In this week's edition of Trendsetters at Work, we're back in the Big Apple and visiting Birchbox!
The relatively new beauty start-up has gained tremendous momentum for curating monthly deliveries of fabulous products to beauty enthusiasts everywhere, and we couldn't wait to get some one-on-one time with cofounder and co-CEO of the cool company, Katia Beauchamp.
Check out our interview with the savvy, stylish leading lady:
How did you get started in your career? After graduating from Vassar College with a degree in International Studies and Economics, I worked in private banking and commercial real estate in New York City. I landed my first job after on-campus and in-office interviews—I remember there were almost 20 interviews! I worked for three years before applying to Harvard Business School for my MBA.
Describe a typical day for you. It's definitely not your typical 9-to-5 day. I wake up around 5:30-6 a.m. and start to catch up on e-mails. Now that we have our business units in the U.K., France and Spain, a lot goes on while we're sleeping. As soon as I get to the office, I'm in back-to-back meetings for most of the day. My days start early and end late, but the days are so exciting and action-packed!
Tell us about the Birchbox offices. The Birchbox office is happy and energetic; there's a buzz of excitement and energy that is always present. There is also a strong sense of unity and ambition—everyone in the office is there because they are passionate about the business and are committed to making an impact.
Explain the office décor at your company. Our office decor is inspired by our brand—the space was designed to surprise and delight, which we aim to do for our customers. There are cutouts in the walls that separate the many sections of desks, and pops of color all throughout the space. We were also inspired by the name of our company. In our reception area there are birch trees and beautiful representations of birch wood throughout the office. When I walk around our offices, I'm constantly reminded of what I love so much about what we do for our customers.
Describe your office style. What do you typically wear to work? We don't have a dress code, which I love because it gives me the ability to play around with my style. My office style is almost always comfortable, while playful and bold. I love textures and pops of colors, and always pile on the accessories. My favorite pieces are from Zara, Cos and Target—which I love mixing with designer pieces by Alexander Wang, Chloe, YSL and Helmet Lang.
The best part of my job is…Getting to work with my amazing team every day, and the fact that I get to change the way consumers shop online—it's a very empowering feeling.
I never leave home without…My iPhone 5 and Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint!
What are your travel must-haves? My MacBook Air, my ear buds, a good playlist, a facial spray (usually Melvita), a hand cream—lately I'm loving TOCCA Crema da Mano Luxe, and a Twistband to throw my hair up.
And of course, we have to ask: What are your beauty must-haves? I am a huge fan of body oils, and lately I'm loving Caudalie's Divine Oil. It comes in a beautiful bottle and the packaging is practical—you spray the oil from the bottle onto your skin, makes for much more even coverage. I also love BB creams, especially Boscia's. It has luminizing properties that give you a radiant glow. Another one of my favorite BB creams is Dr. Jart's Premium Beauty Balm, which has great anti-aging benefits.
What fuels you during the work day? I usually order Thai or sushi off of Seamless.com for lunch. For a snack, I like to munch on raw almonds, granola and the occasional cookie. In the morning I always have one cup of coffee (we have coffee from Stumptown in the office) and try to drink water the rest of the day.
What are your favorite gadgets for work and play? For work, my MacBook Air, and my iPhone 5. Also, the app Evernote helps me to keep my schedule in order and I rely on it heavily. For play, I love my Nike FuelBand and SodaStream.
If I wasn't doing this job, I would be…Sometimes I dream about managing my own taco shop, serving the best tacos and cocktails in Montauk.
Can you offer advice for aspiring career girls? Work hard, ask questions, learn from every opportunity and remember to enjoy building your career. This is supposed to be fun!