E151: Dermalogica Founder: Building A Billion Dollar Business While Looking After Your Mental Health

Jane's childhood experiences, particularly the loss of her father and her mother's resilience, had a profound impact on shaping her values and beliefs. Jane's mother's determination to provide for her family and emphasize the importance of financial independence instilled in Jane the drive to support herself and not rely on others for her success. Additionally, growing up in a household of strong, capable women and being surrounded by female role models influenced Jane's understanding of power dynamics and gender roles. These early experiences fueled Jane's passion for advocating for women's empowerment and equality. Overall, Jane's childhood formed the foundation for her values, career choices, and commitment to societal change.

Jane Wurwand's journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur and founder of a renowned skincare brand was shaped by her desire for independence and self-determination. Growing up with the fear of losing her mother and being placed in foster care, Jane wanted to quickly acquire skills that would allow her to support herself and have control over her life. Choosing not to pursue a traditional university education, she sought practical training in the beauty industry, which she saw as a means to earn a living and travel. Her mother's advice to learn how to do something resonated with her and instilled in her a mindset of self-sufficiency. This mindset ultimately led her to discover her passion for skincare and build a successful career.

Jane's decision to immigrate to South Africa was driven by an opportunity to find employment. Despite the challenges of moving to a new country without modern communication technology, Jane was determined to support herself and build a better life. Although her marriage ended in divorce and she faced moments of vulnerability, she made a promise to herself never to allow such circumstances to happen again. This experience in her early twenties shaped her resilience and determination to overcome obstacles. Jane's journey serves as a powerful reminder that difficult times can be transformative, pushing us to grow stronger and more independent.

Jane Wurwand's journey from Johannesburg to Los Angeles was driven by love and opportunity. She started her career in skincare sales in South Africa, where she met Raymond Wirwind, who became her mentor and later her partner. Their relationship blossomed despite the challenges of being colleagues. When Raymond's green card came through, he had to leave for the United States, creating a dilemma for their relationship. Despite the distance, Jane knew that they were meant to be together and made a bold decision to join him in Los Angeles. She faced immigration challenges and a recent divorce, but her love for Raymond and determination led her to find a way. This story highlights the powerful force of love and the willingness to take risks for a brighter future.

Jane Wurwand faced challenges in immigrating to the United States and building a career in skincare. She explored various options to obtain a work permit but didn't fit any of the existing criteria. So, she and her husband Raymond started a company, the International Dermal Institute, as a way to secure her job transfer and establish their own industry in skincare. They aimed to bridge the gap between the short training programs in California and the longer training in Europe to upskill professional skin therapists. Despite skeptics, they recognized the untapped potential in the American market and seized the opportunity to train and grow their own industry.

Community building played a crucial role in the success of Jane Wurwand's training program. Jane and her husband recognized that skin therapists were isolated in their work and lacked a sense of connection with others in the industry. To address this, they intentionally fostered a community by organizing various events and activities for their students to interact and bond with one another. These efforts created a supportive and collaborative environment that went beyond just training in skincare. It allowed the students to feel like they were part of a family, despite their diverse backgrounds. This sense of community was a significant factor in the training program's success and set it apart from others in the industry.

Human connection is crucial for success and should not be undervalued. Jane Wurwand emphasizes the importance of belonging to a tribe, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlights that the beauty industry, which focuses on facilitating human connection through touch and empathy, is especially relevant in fostering unconditional love. Steven Bartlett acknowledges that building engaged customer bases, company cultures, and audiences all require understanding and catering to our innate need for connection. Jane Wurwand also emphasizes the significance of humility and staying connected to others regardless of success or position. Additionally, she acknowledges her own weaknesses, such as impatience, but demonstrates her commitment to excellence by addressing even the smallest details, like a piece of hair on the floor.

Attention to detail is crucial for long-term success in business. Jane Wurwand emphasizes the importance of not overlooking small things, as they can make a significant impact on the overall success of a company. She believes that executing ideas well and maintaining that level of execution is what sets successful businesses apart. Jane also highlights the need for a truth teller, someone who can provide honest feedback and keep you in check. She acknowledges that weaknesses can be flipped into strengths, and impatience, when channeled correctly, can lead to a fast pace, quick execution, and a sense of urgency and leadership. Overall, paying attention to detail and embracing both strengths and weaknesses are key factors in achieving long-term success in business.

Having truth tellers around you is essential for personal and professional growth. Jane Wurwand emphasizes the importance of having people like Raymond and Natalie, who are not afraid to give honest feedback and hold her accountable. It is crucial to have individuals who can point out when we are out of line or being rude, as their input helps us become more self-aware and make necessary improvements. Additionally, Jane highlights the significance of decisiveness and taking action, even when we have only 70% of the information. Making decisions promptly is a crucial aspect of leadership and success. Lastly, Jane's aim to "piss off the 80% and please the 20%" showcases the need to stand firm in our beliefs and not be afraid of criticism when pursuing our goals.

Building a brand requires being true to yourself, even if it means not appealing to everyone. Jane Wurwand emphasizes the importance of having a voice, personality, and triggering emotional responses when creating a brand. She believes that being mediocre and trying to please everyone will not make a lasting impact. Instead, she encourages being decisive, truthful, and slightly disruptive. Jane faced resistance when launching her company, Dermalogica, because it challenged the norms of the cosmetic industry. However, she stayed true to her vision of creating skincare products that were both cosmetically elegant and effective. Despite pushback, she found a loyal audience who shared her passion for creating a profession and industry that they could be proud of.

Having a strong perspective and standing for something is crucial in marketing and branding. Indifference and trying to please everyone can lead to failure. Jane Wurwand's business, Dermalogica, achieved success due to their unwavering commitment to their vision. Despite the immense amount of hard work she put in, with long hours and constant travel, she has no regrets about the sacrifices made. However, she acknowledges that the greatest cost of her dedication was the loss of friendships. Many friends were unable to understand her demanding schedule and drifted away. Yet, those who remained understood and continue to support her. This conversation highlights the importance of having a clear perspective, resilience, and understanding the sacrifices required for success.

While date nights may work for some couples, they are not necessary for every relationship. Jane and Raymond have chosen not to partake in formal date nights because they prioritize open communication and spending quality time together regularly. They believe that maintaining a strong relationship involves discussing their feelings, concerns, and important matters on a daily basis. They also emphasize the importance of resolving conflicts and not letting resentment build up. Additionally, Jane shares her personal experience with therapy, indicating that seeking professional help can be beneficial during challenging times. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that each couple should find what works best for them in terms of nurturing their relationship and adapting to their unique circumstances.

Addressing the root causes of mental health issues is crucial for personal growth and healing. Jane Wurwand's experience with sleep troubles revealed that her insomnia was not the problem itself, but rather a manifestation of her deep-seated anxiety. By seeking help and engaging in therapy, she was able to unearth and process the underlying traumas that had been weighing her down. This process involved self-reflection, cognitive testing, and the guidance of a psychiatrist who provided tools and strategies for understanding and managing her emotions. Through this journey, Wurwand discovered the importance of asking the right questions, recognizing patterns in her behavior, reframing past experiences, and embracing vulnerability. Ultimately, therapy allowed her to find her true self and move forward with a newfound sense of pride and gratitude.

Seeking therapy can have a profound positive impact on one's life, despite the lingering stigma surrounding it. Jane Wurwand emphasizes the importance of finding a way to examine oneself, as a life unexamined is a life not lived. Steven Bartlett admits to feeling stigmatized by the idea of therapy, despite hearing from numerous guests about its positive effects. However, Jane points out that there comes a point in life when one may be more ready and open to seeking help. She shares her own experience of reaching a breaking point with insomnia, which led her to finally ask for help. Additionally, Jane discusses how personal patterns and fears can affect relationships and the need for balance between work and personal life. The key takeaway is that therapy can provide valuable insights and help individuals address underlying issues that may be impacting their lives.

It is crucial to prioritize our true priorities over the allure of business success. Jane Wurwand shares her experience of getting caught up in the urgency of business matters, neglecting her daughter's need for attention. She realized the importance of being present for her loved ones and acknowledging when a moment requires our focus. Wurwand advises considering whether an issue is genuinely an emergency or simply an adrenaline rush driven by our ego. She emphasizes the need to take a step back, evaluate the situation's urgency, and prioritize the people we care about. Sometimes, even taking a minute for ourselves is necessary. This reminder helps us maintain a balanced perspective and allocate our time wisely.

Entrepreneurs are not fearless, but they are willing to confront their fears and take action despite them. Encouraging bravery means acknowledging the presence of fear and still being able to function effectively. Being decisive and making decisions is also crucial for entrepreneurs. Not everyone possesses these qualities, but that doesn't mean they can't be successful as well. Some individuals can think entrepreneurially within someone else's company, which is like playing with less risk. However, the true rush and challenge lie in using your own resources and taking bigger risks. There are different types of entrepreneurs, including serial entrepreneurs who start and sell businesses repeatedly, and long-term players who focus on building one or two companies. The key is finding your purpose and the fastest path to achieving it. In the case of Jane Wurwand, selling Dermalogica was a well-thought-out decision made with confidence. She and her business partner recognized their limits and knew it was time to pass the baton to others who could take the company further. They chose acquisition as the best route, guided by shared values with Unilever, and the company has continued to prosper under this partnership.

Jane Wurwand feels gratified and proud of her achievements, including the acquisition of Unilever. However, she also recognizes the importance of instilling a strong value system in her children, ensuring they don't become entitled or lose their hunger for success. Jane acknowledges that wealth can be a burden if not used responsibly, and she has taken steps to ensure her children understand the responsibility that comes with it. She emphasizes the significance of using their privileges to benefit others and cultivate a sense of gratitude. By doing so, Jane hopes to prevent the wealth from becoming a source of unhappiness. Ultimately, Jane's self-love journey has taught her the importance of being kind to herself and always striving to improve.