Meet Rebecca Luedemann

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Luedemann.

Rebecca, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
From the moment I found out I was pregnant with my first son, 11 years ago, I knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom. I didn’t want to miss a single first – first giggle, the first taste of baby food smeared all over his little face, first word, first steps and all the many other firsts that come with kids as they discover the world. I feverishly hunted for a job opportunity that would allow me to work from home or work nontraditional hours around my life as a new mother. Nothing. It was clear I needed to create my opportunities and that’s what I set out to do. I had dabbled in the direct sales industry while I was in college, mainly as a hobby, but believed that if I committed to my own business with a mindset of having to succeed (failure was not an option) I could make it work for me. That’s when I launched my own Avon Beauty Business and it was the exact opportunity I needed at the time to still contribute to the household income while being able to live the stay-at-home mom life I had always dreamed of.

Over the last 11 years, I have worked hard and played hard. Now a mom of three I still work my Avon business around my life. Not the other way around. I work when and where I want to. I set goals for myself. Some are big and scary and some just everyday check lists, but I am getting to live the life I envision for myself and my family. I have gotten to where I am through consistency and a drive to not accept defeat. In today’s world, it is also about creating a personal brand.

With a background in public relations and marketing, I had a solid foundation to draw from in beginning to promote myself and start to build a personal brand. However, through the years, I have learned the importance of continued self-development. I continue to educate myself as much as possible to continue to be successful. Whether it’s keeping up with the latest beauty trends, staying current with social media updates, researching marketing trends, what’s new in blogging or other success principles for small business owners – knowledge is power.

How I became a Mom with Lipstick Kisses (the story of my brand): One early morning several years ago I was headed to the airport to jet off to the Big Apple for training and a photo shoot. My mother was driving and my two young kids were along for the ride. By the time we made it to the airport, both kids had fallen asleep, but I couldn’t leave for the first time to travel across the country without giving them kisses. I lightly kissed both their cheeks, shed a little tear and went on my way. On the way home, my son woke up in a panic and was very upset that he didn’t get to tell me goodbye. My mom tried to calm him down by telling him that I had kissed him and had whispered in his ear that I loved him before leaving. As she looked in the rearview mirror of the car to see if he had stopped crying, she paused and said, “Look, you can see Mommy’s kiss on your cheek.” He quickly sat up real tall so he could see in the mirror too. “You’re right Nana! She left me a lipstick kiss to keep while she is gone.” … And there you go – I will forever be “A Mom with Lipstick Kisses.”

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha! Entrepreneurship should be defined as a series of bumpy unexpected hills and curves. You never know what to expect around the next turn in the road. With that being said, that’s exactly what can make this journey so satisfying as well.

I’d say my biggest struggles have come from within myself. It can be challenging at times to push yourself, hold yourself accountable, motivate yourself and remember to cheer for yourself with each accomplishment. It’s important to have something that can instantly remind you of why you should show up for yourself and put forward your best effort. Your “why.” For me, that has always been my family. Whether I am working towards a goal to achieve, working towards more financial stability, or just trying to get through my top three tasks for the day when I don’t feel like it, I can look around my office and see pictures of my kids or their artwork from school and I am instantly reminded of why I need to be at my best.

Another area I have struggled in is the need to be good at everything all the time and I can get wrapped up in seeking perfection. I can find myself paralyzed and not moving forward because of it. I am constantly reminding myself that no one is good at everything on the first try. The only way to get better at something is by doing it. By actually trying something and failing at it, I find myself closer to my goal. The most important thing is to take the first step in doing (no matter how small that first step maybe). It’s just important to start and that’s how you grow and get closer to your goals.

Please tell us about your business.
Empowerer of Women. My beauty business helps women feel more powerful. That might be by helping each to find that perfect shade of lipstick – where just one swipe can provide that needed boost of confidence to help each activate the power inside taking a first step in discovering just how much they are capable of. I love that I can help women branch out of their comfort zone when it comes to makeup. Never worn a red lipstick? That’s just because the perfect shade hasn’t been discovered yet. Every woman needs a powerful bold lip in her arsenal.

On the flip side, my beauty business can also provide an opportunity or outlet to reach for the stars. Being able to mentor women in creating a business that can empower each one to live life by her design, is one of the most rewarding things about my business. Sometimes that opportunity isn’t just about the possibilities of financial freedom, it’s about finding self-worth. I can’t describe how incredible it feels to celebrate success with a team member and watch her surprise herself with what she can accomplish.

I think I am most known for my five-minute makeup routines, or my five-minute game face as I like to call it. As a busy mom of three, I don’t have time for complicated beauty routines, but I love to experiment with makeup and put my best face forward in the least about of time. With the right combination of products, I help my customers see it’s easy to do. I love to try new techniques and new products. That lends itself well to being a social media influencer. I get to authentically share what my experiences are.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Oh my gosh. It’s so hard to pick just one! I could choose the time I got to surprise my kids with an all expense paid trip to Disney World for my daughter’s 3rd birthday because of my business. The joy on my son and daughter’s faces and the memories made on that trip were priceless and completely unforgettable!

I could choose the times I have been valued for my knowledge and experience. Being asked to train other Avon representatives throughout Arizona on makeup application and how to branch out with bold colors is a highlight for sure! And making appearances on local Phoenix television to provide beauty tips is lots of fun too. I have been featured on Sonoran Living and Your Life Arizona.

I have also had the honor to be nationally recognized several times and have gotten to be a part of national promotional campaigns and photoshoots. But nothing compares to being a featured representative in the iconic Avon Brochure as part of the “No Models, Just Role Models” edition. I know it may sound like that’s where the story ends, but the moment where the “No Models Just Role Models” brochure became my proudest moment only just recently happened. One night I was tucking my oldest son (the reason I started this business) into bed. As I kissed his forehead goodnight I looked up to see that he had cut out my picture from one of the brochures and had taped it to the wall above his bed. That’s my proudest moment. Knowing that he sees me chasing my dreams and have made him proud that made me the proudest mom boss in the world! The definite highlight of my career so far.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://msha.ke/momwithlipstickkisses/
• Instagram: @momwithlipstickkisses

Image Credit:
All photos were taken by me

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