I spent final weekend in Charlotte, NC, experiencing the Beautycounter LEAD Convention. Right here’s the recap!
My First LEAD
I’ve been part of Beautycounter for four-and-a-half years – since 2019 after I determined I had higher begin caring extra in regards to the high quality of the merchandise I used to be placing throughout my physique. However this was my first LEAD Convention! We missed a number of IRL years through the pandemic, and final yr I couldn’t make it to Austin as a result of our household seaside journey. I knew this yr’s occasion can be nice, and it WAS! Watch my recap video right here.
Touring To Charlotte
Fortunately I didn’t must journey far. I drove the boys right down to my dad and mom’ home on Thursday evening, obtained them settled for his or her two-week keep, and on Friday drove to Charlotte to fulfill my sister at her home and take a Lyft to the JW Marriott for the weekend. Right here’s the recap!
2023 Beautycounter LEAD Convention Recap
Identical to blogger conferences are magical conferences of digital associates in actual life, this convention was no completely different! Model Advocates from all around the nation flew to Charlotte for 3 days of audio system, periods, and connection.
LEAD was open solely to leaders within the firm, however now all consultants can attend. There’s additionally a digital choice for individuals who aren’t capable of journey.
KERF Loves Hillary
I used to be tremendous excited to spend time with (and room with!) my wonderful digital assistant Hillary! She’s been part of staff KERF for nearly 5 years. I’m so grateful for her! We speak on voxer on a near-daily foundation, and whereas we expect we met at a blogger convention years in the past, this was our first time actually getting to hang around in particular person.
Opening Session
The opening session began Friday at 3pm with a welcome from Beautycounter’s founder, Gregg Renfrew. Gregg stepped again final yr to present area to a brand new CEO who has since left. Your complete neighborhood was so glad to see Gregg again. The corporate will not be the identical with out her.
Gregg reminded us why many people partnered with Beautycounter within the first place: to get safer merchandise into the fingers of everybody. What drew me to Beautycounter was not simply the truth that I wanted new sunscreen and moisturizer, however that I needed to assist advocate for responsibly sourced and examined substances, transparency in perfume, and sustainable packaging.
You possibly can purchase lotions and serums in one million completely different locations. Magnificence merchandise are offered in all places, similar to there’s a espresso store on each nook. However we all know all espresso will not be roasted, brewed, or sourced equally. Beautycounter is a B company, placing individuals and planet earlier than revenue. And our merchandise are wonderful – I’ve liked utilizing them for 4+ years. By offering options for all ages and forms of pores and skin, Beautycounter is advocating on behalf of everybody to make all magnificence clear magnificence.
On the finish of the session, we have been every gifted a Countertime Routine! A reminder that the fundamentals matter as a lot because the shiny new merchandise.
Cocktail Get together
We had a cocktail occasion reception for dinner that evening – full with B cupcakes!
Saturday AM
We have been up early searching for espresso on Saturday morning. I had a Starbucks reward card so I headed there for espresso and got here again with some bland oatmeal for breakfast.
Day 2: Advocating For Clear
Then it was time for day 2! Our session opened with a chat from Lindsey Dahl who’s the previous Head of Mission for Beautycounter. (She now works at Ritual Dietary supplements, which makes me wish to drop the whole lot and take a look at them.) I belief Lindsay’s opinion on any model extra than simply about anybody! She has 20+ years of expertise advocating for safer client merchandise by way of coverage and market change. (Learn extra right here.)
She spoke about what it means to be clear in an trade the place the phrase clear is completely unregulated. Perhaps you’ll acknowledge a few of the manufacturers on this chart:
She additionally shared how Beautycounter’s requirements for issues like ingredient testing and sustainability (and extra) are increased than most firms who merely donate 1% to the planet (which is nice! However could possibly be higher.). No firm is ideal, however I’m very pleased with what Beautycounter has achieved in its first 10 years.
Coming Quickly!
And simply earlier than lunch – Beautycounter introduced an enormous new product class launch that I’m SOOOO enthusiastic about!!!
Group Lunch
We went out to lunch as a bunch for extra bonding time <3
After which poked round within the Counter Hub the place there have been a lot of enjoyable issues to play with!
Breakout Periods
There have been a wide range of breakout periods on matters like skincare fundamentals, techniques in your corporation, and variety and inclusion.
I attended a session on “How To Use Inclusive Language” that was very useful with language round gender, holidays, and different numerous classes.
The Impression Scholarship
Beautycounter has a DE&I staff (range, fairness and inclusion) and the corporate has been working to extend range amongst model advocates for years now. On the speak, I heard a number of advocates say that the group seems a lot completely different (extra numerous) than it did only a few years in the past. One of many methods they’ve been doing that is by way of the Impression Scholarship.
The Impression Scholarship is a program designed to assist fairness efforts and broaden presence in underrepresented communities. To this point, Beautycounter has been capable of welcome greater than 200 BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled Model Advocates by way of this system.
How? Every month from the 1st-Eighth, those that establish with one of many underrepresented communities can apply for the scholarship, and if chosen, will obtain the whole lot it’s good to begin a clear magnificence enterprise and turn out to be a Beautycounter Model Advocate – for FREE. (That’s value greater than $1300 in product.) Should you’re desirous about making use of, be taught extra right here. I’d be glad to speak to you extra about it too!
My sister and I went to the room to dress up after which headed to a reception placed on by the DE&I staff.
Dinner at Caroline’s
We then went again to the lodge (prompting me to vary out of heels and into flats!) and had dinner at Caroline’s Oyster Bar.
Saturday Night time Fever
The occasion of the evening was disco-themed, so individuals in all places have been in sequins. Take a look at our disco ball! They’d an open bar and handed desserts. Plus a lot of dancing!
We had a variety of enjoyable enjoying on the steps as we headed again to the lodge : )
Farewell Morning
Hillary and I lastly had an honest cup of espresso and scrumptious breakfast at Not Simply Espresso. That yogurt bowl!
@HelloFears
We wrapped up the weekend with a session by Michelle Poler who documented 100 days of fears and is now an inspirational speaker. She left us with an additional dose of confidence. Her speak with actually entertaining and humorous!
Beautycounter LEAD Convention: The Finish.
It was an epic weekend by way of and thru! The Beautycounter mission is greatest powered by individuals by way of the affect of storytelling. I heard so many tales this weekend of 100 completely different the explanation why girls have been known as in to work with this firm, together with breast most cancers, turning into a mom, or shedding a mom. Everybody already makes use of private care merchandise. Perhaps switching to safer is perhaps one thing you’re feeling known as to do.
Whether or not you’re a follower who reads my posts, a first-time or loyal shopper, or a future Advocate – thanks on your assist.
