In this episode, I’m joined by Neada Deters. A former beauty editor, Neada is the founder and lead formulator of LESSE, a line of 100% natural skin care made to transform the way you think and feel about beauty.Originally from Sydney, Australia, Neada moved to New York in 2012 to pursue a career in media. As editorial director of DORÉ, she led beauty coverage—interviewing the world’s leading industry experts and testing every skin care product on the market. Through this experience, Neada cultivated a profound understanding of active botanical ingredients and formula innovation. As an editor, and someone of Filipina and Australian descent, she recognized a need for advanced, natural, effective skin care that addressed the needs of diverse skin tones and sensitive skin types.With a focus on shifting paradigms in beauty, Neada self-funded LESSE to remain uncompromising in their approach to ingredients, efficacy, and representation. Personally and through LESSE, Neada continues her commitment as an advocate for several charitable causes with an emphasis on environmental policy, women’s rights, and protection of the most vulnerable communities.“The biggest challenge was having the courage to launch. I had everything together behind the scenes, I just hadn’t gone live with the website. Being asked by Vogue ‘When is your website going live? We’d love to do a story on it!’ It was the Universe giving me a gift. It was telling me, go forward. Take that leap of faith. Find the courage. I’m so grateful for how that pushed me to say "Yes I’m going to do this.“Topics Covered:Growing up in Australia and how that played a role in her skincare ritualMaking the transition from working as an editor to starting LESSEWorking with a reverence for botanicals while formulating the product lineOvercoming fears and creating courage to start a businessThe challenges of being an independent, self-funded companyBuilding a brand and company with integrityGuest Info:Enter code BENSHENTALKS for 20% off your first order on lesseofficial.comLesse Website Lesse InstagramNeada’s Instagram Get in Touch:Benshen.co WebsiteBenshen MembershipBenshen.co InstagramRate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.