7 Questions with...
This is an ongoing 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 latest installment.
7 Questions with... Amanda Lehner, Public Relations & Social Media Manager at The Body Shop / L'Oreal
Agency Guacamole: Hi Amanda! Thank you for hanging out with us today. You lead PR and social media for one of the most iconic natural beauty brands in the world. Your work has gotten The Body Shop tremendous media coverage, with outlets ranging from Refinery29 and Vogue to Jezebel and PerezHilton.com. And the brand's "Enrich Not Exploit" philanthropic initiative is an inspiration to other companies who want to create ethical and sustainable businesses. Wow. It's all so exciting!
We'd love to learn more about you and what makes you tick! To start, please tell us about yourself and your area of expertise.
Amanda Lehner: Thanks! Sure, I was born and raised in Kansas, and moved to New York City two weeks after graduating from college (Rock Chalk!) for an awesome job in sports and entertainment marketing. Not long after that, I started my career at L’Oreal working on the integrated marketing communications team for Redken and Pureology, and now I am the PR and Social Media Manager for The Body Shop, another one of L’Oreal’s brands.
So my areas of expertise I would say are beauty, PR and digital/influencer marketing. It’s interesting because my career has evolved so much over the last 5 years thanks to social media and technology, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! It helps to make each day different and challenging. Oh, I also live in Los Angeles now. Forgot to mention that! I moved here a year ago and have loved every second of it! The West Coast is truly the best coast... (AG Note: We agree! 🙌🏽)
AG: Very cool! Glad you like the California lifestyle. 😉 Since you're in the digital/social media space, tell us about your favorite social network and why you like it.
AL: Instagram. I can keep up with my friends, the beauty biz, news and ex-boyfriends! Ha!
AG: We imagine you get to be creative in your work. What or who inspires you?
AL: I find so much inspiration every day in the city of Los Angeles. Not only is the nature beautiful, diverse and inspiring, but so are the people. Everyone has a different story, passion and dream, and embraces, accepts and supports the differences of others, which is what I think makes it such a happy, healthy and inspiring place to call home. Oh, and Ellen DeGeneres lives here. She really inspires me. I think we should all try to be a little more like Ellen. The world would be such a better, happier place.
“I think we should all try to be a little more like Ellen [DeGeneres]. The world would be such a better, happier place.”
AG: Can't argue with that! Let's talk about things you do to "stay you." What's one part of your routine you can't live without?
AL: I have to go for a run or spin every day. It clears my head and makes me feel good regardless of whatever else might be going on in my life. Also, a lot of coffee and Glossier’s Balm Dotcom – that stuff is a miracle in a tiny tube.
AG: OK, here's a tough one. How do you balance professional success with personal happiness?
AL: I’ve always been a very career-oriented person, so being successful professionally has always brought me personal happiness. I’m fortunate to love what I do and the people I work with, so most days it doesn’t even feel like work. Who doesn’t love to talk about beauty products with pretty people all day?!
“‘You don’t always have to be the best as long as you always do your best.’ My dad has told me this since I was a little girl, and it’s how I try to live my life every day – wake up, slay, sleep, repeat.”
At the same time, I’ve found it to be so important to have a healthy work-life balance and not let my work define who I am. I never want to be the person who, because of work, “doesn’t have time” for my family, friends and passions – so I make the time. Every. Damn. Day. It’s called life.
AG: I think it's fair to say you inspire a lot of people with your positivity and creative content. What's a tip you'd give to someone who wants to follow in your career footsteps?
AL: Work hard, be kind and don’t forget to stop and smell the roses! At the end of the day, it’s just shampoo (or Body Butter, moisturizer… you get my drift). 😄
AG: This has been so fun, Amanda! OK, last question: What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
AL: “You don’t always have to be the best as long as you always do your best.” My dad has told me this since I was a little girl, and it’s how I try to live my life every day – wake up, slay, sleep, repeat.