Ladies – Happy International Women’s Day! This day celebrates women’s achievements and encourages us all to reach for gender equality.
At VOESH, we’re fortunate to have hard-working, talented, and passionate women on our team, and we wanted to put a spotlight on one particular woman who inspires us, Vera Oh, CEO/Co-Founder of Voesh New York. We thought it would be a great idea to chat with the leading lady herself and gain some insight on how she became the successful businesswoman she is today.
Q: Can you share a bit about your beauty beginnings and inspiration to start VOESH?
Vera: Joseph (co-founder of VOESH) and I both came from the world of consumer electronics before we started our journey in the beauty industry. It was not easy because we had no experience or connections, but we wanted to follow our passions and challenge ourselves.
After many visits to different nail salons for our own manicures and pedicures, we recognized that there was a demand for a cleaner, safer spa experience. We came up with the name VOESH by combining both of our names to be fresh and original. The basic principle behind the brand is to create a hygienic, easy, luxurious modern spa experience for all. Our mission is to empower our community by giving them access to clean, effective skincare—self care they’ll look forward to and enjoy every day, whether it’s at home or at the spa.
Q: What was your biggest challenge?
Vera: The starting line of VOESH was our single-use hand and foot care products using vegan ingredients. At the time, our concept was very new and didn’t exist in the market. We needed to educate people about the endless benefits of our innovative, single-use spa products. We did a lot of store demos, attended trade shows, etc. but there were still a lot of turn downs and hesitations. We kept on going until we were able to find the right partners and distributors who trusted us and our vision of these products. Fast-forward to today, VOESH has been granted four utility patents and now services more than 30 countries all over the world.
Q: Why is it important for women to celebrate their successes?
Vera: Everyone defines success differently, and whether your achievements are big or small, that's ok! I used to focus on one big goal at a time (sometimes I still do), often ignoring the small ones. Adding to that, I was uncomfortable being in the spotlight. I was concerned that I would be viewed as egoistical rather than humble. As a result, I ignored small successes to hold out for big ones. Thankfully, after running a company for more than seven years, I have learned that taking the time to acknowledge a job done well boosts your self-esteem and motivates you to take steps towards achieving your next goal. Embrace celebrating your success, and you'll have a renewed sense of confidence that will become the driving force to keep going.
Q: What is one quote that has been speaking to you right now?
Vera: "There is no secret to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure." - Colin Powell
Q: How do you boost your self-esteem in moments of doubt or when feeling imposter syndrome?
Vera: All successful people face these challenges at some point. When I am confronted with these emotions, I look back on my experiences and focus on how I solved a problem or made things happen for the better. These moments of reflection give me the confidence boost I need to move past fear or doubt. I also read and do plenty of research to arm myself with the tools and information I need to be successful.
Q: Which female leader do you admire, and why?
Vera: Sheryl Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook. I read her book "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" and it really resonated with me. This book inspired me and helped me to balance my career and my family without aiming to be a "superhuman." It taught me to pursue my passions and not to hold back, as every day presents new opportunities. I highly recommend this book for women of all ages. We, as women, are worthy and capable of holding positions of power.
Q: Can you give female entrepreneurs tips on how to celebrate their accomplishments?
Vera: Your celebration or reward doesn't have to be big. Sometimes I celebrate my accomplishments by giving my partner a high five followed by a fun dance move (btw, I'm a terrible dancer). Or, after a long business trip, I will reward and celebrate myself with a weekend getaway to unwind. Remember to enjoy your efforts, energy, and accomplishments and consider including others who have helped you along the way. The key is to celebrate in a manner that you are comfortable, makes you happy, and nurtures your mind and body.
Here at VOESH, we’re all about women supporting women. We view every day as #IWD, and we hope to inspire others to do the same! Now, more than ever, it’s time for women everywhere to stand up, be heard, and be proud of who we are, where we’ve been, and most importantly, where we’re going.
