Show Notes:

In this episode of the Beyond Beauty Podcast, host and guest Olivia Cefalu delve into Olivia's journey and expertise in the beauty industry. Olivia, a digital marketing professional and freelance beauty editor, shares her early passion for beauty and how she strategically built her career through internships and roles at various companies. She discusses the importance of niche expertise, the impact of technology and AI on the industry, and the value of networking and collaboration. Olivia also highlights her love for poetry and her aspiration to write creatively, emphasizing the significance of personal creative outlets separate from professional life. The episode touches on the dynamic nature of the beauty industry and the need to stay relevant amidst rapid changes.

About Olivia:
Olivia is a digital marketing professional in the beauty industry as well as a freelance beauty editor based in Brooklyn, New York. Olivia got her start in beauty writing while she was still in college. She has always had a passion for beauty writing, the business of beauty, and print media (specifically magazines). During college, she interned at an international marketing agency working on accounts like lululemon, Harry Winston, Bally, Hot Wheels, and more.
With this experience she scored beauty internships at Tata Harper Skincare and Very Good Light; eventually landing her a full time job upon graduation. Now, she works at professional skincare brand Image Skincare where she manages paid advertising strategy and execution. She throws her creativity into freelance work outside of her full time role as an editor at publications like Well + Good, Byrdie, InStyle, Mane Addicts and more. She covers stories about new beauty launches, wellness trends and will always have a recommendation for whatever your skincare or makeup collection needs. Her friends would describe her brain as a 'beauty brand encyclopedia', always referencing marketing campaigns and A+ product launches.

Timestamps:
The beginning of Olivia's career (00:01:05 )
Olivia's passion for beauty, internships, and entry into the beauty industry.
Olivia's early interest in beauty (00:02:29 )
Olivia's childhood inspiration and college experiences shaping her career choice.
Olivia's career progression (00:04:01 )
Olivia's internships, skill development, and transitioning into full-time roles.
Navigating early career challenges (00:05:16 )
Olivia's accelerated career, age perception, and professional experiences during the pandemic.
Balancing work and personal life (00:14:30 )
Discussion on burnout, personal dreams, and maintaining work-life balance.
Reflections on burnout and personal growth (00:18:19 )
Olivia's experience with burnout, self-awareness, and finding happiness in her career.
Longevity in Career (00:19:32 )
Discussion on how to maintain a long-lasting career in a dynamic world, influenced by technology and industry trends.
Navigating DTC and Marketing Conferences (00:21:19 )
Insight into the ever-changing direct-to-consumer industry and the value of attending marketing conferences for networking and learning.
Impact of AI and Accessible Resources (00:25:24 )
The accessibility of resources for freelancers and marketers, as well as the impact of AI tools in the industry.
Challenges and Opportunities in Entrepreneurship (00:28:38 )
Exploration of the potential of AI tools in advertising and the discussion on the future of entrepreneurship and the beauty industry.
Personalizing Beauty and Creative Outlets (00:31:47 )
The personal nature of beauty products and the exploration of creative outlets, such as poetry writing, as a personal endeavor.
Waiting in the Stands (00:33:39 )
Reflection on personal creative pursuits and the importance of having hobbies and interests unrelated to one's career.
Closing Remarks and Contact Information (00:36:41 )
Final thoughts, gratitude, and contact information for the guest speaker.