess my job covers many areas; beauty, e-commerce, subscription models etc. It shows you can cover several fields at one time-but it’s important to be able to single out which part of the business really drives you and where you can add value.
HOW DO YOU UNWIND AFTER A LONG DAY?
I’m obsessed with DVD box sets; I literally binge on them. That and boxing.
CAN YOU LET US IN ON YOUR FIVE BEAUTY MUST-HAVES?
Sleek Eyebrow Crayon and Lipcote to seal this in - it keeps colour from moving! (Genius.)
Charlotte Tilbury Lip and Cheek Glow
NARS Long Wear Eyeliner
Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colour in Petal Pink
Show Beauty Volumising Mist - it gives my hair serious volume. (Plus I couldn't live without a backcombing brush.)
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Find out more about Glossybox and sign up on their website here: www.glossybox.co.uk
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TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF...
As well as my day job, I’m a married mum of two: Rhys is now 4 and Esme is 6 months old. Originally from Dublin, I moved to West London three years ago for my role at Glossybox. Life is pretty hectic, but I think I’m balancing well-ish! I’ve been in the beauty industry since I left collage, having started my own beauty brand (an organic self-tanning line) in 2007, and I moved on from this to take the job with Glossybox in 2009.
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR JOB?
I spoke to Glossybox about sampling my own brand and stayed in touch with the then MD. When she stepped down she contacted me, and the rest is history! I got offered the job three weeks before my wedding and had to start ten days after - as well as re-locate from Dublin to London with an 18 month year old in tow. Fun times! (This sums up Rachel's attitude - can do, will do!)
CAN YOU DESCRIBE A 'TYPICAL' DAY?
Pretty manic! The baby wakes around 6am, I feed her, put her back to sleep then get ready myself while everyone is still sleeping. I make a smoothie and a coffee and I’m out the door by 7.40am to be in work at 8.30.am. Work hours are filled with on and off-site meetings, usually with brand or box partners, and these are squeezed in between ensuring each month’s campaign is executed and rolled out as planned with the team. I get home in time to spend an hour with the kids and then put them to bed. When I’ve eaten, I usually pick up the work I didn’t have time to do during day and I’m normally in bed by 9.30pm.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACE?
Trying to prioritise my time between work and family life. Both are so busy and require my full attention, so when I’m doing one I need to focus solely on that.
CAN YOU PINPOINT A PARTICULAR HIGHLIGHT TO DATE?
I guess my appointment as MD for Glossybox. I was 29 at the time so I was pretty young, but I was ambitious and thankful that they believed in my ability.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
I’m an entrepreneur at heart, so for me Glossybox, as a concept, has just turned sampling on its head in terms of innovation. It’s so fast-paced and no two days are the same, so I’m always excited about what’s next as the sky’s the limit with this company!
WHAT'S THE BEST PIECE OF CAREER ADVICE YOU'VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Nothing commands respect more than a good work ethic.
WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WANTING TO GET INTO YOUR FIELD?
I’m in a tech beauty business, so I guess my job covers many areas; beauty, e-commerce, subscription models etc. It shows you can cover several fields at one time-but it’s important to be able to single out which part of the business really drives you and where you can add value.
HOW DO YOU UNWIND AFTER A LONG DAY?
I’m obsessed with DVD box sets; I literally binge on them. That and boxing.
CAN YOU LET US IN ON YOUR FIVE BEAUTY MUST-HAVES?
Sleek Eyebrow Crayon and Lipcote to seal this in - it keeps colour from moving! (Genius.)
Charlotte Tilbury Lip and Cheek Glow
NARS Long Wear Eyeliner
Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colour in Petal Pink
Show Beauty Volumising Mist - it gives my hair serious volume. (Plus I couldn't live without a backcombing brush.)
Find out more about Glossybox and sign up on their website here: www.glossybox.co.uk
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