In Conversation with Richard Vera

Tell us about your background: 

I'm a senior executive leader in beauty and my core expertise is in building and growing prestige beauty brands in global markets. I've accumulated 20 years of experience, 17 of which were at global multinationals L'Oréal and Estēe Lauder, where in my last role, I was the Vice-President of International for Lab Series. After that, I've successfully pivoted into beauty start-ups, first with Scentbird and currently supporting Kayo Body Care as Senior Vice-President of Global Sales, in charge of leading the strategic planning and execution of global expansion plans across all geographies and channels of distribution, while creating and developing the commercial function internally.

My unique value proposition is my 17 years of experience in global beauty companies that is now complimented with 3 years of successfully growing and scaling digitally native beauty start-up brands and companies. I've been able to leverage learnings from global companies and adapt them to build structures, teams, go-to-market strategies and P&L models to grow my businesses. More importantly though, I've discovered a neck and a passion for start-up and entrepreneurial environments.

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?

In the end, it's all about building relationships. With your manager, your peers, your team and ultimately, with your consumer.

Best career advice you've ever received?

Be the bigger person. You don't need to always be right. If it doesn't serve you, let it go.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

To have the VISION to seize the opportunity. The FOCUS to drive that vision into action. The CHARACTER to stay on course, even in the face of adversity. And the GENEROSITY and SERVANTHOOD to reward the merits and lift the fallen.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far? 

In an industry that evolves and morphs so often and quickly, my biggest challenge is to stay informed and on trend, with the intention to always have an edge over competition.

And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?

Watches. Even at home, I always have a watch on me.

LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verarichard/