1 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:05,160 Speaker 1: Beyond the Beauty is a production of I Heart Radio. 2 00:00:05,720 --> 00:00:17,520 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Bobby Brown. I have wanted to meet 3 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:20,279 Speaker 1: Tony co for a very long time. I've heard through 4 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:25,200 Speaker 1: mutual friends that she's a powerhouse. She is the founder 5 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 1: of the makeup brand NIX, which is also n y X. 6 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: I want to find out how it's pronounced. But I 7 00:00:32,680 --> 00:00:34,920 Speaker 1: also want to just hear her journey. She came here 8 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:38,600 Speaker 1: as a kid from Korea, she sold the company, and 9 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 1: she's done so much more since. So I'm looking forward 10 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 1: to the conversation with Tony Co. Hey, Tony, nice to 11 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: meet you. I Bobby. Nice to finally meeting you. Tony 12 00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:57,960 Speaker 1: with an eye and Bobby with an eye. Yeah. Now, 13 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 1: I don't remember who we have in common, but some 14 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 1: really cool woman said to me after I left Bobby 15 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 1: Brown Cosmetics and I was trying to figure out what 16 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:07,120 Speaker 1: I wanted to do. She said, oh my god, you 17 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: have to meet Tony. She is the coolest and she 18 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:12,559 Speaker 1: just left too, and you guys have to get together, 19 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:15,679 Speaker 1: and we didn't, but who knows what would have happened 20 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:18,840 Speaker 1: if we did. But nice to finally meet you. I 21 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:21,520 Speaker 1: know so nice. I'm so happy to meet I just 22 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:23,200 Speaker 1: want to quickly say that you know that I've been 23 00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 1: wearing your eyeshadow for like ten years. Well, you know 24 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:29,399 Speaker 1: it's not my eyeshadow anymore. It might be the one 25 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:32,840 Speaker 1: that I made, but yes, with your name, with my 26 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:36,280 Speaker 1: name on it. Yeah, you know. I don't know about you, 27 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:41,760 Speaker 1: but I I don't feel emotionally attached to the original company. 28 00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:43,760 Speaker 1: I've kind of moved on. I don't know, how do 29 00:01:43,800 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 1: you feel. Um, I felt super attached for like the 30 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 1: first three years and then I had a gradual dwindle 31 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 1: down that that that attachment over probably like the next 32 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 1: the two years after that and out, I of course 33 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 1: nearly loved the brand and everywhere I go, like if 34 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:06,560 Speaker 1: I see it, it just makes my heart flutter. But 35 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:09,480 Speaker 1: it's not like, oh my god, that like like I 36 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 1: created that, Like that's my company that I don't have, 37 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:14,399 Speaker 1: Like I just wish the best for them, and then 38 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:17,920 Speaker 1: that that's so nice. Well, we have so much to 39 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:20,800 Speaker 1: talk about before we get to that point, because I 40 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,160 Speaker 1: just want to know so much about you. I know 41 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:26,880 Speaker 1: you moved to America when you were a kid like thirteen? 42 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 1: Is that true? From Korea? Right? South Korea? Not North Korea? Ima, 43 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:40,959 Speaker 1: that's all I know. So what was it like coming 44 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 1: to this country as a thirteen year old? You know, 45 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:47,799 Speaker 1: thirteen year old back in six and thirteen year old 46 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 1: now is very different. So, um, well, back then, like 47 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 1: we were really really innocent and like literally like I 48 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:56,960 Speaker 1: didn't know what was going on. I was a little 49 00:02:57,040 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 1: kid coming I moved to us basically because my parents 50 00:03:00,919 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 1: that we're moving. It was it wasn't my toys. Um, 51 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 1: but I was super excited because I'm like, oh my gosh, 52 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 1: I'm going to the land of Disneyland and bananas, like, 53 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: because banana was really expensive back in back in the 54 00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 1: days in Korea and all I wanted to do is 55 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:21,119 Speaker 1: it as much bananas? Again? That's so cute. And your 56 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:25,160 Speaker 1: parents were in the beauty business. Um, yes, after we 57 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:27,960 Speaker 1: moved to us, they were in the beauty business. So 58 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:30,760 Speaker 1: we started with a beauty supply store. And is that 59 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:34,359 Speaker 1: how you got interested in beauty? I don't think that's 60 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 1: how I got into and got interested in beauty. I've 61 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 1: always been interested in beauty. I'm a consumer. I'm probably 62 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 1: the ultimate consumer of all things beauty. And uh, my 63 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 1: parents being in the business did propel the interest even further. Um, 64 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 1: But it wasn't because of that business. So that's what 65 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 1: it's more like. Well, I have to say, looking at 66 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 1: you know, I am sitting here in my husband's closet, 67 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:05,040 Speaker 1: I have not put any makeup on, I haven't done anything, 68 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 1: and you look like you're ready for a red carpet 69 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:12,040 Speaker 1: or a photo shoot. Do you do this every day 70 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:16,600 Speaker 1: like I got ready for you? Oh my god? Well 71 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:18,680 Speaker 1: then then maybe hold on, let me, let me. Maybe 72 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 1: I'll have to call you back. But I think you 73 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 1: look gorgeous. Yeah, well you look you look gorgeous. But yeah, 74 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:31,600 Speaker 1: So so when did you get the idea for and 75 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:33,840 Speaker 1: how do you even say it? And how do you say? 76 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 1: I always say n y X yeah, which most people do, 77 00:04:38,839 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 1: and I don't mind. Um, it's Nicks, it's nicks. Yep. 78 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:46,840 Speaker 1: NIX has got us a night for Greek mythology, like 79 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 1: even the word night came from the originating from the 80 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 1: word knicks. So and I remember the first time I 81 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:56,479 Speaker 1: saw it. I walked by I don't know if it 82 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:59,480 Speaker 1: was a pop up something in Union Square or one 83 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 1: of your stores, and I was like, you know, for 84 00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:04,920 Speaker 1: the Queen of no color makeup. I walk in and 85 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 1: I see this like mega explosion of color, and I 86 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: was like, what is this? So tell me about how 87 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:16,240 Speaker 1: you got the idea? Um the store actually is a 88 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:19,840 Speaker 1: post my exit. By the time I sold a company 89 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:25,120 Speaker 1: was we had a concept of an individual like offline 90 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 1: retail stores. It had not been launched yet. But then 91 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 1: the idea behind the entire brand was because I was 92 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 1: really looking for something that I would be proud of 93 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 1: using and my friends would be proud of using. I mean, 94 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 1: I started the company when I was twenty six. I 95 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 1: was in my twenties and young, and I had a 96 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:45,839 Speaker 1: lot of money, and I was always searching for a 97 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:50,320 Speaker 1: great quality cosmetics that didn't break my bank. So where 98 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:52,280 Speaker 1: did you Where did you start? You didn't have a 99 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:54,640 Speaker 1: lot of money, you didn't know anyone, you had no experience, 100 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:59,200 Speaker 1: So where did you start? I started? So the reason 101 00:05:59,240 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: I didn't have a lot of money is because of 102 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:04,760 Speaker 1: my culture, in the Asian culture, at least back then, 103 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 1: like you were expected to go work at your family 104 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:10,880 Speaker 1: business and your parents didn't pay you. They give you 105 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:13,080 Speaker 1: room and board and they give your clothes. So I 106 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:15,039 Speaker 1: was twenty five years old and I was only allow 107 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:18,440 Speaker 1: ones I've never like, so I've never officially worked for 108 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:20,720 Speaker 1: I've always worked in a family business, but I've never 109 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 1: officially worked for anybody, so I've never officially made money. 110 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:26,120 Speaker 1: I've never had a salary. I never had to check 111 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:28,200 Speaker 1: it like that kind of money in my life. That's 112 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 1: why I was always poored. Not many twenty five year 113 00:06:31,120 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 1: old have money to start a business, let alone pay 114 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 1: their rent. So you had this idea, and what did 115 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 1: you do with it? My so, my mother was my 116 00:06:39,760 --> 00:06:44,039 Speaker 1: first investor. So say, so, you know, family, family money, 117 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 1: family seed money. And when I talked about my business 118 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:51,080 Speaker 1: idea my mom, she glad run me a check and 119 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:55,039 Speaker 1: it was like back pay for like the twelve, fifteen, twelve, 120 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 1: how many years like top plus years of of employment 121 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:02,279 Speaker 1: that I have free employment that I've given her. But 122 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:04,760 Speaker 1: she wrote me a track, and you know, she said 123 00:07:04,839 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 1: something really amazing. Um, she said, all right, like now 124 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: you're on your own, you could do whatever you want 125 00:07:13,320 --> 00:07:17,200 Speaker 1: to do, and don't be afraid of failure. Good mom, 126 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:19,360 Speaker 1: he said, do whatever you wanna do, don't be afraid 127 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 1: of the failure. It's better if you're gonna fail. It's 128 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 1: better to have that experience under your belt when you're 129 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:28,080 Speaker 1: younger rather than we're older. But then how did you 130 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:31,240 Speaker 1: know where to begin? Like what was your first step? 131 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 1: I wanted to make lipliners and eyeliners. If you remember, 132 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: like in the early nineties, um uh, we we all 133 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 1: used to wear like these dark brown lip liners with 134 00:07:43,160 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 1: like frosty color beij or like really like pink lipstick inside. 135 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: That was the look. And um, I like lip liner 136 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 1: was a really hot categories. I knew I wanted to 137 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 1: start with the lip liner, and I knew a manufacturer 138 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 1: that was out of New York, and uh, I reached 139 00:07:57,760 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 1: out and I flew red eye um, because I didn't 140 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:03,559 Speaker 1: want to waste the time. I don't want to waste money. 141 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 1: It was cheaper, and I don't want to waste money 142 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 1: on hotel launching and things like that. I remember arriving 143 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:10,680 Speaker 1: at JFK like five thirty in the morning. I went 144 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 1: to to the restroom to change into like my meeting 145 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 1: clothes and took a cab out to the factory and 146 00:08:17,680 --> 00:08:21,600 Speaker 1: had a meeting and came back the same day. That's home. Wow. 147 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 1: And then how did you market and sell? And what 148 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 1: was your idea? And what year was this exactly? I 149 00:08:28,280 --> 00:08:32,600 Speaker 1: launched in May. Um, so this must be so this 150 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 1: is time. So I was twenty five years old, because 151 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:37,559 Speaker 1: it takes some time for the products to be manufactured 152 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 1: and things like that. It's like marketing and things like that, 153 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:46,080 Speaker 1: like if you take two days marketing concept the method 154 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:50,280 Speaker 1: like what we have today did not exist the back then. 155 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:54,280 Speaker 1: Like marketing back then was your traditional advertisement on vook 156 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:58,320 Speaker 1: or like your TV TV ads that right, which was 157 00:08:58,360 --> 00:09:01,959 Speaker 1: like millions of dollars which most people cannot afford. So 158 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 1: I was like, all right, i can't even play a 159 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 1: part in this game. So I'm just not gonna do it. 160 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:08,840 Speaker 1: But my marketing is word of mouth. And how do 161 00:09:08,880 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 1: you get word of mouth? You sell great product at 162 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:14,960 Speaker 1: a great price. But where did you sell? Trade shows? 163 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:19,960 Speaker 1: Trade shows? Okay, you started trade shows? Yeah, so um, 164 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:22,560 Speaker 1: I hit the I hit the trade shows. And there 165 00:09:22,559 --> 00:09:24,880 Speaker 1: were a lot of trade shows back then. Um, there 166 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:28,000 Speaker 1: were a c M D. There were trade shows at 167 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 1: Javis Convention Center. There were Tigers of Asia in Miami. 168 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:35,199 Speaker 1: Um of course, like they're still ongoing, like Cosmo Profs 169 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 1: in Italy, Cosmo Hong Kong. Like if there was a 170 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:41,800 Speaker 1: trade show, I was on my way. So you got 171 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:43,439 Speaker 1: out there. I mean a lot of people that are 172 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:45,640 Speaker 1: a lot of people that are listening, they're like they 173 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:47,440 Speaker 1: want to do it so badly, like how do you 174 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:49,880 Speaker 1: do it? And you know what, there's no substitute for 175 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:52,600 Speaker 1: just putting on your big girl shoes and going to 176 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:55,200 Speaker 1: do it and keep doing it and do it again 177 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:58,200 Speaker 1: and again. And I think that's probably how you started. 178 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 1: One h said, it's the motion of repetitiveness that turns 179 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 1: into a result at certain point. Um, you know you 180 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 1: can't just go to a trade show one time, two time, 181 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 1: three time. Oh, this is not working. I'm gonna like, 182 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:17,319 Speaker 1: I'm gonna quit. So like exhibiting in trade shows that 183 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 1: cosmoprof is like really expensive. And I'm like, for the 184 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:25,960 Speaker 1: first three years I received like zero orders from like 185 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 1: going into these trade shows. But I just kept going 186 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:32,080 Speaker 1: and get going and get going, and like look at 187 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:35,000 Speaker 1: the buyers who passed by. I'm like, I saw that guy. 188 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 1: Uh last year. I've seen that gal last year. Okay, 189 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:41,079 Speaker 1: you're passing by that booth in this year. Maybe next 190 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 1: year you'll stop by. Maybe the year after you write 191 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: an owner. I'm like, I'm just gonna be here. I'll 192 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:49,760 Speaker 1: be here ready for you when you are. So who 193 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 1: wrote your first order the Alta not from a trade 194 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:56,920 Speaker 1: show like this is later on, but anyone like recognizable 195 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 1: name will be Alta will be my first order. But 196 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:01,760 Speaker 1: you must have so you must have sold to little 197 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:06,760 Speaker 1: teeny places before Alta. Yeah, but if I say yeah, 198 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:10,000 Speaker 1: so no because nice full name, right, but no, but 199 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:13,000 Speaker 1: that's another you know, that's another road to go. You 200 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 1: started selling and beauty supplies. Also that's what you knew 201 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 1: floor yeah yeah, okay and so um and so your 202 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:27,839 Speaker 1: first big break was alter then correct yes? And how 203 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:32,680 Speaker 1: big was your line when you launched Alta? I when 204 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:36,120 Speaker 1: the year I launched Alta, we're about twenty million dollars 205 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 1: in revenue. Wow? So how long was your line out 206 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:46,560 Speaker 1: before you sold it? Like? How many years? Years? Fifteen years? Okay? 207 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:51,439 Speaker 1: My success? And why did you decide that it was 208 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:57,960 Speaker 1: time to sell? You know? I like so lived mixed cosmetics, 209 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:00,680 Speaker 1: like it was like my entire being, Like it was 210 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:03,320 Speaker 1: my DNA, it's just like my everything. I had no life. 211 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:06,960 Speaker 1: I literally had no life. Um, and I don't know 212 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:10,319 Speaker 1: what it was like. One day I was in uh 213 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 1: Poland visiting a distributor. It was April, and I remember 214 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:20,239 Speaker 1: April that year in Poland, and like in Los Angeles 215 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 1: was like like beautiful, glorious and like blue skies, warm weather, 216 00:12:25,840 --> 00:12:29,120 Speaker 1: and then I get to Poland It's freezing, and I 217 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:31,880 Speaker 1: was I was there for like seven days, and I 218 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:34,959 Speaker 1: love my distributors, but like I was like, why am 219 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:38,160 Speaker 1: I here in April? Like I was like, I've been 220 00:12:38,320 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 1: everywhere in the world, but I've never traveled. Like it's 221 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:44,880 Speaker 1: like you land, you go to a hotel and then 222 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:46,320 Speaker 1: you go to a trade show, like you go to 223 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:49,920 Speaker 1: a convention center, and as soon as the convention is over, 224 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:52,400 Speaker 1: you pack and then you come home. Like I'm like, 225 00:12:52,559 --> 00:12:54,880 Speaker 1: I've been to I've been to so many countries, but 226 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:57,440 Speaker 1: I've never traveled in any of these countries. And I 227 00:12:57,480 --> 00:12:59,520 Speaker 1: was like, I want to come to Poland when I 228 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:02,560 Speaker 1: want to come to Poland when it's like maybe in 229 00:13:02,679 --> 00:13:05,520 Speaker 1: July or August or something like when it's nice and 230 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:23,640 Speaker 1: lush and green. So after fifteen years, you sold the company, 231 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:26,959 Speaker 1: and I know you had a noncompete for a bunch 232 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:31,600 Speaker 1: of years, and what did five years? What I had 233 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:33,959 Speaker 1: four years when I left the company, and I had 234 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 1: a twenty five year noncompete when I sold the company, 235 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 1: So like twenty five years because when I when we 236 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:45,120 Speaker 1: sold the company, I was thirty three years old, and 237 00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:47,760 Speaker 1: I thought, I'm not gonna want to work in twenty 238 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:51,240 Speaker 1: five years. Huh. Well guess what Now it's twenty five 239 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:53,360 Speaker 1: years later and I just launched a brand. So that 240 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:56,440 Speaker 1: is not true. Yeah, but it was. It was a 241 00:13:56,559 --> 00:14:00,240 Speaker 1: very hard you know, four or five years for me 242 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:03,920 Speaker 1: because I'm I'm a serial entrepreneur like you are. So 243 00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:06,880 Speaker 1: what did you do when you left and you knew 244 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:11,320 Speaker 1: you had four years? What did you do? Um So? 245 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:15,600 Speaker 1: Five years? No compete in the beauty industry? Um So, 246 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:18,920 Speaker 1: I launched this some glass company. Exactly one year after 247 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 1: I sold. I sold my company, but then I opened 248 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 1: a new office like one week after, like so, I 249 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 1: my deal was consummated on July and August fifth. I 250 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:36,680 Speaker 1: had an office because I was I was now investing 251 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:40,000 Speaker 1: in real estate and I was I had a small 252 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:43,560 Speaker 1: investment company. It is called Butter Ventures. I had staff, 253 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 1: and I already had a company. So I was really 254 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: like not working for five days. But you know how 255 00:14:50,640 --> 00:14:54,320 Speaker 1: it isneur, So, tell me tell me about Butter. It's 256 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 1: your your investment companies called Butter Butter Ventures. Okay, tell 257 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:02,840 Speaker 1: me about that, um So, after I sold my company. 258 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:05,240 Speaker 1: You know, of course you count to zeros in your 259 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:08,920 Speaker 1: bank account and like, WHOA, what do I do with this? Right? Um? 260 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 1: So you can't have the money, said it, like you 261 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:13,080 Speaker 1: gotta always have your money work for you, Like you're 262 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 1: not working for the money, but you have the money 263 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 1: work for you. But when you have a pile of cash, 264 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 1: what you do is you invest and you don't go 265 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 1: in like spend all of it. Um. So I immediately 266 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 1: started buying real estate. And because real estate, real estate, 267 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:31,440 Speaker 1: real estate, location, location, location, like it's drilled into my 268 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:34,080 Speaker 1: head like that's the best investment that you could make. 269 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 1: So I started to do that, and then I launched 270 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:40,800 Speaker 1: Putaventures because I really wanted to get back. I felt 271 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 1: very blasted. I still feel blast. I feel very blast 272 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 1: that all the opportunities and everything that, you know, just 273 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:49,320 Speaker 1: like these amazing things that that's happened to me for 274 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:52,920 Speaker 1: my life. So I wanted to help other female entrepreneurs 275 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:55,960 Speaker 1: start there, get off the ground, because it's really you know, 276 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:59,640 Speaker 1: it's known fact that it's female entrepreneurs have had a 277 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 1: harder time raising capital. So um, I was investing in 278 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 1: uh in companies. UM, but I'm not very active investing 279 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:13,520 Speaker 1: anymore because I, first of all, I've kept out on 280 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:16,520 Speaker 1: the fund that was that I allocated for that fund. 281 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:19,760 Speaker 1: And I've just gotten so busy with my current business 282 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:23,200 Speaker 1: that i don't have time to look at other deals. So, 283 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 1: so talk about bespoke beauty. What is what? Tell me 284 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 1: about what you're working on now? Okay, so bespoke beauty. 285 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:35,080 Speaker 1: My noncompute expired last year July thirty. Um So, I 286 00:16:35,160 --> 00:16:39,560 Speaker 1: launched the I launched a new company in August one, 287 00:16:39,760 --> 00:16:45,800 Speaker 1: two days. I launched my company the day after my noncomputer. Also, okay, 288 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 1: let me see a matter, Yeah yeah, um So dispook 289 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 1: beauty bread is basically like we create bespoke brands UM 290 00:16:56,560 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 1: for the influencer or UM any influential UM business partners 291 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:06,880 Speaker 1: that we partner with and bes both meaning that it's 292 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:10,480 Speaker 1: very custom tailor to their personality, their character, so it's 293 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:13,879 Speaker 1: very authentic, it speaks their language and um So, the 294 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:16,960 Speaker 1: first brand that we launched was with a drag queen. 295 00:17:17,080 --> 00:17:22,040 Speaker 1: Her name is Ku Chichi. She's a Korean American drag queen. Actually, 296 00:17:22,320 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 1: um she was on RuPauls Drag Race. Uh. I think 297 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 1: she was the runner up and just this beautiful soul 298 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:34,440 Speaker 1: and but like she's like this like drag queen, the 299 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:41,000 Speaker 1: super cute personality, like adorable and cute. Um. So the 300 00:17:41,119 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 1: brand is like really cute, like really adorable, very colorful. 301 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:48,200 Speaker 1: UM like that. So that's the that's the first brand 302 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:52,400 Speaker 1: that we launched. And immediately after it was Jason Wu. 303 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:56,840 Speaker 1: He's a fashion designer. He's a worldwide and recognized and 304 00:17:57,680 --> 00:18:01,920 Speaker 1: famous fashion designer, very famous for UM. You know, Jason's 305 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:06,320 Speaker 1: who is the fashion designer for UM Michelle Obama's inauguration 306 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 1: dress ball down both times. And highly respected and he 307 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:16,480 Speaker 1: had done to Batchel collab with Target before. We had 308 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:19,560 Speaker 1: mutual friends. Actually, so when I met Jason, it wasn't 309 00:18:19,560 --> 00:18:21,800 Speaker 1: a business meeting at all. We just went out to dinner, 310 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:24,000 Speaker 1: but then like something clicked. I'm like wait a minute, 311 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:27,360 Speaker 1: wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, Like, um, 312 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:31,320 Speaker 1: we need to do something together. So just casual dinner 313 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:36,960 Speaker 1: turned into a business conversation later and we really um 314 00:18:37,040 --> 00:18:41,840 Speaker 1: he's so, he's so funny, he's such a good human 315 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:46,040 Speaker 1: being and he sends a beauty and fashion and every 316 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:50,680 Speaker 1: is amazing. So we we are partnered and we're launching 317 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:55,760 Speaker 1: a Target on January. It is going to be a 318 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:59,760 Speaker 1: giant success. I am a huge fan of his UM. 319 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:02,600 Speaker 1: I I've seen some of the things, and I think 320 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: it's going to be a huge success. And I think, 321 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:07,800 Speaker 1: I really do think it's his time. And I think 322 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: the partnership with the two of you guys, oh my god, 323 00:19:10,359 --> 00:19:12,160 Speaker 1: I didn't know that. I just thought he was doing 324 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:15,120 Speaker 1: it himself. I cannot wait to see that. So right 325 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:18,440 Speaker 1: now you've got two brands, and then UM we also 326 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 1: signed agreement, so we're launching on band skiing Caroline UM 327 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:27,119 Speaker 1: probably Summer one. And then we have another UM eyelash 328 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:33,880 Speaker 1: line coming with a very famous instagramm er talker can 329 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:37,840 Speaker 1: reveal the name. Yet, we're going to be dropping a 330 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:44,240 Speaker 1: lash line towards the end of So very busy. And 331 00:19:44,359 --> 00:19:49,119 Speaker 1: do you think that the social is still what's driving 332 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:52,679 Speaker 1: the beauty industry? Do you think it's the Instagram or 333 00:19:52,680 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 1: do you think things are changing? Things are definitely changing. 334 00:19:56,560 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 1: It is still a great push. It is still an 335 00:20:00,320 --> 00:20:05,080 Speaker 1: integral part of UM, the entire marketing campaign and everything. 336 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:09,040 Speaker 1: But is it as effective as it was five years ago? 337 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:13,800 Speaker 1: It's not. But I think a lot of the company's 338 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 1: are most brands are kind of lost at where to 339 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:20,120 Speaker 1: put the ad dollars. I've word to put the marketing 340 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:23,680 Speaker 1: dollars because it seems like everything is kind of pizzling out, 341 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:26,919 Speaker 1: Like you know, TV, no one watches TV anymore, no 342 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:30,040 Speaker 1: one Reason magazine anymore, no one Data da like, no 343 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:36,160 Speaker 1: one Bison, Instagram. It. You just have to try a lot, 344 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:38,800 Speaker 1: put a little bit of money in different outlets and 345 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:42,439 Speaker 1: see what sticks for you and your brand, because just 346 00:20:42,480 --> 00:20:44,720 Speaker 1: because it doesn't work for one company does not mean 347 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 1: that it's not going to work for your company, and 348 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:51,280 Speaker 1: same vice versa. M so interesting, so interesting, And would 349 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:54,119 Speaker 1: you ever come back into the beauty industry where you 350 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 1: get to do a ligne like in your name or 351 00:20:58,280 --> 00:21:02,399 Speaker 1: totally your vision without another creative Oh my gosh, no, no, 352 00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:08,160 Speaker 1: it's so funny because I consider doing what you're doing 353 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:10,520 Speaker 1: now after when I was trying to figure it out 354 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:13,080 Speaker 1: and trying things, and you know what, I have never 355 00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:17,600 Speaker 1: been happier launching my own brand my way. I guess 356 00:21:17,640 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 1: my the difference between you and I. I mean because 357 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:23,280 Speaker 1: when you have a meeting with Jason or Kim Chay, 358 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:27,840 Speaker 1: there's a few different creative opinion you have. Well, here's 359 00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:32,800 Speaker 1: the thing, So, UM, I when I signed an agreement 360 00:21:32,840 --> 00:21:35,840 Speaker 1: with anybody, when I decided to partner with anybody, I 361 00:21:35,960 --> 00:21:39,359 Speaker 1: make sure that I only work with people that I 362 00:21:39,960 --> 00:21:44,200 Speaker 1: that I like. I mean, there's no really like when 363 00:21:44,560 --> 00:21:48,439 Speaker 1: you know how much work time hours a day we 364 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:52,280 Speaker 1: put into our work, and if we're spending this much 365 00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:57,040 Speaker 1: time with people, UM, then why like, why be with 366 00:21:57,119 --> 00:21:59,159 Speaker 1: somebody that you don't want to be around with? So 367 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:03,560 Speaker 1: I first, why make sure that, um the work environment 368 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:08,439 Speaker 1: is good? And I have decided that my first and 369 00:22:08,640 --> 00:22:14,600 Speaker 1: four most important commitment for me, for this brand, and 370 00:22:14,640 --> 00:22:17,760 Speaker 1: for the companies and for the brands that we launch, 371 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:23,080 Speaker 1: is that, UM, I made their dream come a reality. 372 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:27,159 Speaker 1: It's not my dream, is their dreams. And I'm just 373 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:31,119 Speaker 1: I'm just, I'm just a UM what is it? Facilitator, 374 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:36,399 Speaker 1: fairy godmother? The yeah? But your knowledge? And you know, 375 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:39,440 Speaker 1: they're so lucky and I'm sure they know how lucky 376 00:22:39,480 --> 00:22:43,040 Speaker 1: they're to have someone who has that that attitude plus 377 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:46,560 Speaker 1: your knowledge. So I'm lucky that day I agreed to 378 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:50,880 Speaker 1: partner with And what do you think that US season 379 00:22:50,960 --> 00:22:54,000 Speaker 1: Founders could do to help the younger generation coming up? 380 00:22:54,600 --> 00:22:58,840 Speaker 1: I think the most important. But I'm gonna say this, 381 00:22:59,240 --> 00:23:02,720 Speaker 1: but this is like, this is not something that that 382 00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:06,960 Speaker 1: I can fully practice right now because I'm so tied 383 00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:10,920 Speaker 1: with so many projects. Next, but really volunteering your time, 384 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 1: like sharing your time, because time is the most valuable. Right. 385 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:20,800 Speaker 1: If you spend an hour with an entrepreneur, mentoring somebody 386 00:23:20,920 --> 00:23:24,840 Speaker 1: or just having a conversation that like elevates them to 387 00:23:24,880 --> 00:23:28,080 Speaker 1: the next level, You're one alp or But it is 388 00:23:28,160 --> 00:23:44,800 Speaker 1: so hard, I know it. So since this is a 389 00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:48,160 Speaker 1: beauty podcast, it's called Beyond the Beauty, I'm I ask 390 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:51,199 Speaker 1: everyone the same question. What is beauty too? To you? 391 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:54,159 Speaker 1: Beauty is whatever makes you happy? You know, what's the 392 00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:57,040 Speaker 1: most beautiful thing is a smile on somebody's face. M 393 00:23:57,520 --> 00:23:59,920 Speaker 1: I love I love that answer. Okay, now are really 394 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:03,160 Speaker 1: quick speed round. What's your makeup routine on a casual 395 00:24:03,240 --> 00:24:06,879 Speaker 1: day when you're not Yeah, like, what's your routine on 396 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:10,120 Speaker 1: a day when you're not being photographed? Uh? Okay, So 397 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:12,560 Speaker 1: either I do a full face or no face at all. 398 00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:15,000 Speaker 1: Because I'm a child of the eighties and I have 399 00:24:15,119 --> 00:24:17,720 Speaker 1: overplucked my eyebrow so I don't have any eyebrows. So 400 00:24:17,920 --> 00:24:19,879 Speaker 1: if I'm going into my eyebrows, it needs to be 401 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:23,920 Speaker 1: a whole thing or nothing? Okay? And what's something most 402 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:27,200 Speaker 1: people don't know about you? And that I'm an introvert? 403 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:32,280 Speaker 1: Really I would I would not have guessed that I 404 00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:37,480 Speaker 1: know living on extrovert night. What is your guilty pleasure? 405 00:24:38,680 --> 00:24:43,040 Speaker 1: My guilty pleasure is um I buy stuff on Facebook, 406 00:24:43,880 --> 00:24:49,159 Speaker 1: not Instagram, Facebook, face Book. If I just got something delivered, 407 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:51,639 Speaker 1: what do you get? What was it? It's like this 408 00:24:51,760 --> 00:24:53,880 Speaker 1: thing that you put on your neck and you stretches 409 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:59,080 Speaker 1: your Now it just goes into another pile of I 410 00:24:59,119 --> 00:25:03,800 Speaker 1: bought it, but I never use it pile from Facebook. 411 00:25:04,359 --> 00:25:06,680 Speaker 1: That's so funny. And do you have a favorite cocktail? 412 00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:17,240 Speaker 1: I do a lot of them. What is the one 413 00:25:17,320 --> 00:25:22,800 Speaker 1: product you cannot live without? My LaMere face cream? So 414 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:25,199 Speaker 1: where do you want to send people that want to 415 00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:27,960 Speaker 1: know more about you? Where can they find you? They 416 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:31,879 Speaker 1: could find me on Instagram Tony co co co to 417 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:35,920 Speaker 1: and I k okay, okay, okay. Oh one last question 418 00:25:35,920 --> 00:25:39,160 Speaker 1: I did forget to ask you. Since you are from Korea, 419 00:25:39,560 --> 00:25:42,560 Speaker 1: talk to me about k beauty and if it's still 420 00:25:42,600 --> 00:25:46,280 Speaker 1: as big as it always was? I think it is. 421 00:25:46,359 --> 00:25:48,160 Speaker 1: I think it is. I think it is actually bigger 422 00:25:48,200 --> 00:25:51,000 Speaker 1: than it was because before when it was like really 423 00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:53,640 Speaker 1: like everybody's talking about it because it's the beginning, right 424 00:25:53,680 --> 00:25:56,760 Speaker 1: because at the birth of anything, um, there's a lot 425 00:25:56,800 --> 00:25:59,719 Speaker 1: of hype around it and then it kind of tapers down. Um, 426 00:25:59,840 --> 00:26:02,760 Speaker 1: but that doesn't mean that it's gone away, and like, um, 427 00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:09,199 Speaker 1: it's spread wider. But women are obsessed with skincare and 428 00:26:09,240 --> 00:26:11,280 Speaker 1: all things beauty and like they look like they're not 429 00:26:11,320 --> 00:26:13,639 Speaker 1: wearing anything on their face. Trust me, they're wearing like 430 00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:16,800 Speaker 1: twenty different items on their face. They put so many 431 00:26:16,840 --> 00:26:20,199 Speaker 1: items on to look like they're not wearing anything. And 432 00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 1: but skincare. Let me tell you my mom maybe where 433 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:28,520 Speaker 1: I cream starting like eighteen years old and my mom, 434 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:32,119 Speaker 1: like my first image of my mom from my childhood 435 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:37,320 Speaker 1: is her with cucumber slices on their face. And it's 436 00:26:37,359 --> 00:26:40,080 Speaker 1: like the best, like the easiest, chipest, cheapest, like the 437 00:26:40,160 --> 00:26:42,320 Speaker 1: quickest like beauty of routine that you could do is 438 00:26:42,359 --> 00:26:45,919 Speaker 1: like you either like great grind great uh this is 439 00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:49,199 Speaker 1: my yes English second eguige moment, or like you like 440 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:53,159 Speaker 1: thinly sliced cucumbers, um, uh, fresh cucumbers and you just 441 00:26:53,560 --> 00:26:56,400 Speaker 1: put pieces on your face and it's amazing for your skin. 442 00:26:57,000 --> 00:27:00,200 Speaker 1: Um or like her like massaging her skin all the time. 443 00:27:00,440 --> 00:27:02,480 Speaker 1: She my mom is seventy six years old. You should 444 00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:05,359 Speaker 1: see this woman like she looks like at least like 445 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:08,720 Speaker 1: fifteen years younger than she does. And uh um, she 446 00:27:08,960 --> 00:27:11,800 Speaker 1: would not step out of the house without being fully done, 447 00:27:11,880 --> 00:27:16,000 Speaker 1: like her hair, makeup, like everything. Well, you got good 448 00:27:16,080 --> 00:27:18,439 Speaker 1: jeans and tell your tell your mom. She did a 449 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:23,320 Speaker 1: really great job with you. Thank you, thank you. All right, Well, 450 00:27:23,359 --> 00:27:26,920 Speaker 1: be safe and I look forward to connecting next time 451 00:27:27,400 --> 00:27:35,680 Speaker 1: for sure. Bye bye. For more podcasts from I Heart Radio, 452 00:27:36,040 --> 00:27:39,399 Speaker 1: visit the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever 453 00:27:39,440 --> 00:27:41,159 Speaker 1: you listen to your favorite shows.