As a group of women working towards common goals for STYLE Canada‘s brand and business, we understand the value of peer support in the workplace. So, after our last Supper Club at Soho House, we decided to bring like-minded women in business together and feature them in an ongoing series: #LeadingLadies. Here’s hoping that we’ll see you at our next Supper Club. Keep your eyes peeled on our events page for more details.
Photo: Kate Robichaud via @threecrownsbranding.
Kate Robichaud – Wife, mother and clean beauty advocate
Location: Burlington, Ont.
Industry: Clean beauty
Professional title: Executive Director at Beautycounter
SC: What has your career path looked like?
KR: My entrepreneurial journey started 11 years ago when I was almost hit by a cab in Toronto trying to deliver a request for proposal on time. I was an account rep for a big advertising agency in Toronto. I had minutes to the deadline and knew I had a long elevator ride ahead of me so I dashed across Adelaide street to shave off some minutes and was almost hit. This was a definitive, life changing experience for me and I knew I wanted to work for myself. I quit my job the next day and started real estate courses shortly after. I had a successful decade as a realtor, but after the birth of my second child I was looking for more. I was looking for a business that wasn’t on call day and night, one that would have more consistent income month over month and one that really fuelled my purpose and was in alignment with my values. So, three years ago I aligned myself with Beautycounter to simultaneously build a business, educate people on lack of regulation in the cosmetic industry, how to empower themselves to shop safer and fundamentally change an industry that’s long overdue for it.
I have an autoimmune disease called Graves that affects the thyroid. After my second was born I had a big flare up and my doctor encouraged me to have it removed. I wasn’t ready for that, so I asked for two months grace and immediately dove into research to see what I could do to improve my health. I changed my diet to organic and paleo, I reduced as many plastics from my home as possible, I switched to natural cleaning products and to clean skincare and cosmetics. By my next appointment eight weeks later, I was in remission. It became very clear to me how important it is to reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals in our environment by focusing on what we can control and swapping out for safer options.
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This was the spark that lit my fire to educate and empower my community on the impact small changes can have on our health. Beautycounter has given me the platform, resources and education to share this information on a broader scale. As women we shouldn’t have to sacrifice our health in the name of beauty. Part of my job at Beautycounter is not only to offer a safe, high performing option, educate people on what ingredients to avoid and how to shop safer, but it’s also to advocate for change on behalf of all Canadians and Americans. We are demanding stricter regulations on the personal care & beauty industry, because right now companies are allowed to put products on shelves that have harmful ingredients in them. We are on a mission to change that.
Over the course of three years, I have become a leader at Beautycounter and one of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is mentoring other women on building a business. It may be a part time side hustle or replacing their corporate job, but I help them fit Beautycounter into their already busy lives and meet their goals. When women support other women, amazing things can happen. I have found my purpose in helping other women step into their own personal strengths and power and build a life they want to live.
SC: What are your thoughts on practicing beauty and self-care rituals throughout COVID-19?
KR: Have you ever noticed that a little gloss or blush can really brighten your mood? Or taking the time to mask and wash your face can make for a better night’s sleep? Taking time to do a skin care routine or putting on a bit of makeup even though you’re at home can have a positive impact on your mental health. If you’ve noticed that during this quarantine, days go by without any self care, you’re in a rut and not feeling great. Take five minutes at the end of the night to do your skin care routine. Pour into yourself and love yourself. You’ve done so much giving all day long, this is a time just for you. In the morning, do the same. Take five minutes to put on a touch of makeup. You’re gorgeous just how you are, but often a little bit of a lip, blush and mascara can spike your confidence. It can make you feel like the best version of yourself. Powerful. Ready to take on the day and any challenges that come your way. Give it a try because you deserve it.
SC: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
KR: You have what it takes to do whatever you want. If it scares you, do it anyway. Let fear be your compass. You have something unique to share with the world. I trust you. Just take the next right step.
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SC: How do you hope to leave an impact on our world?
KR: I hope that by the time my children are adults, they’ll be able to go into any store and buy any product without having to read the ingredient list. That the clean beauty movement will have been successful in changing the laws in Canada so drastically that this will be their reality. I also hope that I will have been able to empower many women to start their own entrepreneurial journey, find their confidence, connect with their purpose and live the life they want unapologetically.
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