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Struggling with acne, hormones, or gut issues that no one seems to explain in plain English? Keep It Clear is the podcast that cuts through the noise. ✨
Hosted by Registered Holistic Nutritionists and acne experts Katie Stewart and Cris Brown, who've helped 3,000+ clients across 15+ countries clear their skin from the inside out.
Every episode breaks down what your skin and body actually need, across the 5 things that drive breakouts: gut health, detoxification, hormonal balance, nervous system regulation, and nourishing skincare. You'll get practical tips, real client stories, and clinical answers to the questions you've been Googling at 1am. 💜
Because clear isn't just about your skin. It's about feeling confident, balanced, and aligned in every part of your health.
In a world that makes women's health way too complicated, this show keeps it simple: clear skin, clear body, clear mind, clear life. Tune in and let's Keep It Clear.
(Formerly The Clear Skin Chronicles.)
💻 Website: katiestewartwellness.com
📱 Instagram: @katiestewartwellness
When you start to actually look into the ingredients and the formulations, like, I I've done that for one that just came up recently. I was like, oh my gosh. Absolutely hard.
Speaker 2:No. So that's why I always say, like, just be diligent. Like, look at stuff that you're putting, and you're putting it on your skin every single day. Like, it's absorbing in so fast because it's going inside your body. Those are oils that are not good for your skin.
Speaker 2:They're, like, sitting there to make you look dewy.
Speaker 3:It's the same with the food supply. Right? It's the same with, like, margarine that has hydrogenated oils. And if you look at the nutritional labels, it says only take a quarter of a teaspoon or or eighth of a teaspoon because after that, they've gone over, and now it's what? It is completely trans fats.
Speaker 3:So same thing with skincare. She put on this mask
Speaker 2:that was being sold on TikTok shop, and I think it was like a Kay Beauty related mask. And she broke out into RevRev, and it's been three months. And her dermatologist is trying to figure out what has happened. Do not buy unknown brands on TikTok shop because it looks cool. Like, it's your skin.
Speaker 2:Do some research.
Speaker 1:This is Keep It Clear, real conversations about skin acne in women's health without the overwhelm, because you deserve answers that actually make sense. Today's episode starts now. Well, we know I'm a big skincare girly. I will add to cart anything. I will try anything out.
Speaker 1:But I am actually so super picky, Chris, about what skincare companies we bring on the podcast.
Speaker 3:Well, absolutely. We can't preach it if, you know, we're not gonna follow through with it.
Speaker 1:Yeah. No. And, like, we get pitched dozens and dozens every single month of skincare companies. So I'm very, very selective. I think we've really only had two on.
Speaker 1:So I'm really excited because this is actually the first time that we've had a Canadian founded skincare company. And what really caught my attention, I'm so excited because the CEO of Verify Skincare, Lindsay Namiej, is did I say that right?
Speaker 2:Like, I I tried really hard. Very difficult last name.
Speaker 1:Okay. It was I was practicing, and I was
Speaker 3:like, I don't wanna screw it up. But I'm so excited that you're here.
Speaker 1:And the reason why it was an auto yes for me to have you guys on the podcast is not only are you Canadian founded, but it was discovered at the University of Guelph. I went to Guelph Humber, which is an offshoot of Guelph. I'm like, oh my gosh. I would absolutely love to have a, like, a local homegrown skincare company on the podcast. And I found out as we were chatting that it's actually made next door to my hometown.
Speaker 2:Alright. Well, you know what? I love the serendipities.
Speaker 1:I know. It's so nice. So I actually Lindsay, I would love for you to share, like, how did you first discover Verify? But it it was it more of the skincare brand, or was it the ingredients they were using originally?
Speaker 2:So I'll give you a quick backstory of of the brand, and then and then my discovery of it. So it was actually, as you said, it was discovered through the University of Guelph. They revealed this crazy phytospheric it's basically photoglycogen, which is a vegan form of glycogen, which in layman's terms means it delivers like super hydration. More so that most forms of glycogen which are made from marine and shellfish. So discovered this crazy new novel ingredient is this biotech science based company, and some super smart women that were at the biotech company go, let's start a skincare brand around it because that's a way to really bring it to market and deliver it so people can see the benefits.
Speaker 2:And so that's what they did. And they did a fantastic you know, as only scientists would do, they did a fantastic job of clinical trials, rigor tests, and, like, insane formulation, which a lot of beauty and skincare products don't necessarily do because they're more focused on the brand and all of that. But I mean, what they did and how they built it was incredible. So super strong foundation. But they were a biotech company first and foremost.
Speaker 2:So what ended up happening is because the ingredient is so powerful, they ended up selling to a Swiss ingredient company. And I was using this skincare line, and it was and I had been using, like, really expensive lines because I like putting, you know, I'm like, I'll
Speaker 3:try Same.
Speaker 1:That's me.
Speaker 2:You're like, skincare product.
Speaker 1:$500 serum. Absolutely.
Speaker 2:100%. And so I was always and and one of my girlfriends and obviously, I'm born in Canada, born in Toronto. One of my girlfriends, oh, you need to try this brand. And so I started using it. It's this magic.
Speaker 2:Like it it like for me, you know, I'd I'm 44, like I just my skin's a little bit different now, like I need a lot of hydration, and this was like I was starting to use those, like I'm getting so many compliments. And so I was just going along and I found out that they were selling and they were not gonna keep the brand. I was like, there is no way, like, this can go can go away. So the CEO, an amazing gentleman of the biotech company, we just talked together like, you know, he was it it worked out. Like, it wasn't like this huge transaction.
Speaker 2:They were tiny little brand at that time. Like and so we took it over, and we've been growing it and expanding it through, like, not venture money. Right? So this is all, like, blood, sweat, tears, like a little brand that could. So we're going a lot slower than a lot of these big brands who have huge budgets.
Speaker 2:But the power of the product speaks for itself because our returning customer rate is so high. So we have a very loyal customer base, which lets us grow at a sustainable rate versus there's all these skincare brands popping off as celebrities and all this, and you know, you buy it and then you don't use it again, and that's not sustainable business model. So anyways, that's the long winded story of I was a like loyal fan and saw an opportunity to be able to expand it and help it and and it's been it's been great. A labor of love.
Speaker 1:Yeah. I absolutely loved it. And you know, because both Chris and I got to try their products, and, like, I'm a big fan of a nice brand, like a nice marketing. I wanted to look good on my countertops. And both Chris and I were like, oh my gosh.
Speaker 1:Like, the dark green with the gold, like, it looks so pretty to just, like, keep on the countertop.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Exactly. You know, you wanna feel good. Like, that's like, you know, you it's your you are. Part of the experience.
Speaker 2:It's your ritual. I mean, you want it to work. So, you know, you can have, like, all the marketing and packaging in the world, but then it needs to work, and you wanna feel good with it on your counter.
Speaker 1:Now another thing that really drew my attention because at first, was like, oh, Guelph, it was women founded. Like, I'm all about that. And then I was like, well, I need to make sure, like, the products are good. So when I was digging into the ingredients, it was one that I had actually never heard of before. And being in this world, I'm like, I've heard of pretty much everything.
Speaker 1:So can you tell us a little bit more about, like, that key ingredient that you guys are using in VERIFI?
Speaker 2:Yes. So it's so we call it phytospherics. And what it is, it's a vegan form of glycogen. So it's a it's a photoglycogen molecule, which I mean, does a whole bunch of things. It's in every single one of our products, and we have, like, high levels of it because it's so effective.
Speaker 2:But in in essence, what it does is it just turbocharges moisture. So if that's why, you know, 40 skin really resonates well with it. I mean, it works well for younger skin as well, but people who are lacking moisture notice an immediate difference. And it stimulates the power of your own skin, which is what I like. Because a lot of active ingredients are just like synthetic and doing this is like having your skin create more collagen on its own.
Speaker 2:So it's basically powering your skin to do what your skin should do if it was performing naturally healthy, all of that. And I'm a big believer in that. Like, know, you kinda get to a certain age and like, I'm just not putting junk on my skin that's gonna make it dependent upon it, and then it puts it into, you know, shock state, and then it's causing more havoc than it's worth. We're also a big believer of less is more. So, you know, there's this trend a couple years ago like skin flooding, and everyone's putting like 20 different layers on their skin of different
Speaker 1:It gets crazy. It was crazy out there. And then the morning shed, I was like,
Speaker 2:this is getting out of hand. I you know, and it's it's like, that's horrible. It's it's really bad for your skin. And a lot of people were really messing up their skin because if you're combining multiple active ingredients with each other, like, you're just thinking, oh, yeah. That's going into your body, and that is doing a lot of damage.
Speaker 2:So I always say, regardless of what line you're using, like, really look at what actives you're mixing with each other or look at what you're putting on. And your skin is actually really powerful if you just like fuel it with the stuff that it needs in order to do what it's meant to do.
Speaker 1:And so I always like because when, you know, Chris is not a big skincare person. Like, I'm the big skincare person. So I I actually really love when we have to we try new products. I'm like, Chris, like, what is your opinion? Because she's gonna, like, really notice what she likes and what she doesn't.
Speaker 1:So, Chris, I'm curious. Do you wanna share the one that you really loved?
Speaker 3:Okay. First and foremost, I love that there was a number system. I cannot thank you enough for that number system because I'm newer. I I shouldn't say I'm newer, but I'm like, you know what? I'll just put some casserole on my face and call it a day.
Speaker 3:You know what I mean? Like, I'll just, like, what's this attitude lotion? Just okay. I'll try that. Right?
Speaker 3:Like, I just I have never been it been in it. Like, you know, if I wear mascara, this is like a big event. The girl my my my girls are like, oh, mom, where are you going? Like so it's just not my thing. Right?
Speaker 3:So yeah. So thank you very much for the number system because I am telling you, I love that. Simplifies everything. And for people that don't always have the skincare, you need that. You need that triage.
Speaker 3:Right? Like, I threw out the boxes. Who knew you're supposed to keep those if you didn't, you know, have a system? But I like the I like how it's not greasy. I like how when you put it on, so I'll put a little bit on and I just kinda like and I just watch it kinda go right into my face, and I'm like, oh, thank you.
Speaker 3:So I know that there's no, you know, like, inappropriate barriers in there that are just kind of surface level. I know what's going in. The eye cream, I know Katie is, like, raving about it all the time. She's I
Speaker 1:love it. I love an eye cream though.
Speaker 3:I like how it's all together. I couldn't figure out what the smell with the mist was. I'm like, it smells so good. I'm like, what is that?
Speaker 2:We're we're fragrance free, like, purpose, the line, but the mist has, like, a hint of vanilla through one of the but it's not a fragrance line.
Speaker 3:Which I loved, but it took me a while.
Speaker 2:We're just like fragrances actually disrupt hormones, so we
Speaker 3:Exactly. Just
Speaker 2:away from them.
Speaker 3:So that's when I first put it on, uh-oh. Uh-oh. So I started going through the
Speaker 2:packaging again. I'm like, there's something wrong here,
Speaker 3:and then I would and then we realized it was vanilla. So we're like, oh, and then we just loved it again.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 3:So small little nuances into my world. Right? Like, Katie's like, oh, I love pots, goes on the counter. I'm like, okay. Listen.
Speaker 3:I put everything in my drawers. Right? So, like, we are complete opposites. But from the from the marketing to the coloring to the number system, I mean, from somebody that does not do a lot of skincare, like, I think you're just you're nailing it. Like, it looks so good.
Speaker 3:It feels good too. I have no please don't ask me the names, but I love the names. Like, you have a control alt delete. Like, I love the names. Don't ask me in what.
Speaker 3:There's one that goes on right after the mist, you know,
Speaker 1:you gotta be like push
Speaker 3:up. Right?
Speaker 1:You can tell Chris is not the I am not. But this is I love
Speaker 2:this though. Like, this is what this is what it's meant for. It's meant for, you know, it's meant for people who are obviously affectionados of skincare, but it's also meant for people who are just
Speaker 3:like, I just want something that works,
Speaker 2:and I just wanna trust it, and I don't want a whole bunch of hype.
Speaker 3:And I am well in my forties. So ideal target market right here. Do I know everything it's supposed to do? No. So I went in blind, but I like to do that.
Speaker 3:I like to do it like a blind kind of like the placebo. You know, I'm putting it on. But overall, you know, I just I like that it has no residue. I I really love that because that's even in expensive products, that's hard to find. Right?
Speaker 3:And it doesn't feel tight. Like, you've had a facelift on some of the serums that you know? I mean, I would totally go for one, but it just doesn't feel like that. You know? But yeah.
Speaker 3:So just overall, I just I I just like the whole my favorite is the the moisturizer before the eye cream. Number four. Number four, everybody. Number four, go get your number four.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Yeah. And it listen. We we have it as a cyst, like, five steps, like, super simple. But people don't have to use all steps.
Speaker 2:We just say like, this is the way that you do it. For example, people who are just like, I don't want any, you know, headache and drama. Just tell me what to do. But there's a lot of people also that just like, they'll come in for the core trio, which is, you know, the serum, the eye cream, and the moisturizer. Or some people like they love the mist, and they just so people can kind of we're not here to replace all your favorites in your system, but if you once what usually happens is people come in for one or two products, and they're like, oh my gosh.
Speaker 2:I'm noticing a difference. And then they go and they look at the science, and they see the clinicals and the data. It's not just marketing hype. And they're like, okay. I'll try it.
Speaker 2:And then all of sudden, they're on the whole system. So and that's fine to how whatever works for people in their lives.
Speaker 1:And one thing I did wanna touch on that we we briefly spoke about is the insane amount of skincare companies that are out there right now. Right? Like, every other day, there is a new celebrity, a new influencer coming out with a skincare line. And a lot of the times is they get all of this hype because of their notoriety on social media. But when you start to actually look into the ingredients and the formulations, like, I I've done that for one that just came up recently.
Speaker 1:I was like, oh my gosh. Absolutely hard. No. So let's really talk about maybe some ingredients that we wanna be watching out for in products.
Speaker 2:I mean, there's unfortunately a lot, but I think just to go back to your thing on that and and it's listen. Each to their own on how they do it. And they'll say that some celebrities and some influencers are really doing their diligence.
Speaker 1:They do. Yeah. I've seen some great ones.
Speaker 2:Indeed. And there's some so there is some great ones. This is not a blanket statement. But what happened is, you know, skincare popped off in the last five, six years of these indie brands, like, doing really well. So there's these things called white labeling through contract manufacturers.
Speaker 2:And what that is, it's just like predesigned formulations that are budget friendly. Right? And they're go and and they can go off the shelves and get a moisturizer or or whatever it is, and not have to spend any time on formulation, not have to spend any time on, like, clinicals and and launch a skincare brand and be the marketing engine because you're an influencer or or a celebrity. And so that's that's one area of of what's happened and and what's been an issue. And then there's the brands that, you know, don't necessarily come out the gates as strong, but they spend a lot of time in the r and d, and they're doing clinicals, and they're looking at the formulations, and they're making sure the ingredients are good.
Speaker 2:And you just don't get as many of those that then have the because then you need a lot of money. Like, people don't realize like in order for like, if you're hearing about a skincare company everywhere, they're spending millions of dollars on marketing to get that visibility. You know, whether it's the influencer themselves or it's their media strategy, whatever it is. So that's why I always say like, just be diligent. Like, look at stuff that you're putting in.
Speaker 2:You're putting it on your skin every single day. Like, it's absorbing in so fast because it's going inside your body. Make sure that those ingredients are you know, if you want you you don't want the phylates, you don't want the you like, you just all the like, what you talked about, Chris, about, like, when you put things and it sits on top of your skin because it makes it look dewy, like, those are oils that are not good for your skin. They're, like, sitting there to make you look dewy, so you think it's going well, but it's yeah. So I you just gotta be really, really careful of what your choices are.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Because a lot of years go into well developed skincare brands, like you said. Right? Is there's a lot of the clinical and, like, the research and, like, that's years and years of time. And oftentimes, like, what you see as a skincare brand, it's been in development for a very long time.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Ones that are good, yes, they have. Right? And and then and this is the thing that I love about Canada. So like no shade to The US, but like Canada to Canada's point, they are rigorous with their testing and requirements of ingredients.
Speaker 2:I mean, US is getting better, so I will give them props for that. Like, are getting better. But Canada holds itself to very high standards. You can't have ingredients that are gonna cause damage. You're just gonna like, we're like, we Health Canada reached out to us recently.
Speaker 2:They're like, hey. This product's great. We've like, we just told them to do new testing. I'm like, absolute. Like, I love that.
Speaker 2:Like, you don't have FDA reaching out saying that they're gonna be wanting to do just, like, random testing. Like, Canada does that because it sits to European standards. So I always say, like, listen. The ultimate is, like, I would say, like, French pharmacies. Like, if you go into a French pharmacy in France, like, go at it.
Speaker 2:You know what I mean? Like, you
Speaker 1:take a trip. Now we have to go.
Speaker 2:You gotta take a trip. It is it's like the most fun to do, by the way, but you see, like but they have gone through rigorous rigorous testing. And so, you know, there used to be it's changed a little bit, but in The US, things under 1%, you didn't have to list it on the label. What? Are you kidding me?
Speaker 2:Like, no. That's crazy. Like, you you truly don't
Speaker 1:know what you're putting on your body.
Speaker 3:It's the same with the food supply. Right? It's the same with, margarine that has hydrogenated oils. And if you look at the nutritional labels, it says only take a quarter of a teaspoon or or eighth of a teaspoon because after that, they've gone over, and now it's what? It is completely trans fats.
Speaker 3:So same thing with skin care. Yeah. It's just this under the radar thing that really annoys me because it's like people are stamping it. Like, are stamping it. Predominant associations are stamping things.
Speaker 3:And I'm like, oh, and I have to explain that to clients, and I'm like, no. We can't do that. We just can't
Speaker 2:do it. But and and I think that that's I feel like people are getting smarter. So I feel like it's changing, and we're and we're starting to see a change, but it's still there. And it's, you know, talking about the food system, like, there's a lot of money being made on keeping people unhealthy. Right?
Speaker 2:Like, you're not it's not good for business to keep people unhealthy because then they cut the private health care system, and, like, you know, you don't want that. So I I think people just need to be more had a friend the other day was talking about she bought a like, listen. I love TikTok shop more than anyone else. Like, you get so many things, you're like, well, that's cool. But I try she put on this mask that was being sold on TikTok shop, and I think it was like a K beauty related mask.
Speaker 2:And she broke out into RevRet, and it's been three months. And her dermatologist is trying to figure out what has happened because it's like, people talk about that enough. Like, that's the thing. Do not buy unknown brands on TikTok shop because it looks cool. Like, it's your skin.
Speaker 1:Do some research. Yeah. Absolutely. I think we just get so caught up, especially K beauty. Like, they're having such a big moment right now.
Speaker 1:Like, everywhere is K beauty. So I think people are automatic like, oh, it's K beauty. It's gotta be good.
Speaker 2:It's like it's almost like it's a certification of there's something and it's not. It's it's it's a it's a listen. There are some great so it's like all these these things that you can't generalize because there's some fantastic players doing some really great things in this. You just gotta make sure you look at it. And that's why I say like less is more.
Speaker 2:Like, we will never be a 30 product SKU brand. Like, it just won't happen. You know? Our we're we are these few products. They work well.
Speaker 2:That's all your skin needs. And so that's what, you know, wasted behind. Because you see these brands that have tons of SKUs, but they have a couple heroes, but they still have to spend all this time, money supporting all these other SKUs. And it's, you know, why? Just to increase the basket size.
Speaker 2:Like, just have a product that people get back for. That's how you increase your business.
Speaker 1:And for you, you know, being in this space, because you guys were founded back in 2019, I believe. Yeah. 2019. So you've been in isn't it crazy that it'll be like a decade in a couple years?
Speaker 2:Oh my god. Oh my god.
Speaker 1:Isn't that weird? That's strange. Sorry.
Speaker 3:Katie because I just think my age goes up with that. I know.
Speaker 1:Everybody's age goes up.
Speaker 2:I had to do this activity. I was at this retreat thing, and they're like, talk about like, put your children's age in ten years. And I was like, oh my god. He's gonna be like 18 years. I I was like, no.
Speaker 2:Like, no. I know. I thought about that
Speaker 1:the other day. My my nine year old turns 10 this year. I'm like, he's like, halfway done his time at home with me. That's crazy.
Speaker 2:It's so sad when you think about that. That's and it's good. It helps you focus on the moments that matter, but, yeah, it's wild what you think.
Speaker 1:Wild. So let's forget about that being in a few years.
Speaker 2:Because right
Speaker 3:now Because right now I'm not going to university, so let's Yeah.
Speaker 2:Let's stop talking.
Speaker 1:I know. It's weird. So for you, Lindsay, you know, being in this space, like, what do you find is not only maybe, like, really trending right now, but where do you see this space going in the next few years? Because it's growing at such a rapid pace.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I think listen. What the good thing is that it bubbled really fast out of COVID, and you're seeing an attrition rate of brands just dissipating because there is so much venture that went into the skincare space, I'd say about four years ago. But if the companies weren't profitable, they were built unsustainably because they were just there buying growth. So I think we're starting to see an attrition of brands that just aren't gonna make it.
Speaker 2:And some of them are good brands. They just took venture and you grow it, you know, it's not a good business model. But I will say, like I know we've always been at this skin minimalism place of how we were developed as a brand. But I do feel like that's starting to trend because we had flooding a couple years ago. We had all of this, like, you know, this TikTok, like, try everything type thing, and people are becoming a lot more smart.
Speaker 2:Right? They're looking at I mean, like, no ingredients matter. No. And especially when you get into your forties, you're just sitting there and be like, how can I make myself live longer and optimize, perform? And you it's more of you edit your life versus adding to it.
Speaker 2:And I think that's starting to happen with younger generations as well. And I think it's a really good thing. So I think we're gonna see this, you know, back to basics, really focus on what works less and and AI is also a blessing and a curse. Mhmm. But you can really find things that are right for you based on incredible reviews.
Speaker 2:So if you if you suffer from rosacea, you know, before you'd be like, okay. But now you can use AI to, like, really uncover and then do your research on what might be the best thing for your skin and why things haven't been working. So I do think we're coming into an age of education and an age of discernment where where people are making smarter choices.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Because I think we were just inundated, especially in the health and wellness space and the beauty space with, like, overabundance. It's like add to cart, what else can I buy? And I think people are getting burnt out by it. It's like burnt out by the 15 step skincare routines and, like, all of these different beauty, like, gadgets and, like, you see some beauty influencers, and they have, like, an hour and a half routine every morning.
Speaker 1:Like, that's not sustainable.
Speaker 2:I mean, I don't know about you, and I do not have that time.
Speaker 1:Not have that. I can barely, like, make myself a matcha in the morning, let alone have an hour following,
Speaker 3:first of all, that has that routine? Like, that That's a buy. That's a good buy.
Speaker 1:It comes Yeah. Up in your feed, and you're they're like, this is the routine I do every morning. Oh, And it literally is like 85 steps. I'm like, how in the world are you doing this? You probably you're just an influencer with no kids at all.
Speaker 1:That's definitely what you're doing.
Speaker 2:And and to your point, like, we're also getting to this this part where people are like real realizing like, oh, this influencer is talking about this product this week, and now they're talking about this product.
Speaker 1:Now this product that week.
Speaker 2:And it's like
Speaker 1:It's a paycheck.
Speaker 2:We're getting exact. So we're we're we're getting smarter, and I and I do listen. But I know, like, people, like, say recession and all stuff, but we're just getting into an age where people are, like, more discerning of where they're putting their dollars. And I think that that's gonna help the best brands survive. And that's why I say that, you know, don't look at what your top top top line first customer revenue is because anyone can market and get that.
Speaker 2:Like, what is your returning customer rate, and how long are they returning for? Like, that to me is, like, good brand. And if brands would be more visible about that side of their business, then skincare really works and performs versus just this hype.
Speaker 1:Yeah. That would be such a good metric to start seeing is like who's actually coming back, what's the retention rate, how long are they a customer for, what are they buying on repeat, like, can really start to see those trends.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I mean, that's the interesting data. Right? And I think that also like as private equity, you know, they were swooping in and buying up a lot of these brands. Now, that's that's that's a big thing.
Speaker 2:And also like this gear towards science. Right? Is is like, show me the studies. Like don't just show me the hype. Show me like the actual data behind it.
Speaker 2:Third party, not done by you with some focus group like actual trials by like repeatable music. And and, like, people are demanding that more. Again, savvy people are demanding that more, but I do feel like we're starting to to see that.
Speaker 1:And it you know, I know this isn't super skincare related, but I think it's a really great
Speaker 2:topic to include because you
Speaker 1:being a female entrepreneur. And I feel like in the last, like, five, maybe even eight years, you've seen a lot of female entrepreneurs, a lot of female businesses really start rising and, like, taking over the space. So for you, you know, doing this back in 2019, were you always an entrepreneur, or did you get into this space because of VERIFI?
Speaker 2:I'm I I've always been an entrepreneur. I mean, my dad was an entrepreneur. I'd say it was like a genetic DNA thing that just that just happened. It was I mean, I tried to get a job. I will never forget.
Speaker 2:Like, I went for an interview. No one would hire me, and I was just like, Kidding. You are. And so I was for I think it was like the universe's way of guiding me into it, but I was forced to start my own business when I was out of college in my in my early twenties. And I started in the communications world.
Speaker 2:So we were, you know, we did like Richard Branson Virgin were like was one of my first clients, and we helped them launch like on social. And we were really into like the story, the brand, like the heart and soul of what what what drives a business and what drives that psychology attraction. And so I've always I've always been in it. And then I just got involved with lots of different startups along the way because they feel you know, some people go to Vegas and and gamble or some people have a shopping addiction. Like, I have a business addiction.
Speaker 2:It's just I just love talking to entrepreneurs and seeing what they're up to and and mentor a ton. And, you know, is that's why this to me was just like, okay. This is like something that I care about deeply because I'm in my health and longevity and all that, and I'm really into skincare. And I can also like match my passion of just like that story building brand and and entrepreneurship. And I think, women rule the world, like truly because they love my men, you know, like but when women come into a business, they don't just look at it as like, oh, it's just numbers and like how do we get a quick like build a business.
Speaker 2:And it sometimes is a little bit slower because they're building it from a place of like profitability versus just growth for the sake of growth. But usually, you have a lot more hurt and thoughtfulness across the different elements of it. And we're, you know, we got a lot of stamina. You know, we like, you've all there, but like, can be a mom, you can be a business, like, can do it all because you we can balance more. And that's gender stereotype, but anyways, that's where I
Speaker 1:Well, you're speak you're preaching to the choir here. We we also agree. Like, yeah, I love I always say, like, you know, I love that my husband can carry things in for me, open jars, lift heavy things, and that's pretty much all I need you for, really, at the end of the day. I'm kidding, Frank, if you're listening. I need you for more.
Speaker 1:But, you know, what really excites you, you know, having been an entrepreneur for, like you said, early twenties, over twenty years you've been an entrepreneur. What really excites you about this like age that we're living in in female entrepreneurship?
Speaker 2:I just think that we're in an age if people have a dream or a vision, they don't feel like it's not possible because you're fed with stories and examples of how it is possible. And I think even twenty years ago, you know, there was no social media, so you weren't seeing it as much. It was either like a built in thing that you did, or you, like, you didn't have models of possibility. And I think now there's a lot more models of possibility out there. I think it's I think it's a great thing.
Speaker 2:Like, I think it's it's for me, like, I was never into art. I was never an artist, but business was my creativity. You know, like, me, like, putting that, like, that is my art. That's how I express. That's how I do things.
Speaker 2:I think that people have more access to seeing other people do that, which makes it more tangible for them to be able to do.
Speaker 1:Like, you really do see so many women owned businesses now, especially on social media, and it's like when you see other women doing it, you're like, oh, I I can do that too. It's like it's I think it's just it's probably wouldn't been one of my favorite things about social media is just being able to see other people doing these great things.
Speaker 2:And that, like, I love that you just said that because, you know, a lot of people complain, oh, social media is destroying things, and it's like doomscrolling. Like, curate your feed better because that that algorithm can play good or bad. Right? So, like, I go on there and I swear my Instagram is like a dose of rainbows and happiness because I just follow these, like, accounts that are, like, so positive and, like, entrepreneurship this or, like, this that. And I love it.
Speaker 2:Like, it's it it it listen. You do have to limit the amount that you're on, but, you know, then I have other friends that, you know, if you if you do click a few things, you get fed dirt. Right? So, like, curate your feed. Like, you just gotta curate your life, and you can have it work for you versus against you.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And I think I don't know if everybody has this on their Instagram, they just release features where you could actually go and see what the algorithm thinks you wanna see, and you could even add new tags and remove tags of things they wanna see. So I was like, oh, this is great because you can go in if you accidentally, like, all of a sudden you get all these doom things. You're like, what in the world did I click off to get fed this? So I think if you wanna, you know, be utilizing social media in that healthier space, in that more positive way, is go and like you said, go and curate.
Speaker 1:Put things that are gonna make you happy and laugh and all those things. We don't need to always be doom and gloom all the time.
Speaker 2:No. Exactly. And and then the one thing I'll say about, you know, like, it shows more access to female entrepreneurs that you can you can see people doing it. But there is like, it's not easy. You know what I mean?
Speaker 2:So you still have to have like grit and resilience. So you can see the potential, but then when you get into it, like, you have to have the follow through. Because it like, everyone's like, you're an entrepreneur. I'm like, do you know how many sleepless nights I have? Do you know the level of anxiety that I can
Speaker 1:Every day. Every day.
Speaker 2:Day basis? Like, it's not healthy. But I have no other option because that's just who I am. But so I think peep like, you know, people knowing both sides of that as well. Like, I've got friends that started to be entrepreneurs, and then they realized, like, this is not for me.
Speaker 2:It's not a healthy balance from that. That's amazing. Like, I think there's people in talking knowing themselves. Right? Like, if that doesn't work for you and you were able to own that, that makes you stronger than most people.
Speaker 2:Because a lot of people just think they have to do something a certain way because everyone else can
Speaker 1:I think that's such a good point is understanding yourself because you're right? Like, being an entrepreneur on the outside seems so, oh my gosh. You get to set your own hours, you work for yourself, that must be great. And then on the flip side, you're like, literally, how, like, how often are you lying awake at 3AM? Like, oh my gosh.
Speaker 1:What about that marketing campaign? And this needs to happen. I gotta send that in for the taxes. Like, it's a really hard thing. And I think resiliency is the number one skill that I has have developed as an entrepreneur.
Speaker 1:Yeah. You gotta have a thick skin. So, you know, Chris, any additions? Because Chris has also been in the business phase for a little while.
Speaker 3:Oh, much like Lindsay, I born and bred. Right? I think I think if you you you up in it, you just have this different outlook. You don't see your parents all the time at dinner. You don't, you know, you're watching them grow and foster things.
Speaker 3:So for sure, I was in that. I have a business background. How I got into health is a whole other story. But yeah. So it you you're in it or you're not.
Speaker 3:Like, it's like all of us. You love them or you don't. Right? There there's no in between. That's business for you.
Speaker 3:You either have the skin and there there's a lot of resilience with the brain flexibility too. It's understanding. So, you know, I have my own business. You know, I I hang out with other entrepreneurs. But the big thing for me is now at my age, I love going to other people's businesses and being like, okay.
Speaker 3:Listen. Here's some ideas.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Right? That's why I keep
Speaker 1:her around for so long.
Speaker 3:Yeah. This this is thanks. Got there there's my there's my paycheck there. But yeah. No.
Speaker 3:I really I love doing that now. Right? Because through the evolution of business, you've already done those things. You've seen what's failed. You've tried it.
Speaker 3:It's no different than, you know, skincare. You know? And we're like, oh, I can't do that again or your friend with the rash. Never gonna buy that mask again. Right?
Speaker 3:Guaranteed. So we learn from experience, and I'm just now I'm just so comfortable in my experience that I'm like, hey. Let's go in, and let's see where there's potential holes because when we're working in in it, we don't see them. And that's what I really, really love now. So that's where I am in my career.
Speaker 2:That's so it's so rewarding. Right? You're able to, like and, like, part of me is just like, why couldn't I have this, like, level of understanding twenty years ago? It's not how time works.
Speaker 1:And something that you do, Lindsay, is, you know, being a female entrepreneur is you guys actually give scholarships to women in STEM as well. So tell me a little bit about that.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So I mean, so as we were talking about, we were discovered at the University of Guelph, and we women in STEM science, technology, engineering, math programs, and business is really important to us. So we have been giving scholarships every year to women entering STEM programs as well as business programs at the University of Guelph. And it's just it's amazing to see just, you know, I think when women see, oh, wow. Like, I can still follow my passion of science and biology and chemistry.
Speaker 2:Mhmm. But I can do it in an industry that I love, like health and wellness or skincare or Mhmm. Whatever it might be. Like, it just it opens more potentials. So yeah.
Speaker 2:So it's it's really important to us. It's it's a great feeling, and it's just a a homage to where we were born.
Speaker 1:I love that. Amazing. Well, Lindsay, thank you so much for hanging out with us today on Keep It Clear. If people wanna go and learn more about Verifi, where can they check you out?
Speaker 2:I mean, Verifi Skincare, and we're spelled v e r I p h y because it's the it's phytosferis and the ingredient. Very, which is Oh. I know. It's scary. Marketing standpoint, it's probably not the easiest because people are, like, verif it.
Speaker 2:But it works. That's it means a lot to us. So verify skincare all over social, and we'll give a discount code for audience that they can so we'll send that after.
Speaker 1:Yep. Amazing. I'll put that in the show notes. So I'll make sure I have all Verifi's information, the discount code, everything will be in the show notes so that way you guys can go and check it out. If you wanna support a female owned, female founded Canadian brand, VERIFI is what you wanna check out.
Speaker 1:Alright, everybody. Have a lovely rest of your day, and we will see you next week on Keep It Clear.