We'd like to introduce something new.
It's a monthly series called "7 Questions with..." where we'll highlight someone we think is cool, fun and inspiring in the hopes of picking up a few pieces of wisdom from his or her life journey. Let us know what you think in the comments, and if you have a recommendation for a future interview, drop us a line!
So without further ado, here's our first installment.
Rachel Brown
7 Questions with... Rachel Brown, West Coast Beauty Editor at Women's Wear Daily
Agency Guacamole: Hi Rachel! Thank you for hanging out with us. To start, please tell us about yourself and your area of expertise.
Rachel Brown: I’m a proud third-generation Angeleno who lives in Northern California, mom, wife and journalist covering the business of the beauty industry. I absolutely love covering the beauty industry and am honored to be able to do it, and hope that at some point I will feel like an expert in it, but now I mainly feel like I’m an expert in chowing down Thai food and binge watching television shows. (I strongly recommend “Younger” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.”)
AG: Noted! OK, talk to us about social media. What's your favorite social network and why?
RB: If you ask me this question tomorrow, my favorite social media network would probably be different. Today, it’s Snapchat. The immediacy of Snapchat, and the glances it gives me into the lives of the people and brands I follow are extremely compelling.
AG: We love Snapchat, too! So fun. OK, now let's get a little deeper. What or who inspires you?
RB: Fearless entrepreneurs inspire me. People who have the courage to leave cushy positions and embark on their own ventures never cease to amaze me. Women who’ve started beauty companies like Amy Errett of Madison Reed, Galit Strugano-Wigdor of Girlactik Beauty, and Cristina Bartolucci of Peek Beauty and formerly DuWop compel me to continue to write about the beauty industry.
AG: What's one part of your routine you can't live without?
RB: I don't know, maybe lunch.
“I try to remember to be grateful for all that I have undeservedly been given... and enjoy it.”
AG: Ha! We'd agree with that. OK, as someone who has done some fantastic work in her field, how do you balance professional success with personal happiness?
RB: Often I don’t have balance, but I try to remember to be grateful for all that I have undeservedly been given – a great job, a terrific husband, a delightful daughter, supportive friends and a Jewish mother who won’t butt out no matter how much I plead with her to – and enjoy it.
AG: What's a tip you'd give to someone who wants to follow in your career footsteps?
RB: Read trade publications, newspapers and magazines, and scour social media. I’ve had interns who don’t even read the publication they are working for, but I learn so much about interviewing and storytelling from reading and watching journalists I admire.
“‘You can’t do what you can’t do.’ When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I repeat those words to myself.”
AG: OK, last question. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
RB: Occasionally, as a journalist and as a person living in the social media age, I’m overwhelmed by information and the sense I’m not doing everything I should be doing. There’s just not enough time in the day to keep up with everyone on Snapchat, Periscope, Instagram, etc., respond to emails, and be a good mom, wife, daughter and friend. I once had a colleague who would say to me, “You can’t do what you can’t do.” When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I repeat those words to myself.
Header image source: Vocativ