In Conversation with Stacey Levine

Tell us about your background:

I fell into a career in beauty through a college internship at an NYC-based PR agency, where I focused on beauty media relations. I was hired there full-time after graduating, and spent nearly the first 5 years of my career there, working on brands like CoverGirl, Herbal Essences, Head & Shoulders, and Gillette Venus. Some of my favorite memories from those days were press trips - I loved bringing brands' stories to life in places like London, St. Lucia, and Berlin!

From there, I transitioned in-house, first at Artis (an indie beauty tools and skincare brand), and later at Eva NYC. In both roles I led brand marketing + brand communications - everything from PR and influencer, to content, social, copywriting and more. I think of brand marketing as the nucleus of a brand, engaging and interacting with every other function, from operations, to product development, to creative, and everything in between!

I'm now coming up on my 1-year anniversary of leaving my full-time role to start my own consulting business. As an independent consultant, I help beauty brands build brand love through their marketing + communications initiatives and strategies.

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

When I started out in beauty, I wish I'd known just how many career paths and specialities existed, even just under the umbrella of marketing + communications! My best advice to college students is intern, intern, intern! I did 7+ internships in college, all in different areas of PR, and it helped me figure out what I liked, and importantly, what I didn't like.

Best career advice you've ever received?

Never burn a bridge. Leave every person you meet better for having met you.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

Accountability: Follow-through on your commitments, don't make a habit of canceling meetings, take accountability over your projects and responsibilities.

Be A Mentor: Build up those around you, especially your direct reports and team members. Make them look good, and give them credit for their accomplishments. Help them grow.

Don't Stop Learning: The most difficult leaders to work with are ones who stopped learning when they reached a senior position. In our industry, things are constantly changing, and you do better work when you stay up to date.

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

Leaving my full-time, stable role as a Brand Marketing Director to become a freelance consultant. It's also been the most rewarding.

And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?

A black midi dress. Goes with everything, can dress it up or down, and bonus points if it has pockets. :)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyalevine/

Website: www.staceyalevine.co

Instagram: @staceyalevine