Jamie Kern Lima

Okay, I have goosebumps right now because this is, okay, after every rejection, even the most painful ones, even the guy that said, like, no one's going to buy makeup for someone who looks like you with your body and your weight. Even Alan Burke, the head of QVC, who said you're not the right fit for us or our customers.

Okay, I have goosebumps right now because this is, okay, after every rejection, even the most painful ones, even the guy that said, like, no one's going to buy makeup for someone who looks like you with your body and your weight. Even Alan Burke, the head of QVC, who said you're not the right fit for us or our customers.

Even the woman at Sephora, right, who said no one's talking about your product. After every single one, Megan, I would write them a letter. And a thank you note as if I'm 100% certain we're going to be in their stores and it will be a yes every time. And then over and over, let's say six months later, we get an article written about our product somewhere.

Even the woman at Sephora, right, who said no one's talking about your product. After every single one, Megan, I would write them a letter. And a thank you note as if I'm 100% certain we're going to be in their stores and it will be a yes every time. And then over and over, let's say six months later, we get an article written about our product somewhere.

I would then go email every single one of those people who said no and be like, great news. This product just got featured here. And when we get in your stores one day, I can't wait for this because this is going to change all your customers' lives. I'm so excited to partner. As if for sure it's going to happen. Yeah. And I kept doing that over and over for years.

I would then go email every single one of those people who said no and be like, great news. This product just got featured here. And when we get in your stores one day, I can't wait for this because this is going to change all your customers' lives. I'm so excited to partner. As if for sure it's going to happen. Yeah. And I kept doing that over and over for years.

They might have thought, who knows what they thought about me. But guess what? Oh, my gosh. Every no turned into a yes.

They might have thought, who knows what they thought about me. But guess what? Oh, my gosh. Every no turned into a yes.

This is the wildest story. And honestly, the biggest business lessons and life lessons I've ever learned. Because here's the deal. We're over three years in, okay? And imagine everyone, if you've gone through this before, maybe you're just going through it with me right now. But we're three years into like building this dream. And on the verge of bankruptcy, everyone is saying no.

This is the wildest story. And honestly, the biggest business lessons and life lessons I've ever learned. Because here's the deal. We're over three years in, okay? And imagine everyone, if you've gone through this before, maybe you're just going through it with me right now. But we're three years into like building this dream. And on the verge of bankruptcy, everyone is saying no.

And I was at this huge beauty expo in New York City. called CEW, where there's 6,000 women walking the Javits Center. You get a three-foot table and you're there with all the biggest beauty companies in the world and everyone's demonstrating their product launches.

And I was at this huge beauty expo in New York City. called CEW, where there's 6,000 women walking the Javits Center. You get a three-foot table and you're there with all the biggest beauty companies in the world and everyone's demonstrating their product launches.

And the reason you do this is you're hoping that the 6,000 people walking, that either there's retailers there that'll bring you into their stores or there's a press there that might cover your product or that you get votes and you win one of the coveted CEW awards. So I'm there at a three-foot table at Cosmetics. No one has ever heard of me. And I'm around all the biggest brands in the world.

And the reason you do this is you're hoping that the 6,000 people walking, that either there's retailers there that'll bring you into their stores or there's a press there that might cover your product or that you get votes and you win one of the coveted CEW awards. So I'm there at a three-foot table at Cosmetics. No one has ever heard of me. And I'm around all the biggest brands in the world.

Long story short, I see QVC has this giant booth there. And I was like, oh. Now, Alan Burke had said, the head of QVC Beauty had said, no, you're not the right fit for us or our customers just a few months before. But I was there and I'm like, I've never met anyone in person. at QVC. And so you're not allowed to leave your three-foot table. And I could not afford to get kicked out.

Long story short, I see QVC has this giant booth there. And I was like, oh. Now, Alan Burke had said, the head of QVC Beauty had said, no, you're not the right fit for us or our customers just a few months before. But I was there and I'm like, I've never met anyone in person. at QVC. And so you're not allowed to leave your three-foot table. And I could not afford to get kicked out.

But I was like, I've got to do... I kept praying about it. And I felt in my gut, I've got to do this. And I kept leaving my table. And every time I go over toward their booth, their buyers were mobbed, just crowded with people. So I go back. I eventually go over and I get straight to a buyer and I introduce myself to her and I said, I'm Jamie Kern Lima. I started a company called It Cosmetics.

But I was like, I've got to do... I kept praying about it. And I felt in my gut, I've got to do this. And I kept leaving my table. And every time I go over toward their booth, their buyers were mobbed, just crowded with people. So I go back. I eventually go over and I get straight to a buyer and I introduce myself to her and I said, I'm Jamie Kern Lima. I started a company called It Cosmetics.

She's like, oh yeah, I have your samples. And I was like, oh, really good. And I remember this is so gross, but this is confessions of an entrepreneur, of a founder. I remember talking to her, trying to like pour everything I have into this. And I remember sweat dripping down my legs because I was so nervous.

She's like, oh yeah, I have your samples. And I was like, oh, really good. And I remember this is so gross, but this is confessions of an entrepreneur, of a founder. I remember talking to her, trying to like pour everything I have into this. And I remember sweat dripping down my legs because I was so nervous.