Stephanie G-M of ‘Ouli’s Ointment’ On The Self-Care Routines & Practices Of Busy Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders

All of us know that we have to take breaks in our day to take care of ourselves. “Selfcare is healthcare”, the saying goes. At the same time, we know that when you are a busy leader with enormous responsibility on your shoulders, it’s so easy to prioritize the urgent demands of work over the important requirements of self-care. How do busy entrepreneurs and leaders create space to properly take care of themselves? What are the self-care routines of successful entrepreneurs and business leaders? In this interview series, we are talking to busy and successful entrepreneurs, business leaders, and civic leaders who can discuss their self-care practices and self-care routines. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Stephanie G-M

Stephanie G-M is an International, Celeb Makeup Artist turned Mompreneur. Her brand Ouli’s Ointment creates multi-use products for skin and home. Ouli’s Ointment aims to help people embrace their beauty while solving the need for more with less products and waste.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! What is your “why” behind what you do? What fuels you?

My children, I want my businesses to become a legacy brand that they are proud of.

How do you define success? Can you please explain what you mean from a personal anecdote?

I used to think success meant money and my name in big magazines as a makeup artist, but I’ve grown to understand a deeper meaning to success since becoming a mother and entreprenuer because it doesn’t matter how much money we have we will still come up against the same internal struggles, at home or in business if we don’t address the root of it within us. So Success to me means, how I feel within myself, if I wake up everyday feeling proud of who I am and how I show up for those around me. Knowing that I’m making a positive impact throughtout my day on those I interact with and my customers while being able to live true to myself.

What is the role of a growth mindset in your success? Can you please share 3 mindset mantras that keep you motivated, sane, and propel you forward?

Mindset Mantras– I trust I can create success with ease, I am enough, help me set aside everything I think I know.

My whole career has required me to see failures as stepping stones to what I can do differently and do better. That applies to my success with my business and family too, each challenge or setback leads me to ask what I can do differently next time and keeps me focused on my values which align both at home and in my business.

You are by all accounts a very successful person. How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world? I have always been involved with non-profits be it cancer focused, women in need or environmental. I’ve taught workshops that help expand skill sets or makeup tips and tricks that help them feel empowered and embracing their beauty everyday or for interviews. The reason I started doing these things is because my makeup career felt empty without the purpose and just the surface, I was looking for a way to give back to the world this became my outlet and continues to be through Ouli’s. We always donate to non-profits and do workshops or events that give back to these communities.

Can you share a mistake or failure which you now appreciate, and which has taught you a valuable lesson?

I saw the move to Los Angeles as a big failure, the reason being I thought moving to LA would be a side step for my makeup career and although I joined a very reputatable agency here in LA, I never found the excitement and fulfillment from jobs as I did in London. That felt like a failure. The valuable lesson learned is I would never have become the Mother I am now had we stayed in London and I believe it would have taken me longer to see the power in what I had created with Ouli’s Oinment and how I have affected peoples lives through my simple and adaptable products. I could never have guessed I’d be living the life I am living now and I’m grateful for that.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Energetic — This manifested in a very extrovert and talkative personality for me! As a child growing up I was usually getting in trouble for this! And here, it is listed as something that led to success for me. As a makeup artist it was a huge part of why I was hired for jobs and now it’s a big reason my brand has the energy behind it that it does. My energy wasn’t always embraced, I was considered too loud or referred to as laughs too much! This is what I want people to see their beauty comes from, these things have grown my career.

Ambitious — This has been crutial without me even knowing it. I started Ouli’s Ointment out of a need I saw in my industry as a makeup artist for a clean, non-greasy everything balm. I jumped in head first, fearless and then learned along the way, while mothering my children. Had I known then what I know now about having a product based business I probably wouldn’t have done it! Haha!

Creative — I come to product formulating from a creative perspective without a limited mindset which means I can create products differently and that is very welcome trait, in a saturated beauty industry.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting new projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?

Is being a part of the Conscious Beauty Collective, which is a collective of beauty brands working together to grow and bring Conscious, Independent Brands to consumers. The other is something we’ve discussed above a little and I’m super excited to share! I’m working on a digital course that will help Moms become Mompreneurs: A fulfilling journey in less time with more confidence. Stay tuned for more on that! I’m also working on a new business model for small business beauty brands to get support and have a space to manufacture filling the gap between making their products in their kitchen and going to a contract manufacturer! Lots of exciting stuff so watch this space!

OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the core focus of our interview about Self-Care. Let’s start with a basic definition so that we are all on the same page. What does self-care mean to you?

As a successful leader with an intense schedule, what do you do to prioritize self-care, and carve out regular time to make self-care part of your routine? I have an intense schedule between my families needs and our busiest quarter for the business with a lot of in-person events. Everything happens very last minute and sporadically but I ask myself where can I give myself 10 minutes today? Also, I tend to sit down and work when I get a free minute so the other question is… Does this need to happen right now? Usually the answer is no and I can use that time for a break.

This is the main question of our interview. Based on your own experiences or research can you please share 5 ways that taking time for self-care will improve our lives?

Nourishment through food, water and fresh air — They seem basic and “self-care, really?” but yes! How many of us just get on without meeting our needs throughout the day and then stopping when we realize we are beyond hungry or thirsty which means we’re dehydrated already? Without these things everything else will fall out of balance. I start my day with a big glass of water before eating or having a coffee and I have to eat often so I try to make sure there are different foods ready that I can take with me for the day or at least get ready quickly so I’m able to eat throughout the day. Otherwise it’s a frantic rush and then I don’t get what I need. Get outside everyday take in fresh air and walk my dog and take the kids for a scooter ride, we’re lucky to live somewhere the weather is always nice!

Facial Massage — Whether it’s in the morning or evening doesn’t matter, I like to massage my face with a mushroom shaped rose quartz stone. It’s a great easy way to relax and take a moment for myself. I like to massage my jaw and down the side of my neck because that’s where I hold most of my tension and stress.

Meditation — I aim to meditate even if it’s for 5 minutes a day some days its 20. It helps me get in touch with my intuition, it relaxes me and really drops me into whats most important. It isn’t always easy to stay consistent with this so on the days I don’t make it happen or it feels challenging to slow my brain down I’ll focus on my breath, the one I find most effective at stopping all the noise is deep, slow breath in hold for 6 breathe out for 10 and repeat until you feel calm.

Sometimes we learn a great deal from the opposite, from a contrast. Can you please share a few ways that NOT taking time for self-care can harm our lives?

I have a lot of experience with this! Haha!! I feel like it’s harder to hold awareness around myself when I don’t make use of these little tools. I get more flustered when challenges arise in my day, I lose sight of what I need to do and what my priorities are for th day. It’s just generally harder to navigate my day I find. Everything feels bigger than it needs to or is, it leaves space for drama!

What would you tell someone who says they do not have time or finances to support a regular wellness routine?

The 3 things I’ve listed come from a Mom of 2 and Dog Mom, Wife, Business owner, so you could say my life is dynamic at best! And they are all free!! Start small, just like anything new, explore ways that work for you there are plenty of ways. Maybe it’s something you already enjoy doing and could do more of it, it’s about finding a way support yourself with awareness! You got this!! Find someone you can make commitments with!

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we both tag them :-)

I would have to say Bobbi Brown, her book was one of the first I ever had when I wanted to become a makeup artist 20 years ago! That’s not the only reason, I find her path inspiring and very relatable for me, her makeup career, her book focused on internal wellness and the entrepreneurial path she’s followed along with her less is more makeup style.

What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?

Yes! Stay in touch on insta @oulisointment and @thestephaniegm and sign up for our emails for more on wellbeing and beauty! www.oulis-ointment.com www.stephanieg-m.com for the upcoming course release!

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.

About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher, and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness, and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at [email protected]. To schedule a free consultation, click here.

Source : https://medium.com/authority-magazine/stephanie-g-m-of-oulis-ointment-on-the-self-care-routines-practices-of-busy-entrepreneurs-and-14b73e90777e