What was once a tiny and mighty beauty blog called Into The Gloss has become a bona fide NYC startup: Glossier, with a ragtag team of 35+ jogging up and down the stairwell of our Soho office building, spread out across three floors. Why are we here? We're creating a new kind of beauty company from the ground up—one that acknowledges the hopes, dreams, and desires of women today, and gives them the tools (both digitally and physically) to take ownership over their beauty routines. Who are we? Well, a lot of us began like you: as readers. And we'd like for you to get to know us a little better—what we each do, where we come from, and what we're excited about. Meet two of the members of our marketing team, Minsuk and Sarah:
What's the Glossier approach to partnerships and PR?
Minsuk Kim, Marketing Manager : “It’s interesting because we had so much organic traction at the very beginning and how that's affected our approach—people understood what we were doing and that gave us a head start. I think what is unique about Glossier marketing is that it is very much influenced by who our readers are, who we know our fans to be. And the fact that we're a startup means there's dynamism that other companies don't always have. It's nice to think of ways we can move things forward, rather than maintaining them.”
Sarah Hudson, PR Manager : “We also approach everything we do with a bigger picture in mind. Beauty products are everywhere and the products we make are amazing, but people can buy other things. So why would they choose to buy Glossier? It's product innovation and ingredients, but also how our mission is different and how passionate everyone is here. To drive that message, we focus a lot on the Glossier philosophy and really trying to build relationships with everyone we work with.”
Sarah Hudson
Where are you from?
Atlanta, GA
What do you do at Glossier?
I do all of Glossier's PR, and I also oversee any partnerships that have an offline component.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
My first job was at 13 working at a hair salon every Saturday. I was really into the idea of going to cosmetology school and becoming a hairdresser.
What emoji best represents you?
The one with a panicked, toothy smile.
Favorite flavor of ice cream?
Anything with peanut butter and chocolate, emphasis on the peanut butter.
Podcast of choice?
I am patiently waiting for Serial to return like every other person in America. Until then, I really love Slate's Culture Gabfest.
First thing you do in the morning?
Grab my dog, Buttermilk Biscuit, and give her one thousand kisses. Then fall back to sleep until she wakes me up by batting me on the face like, “Mom, I am ready to pee!!.”
Usual Seamless order?
Chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, vegetable samosas, and a Diet Coke please!
Any dealbreakers?
'I'm not a feminist.”
Minsuk Kim
Where are you from?
Buffalo, NY
What do you do at Glossier?
Digital Marketing. I focus mostly on ads and partnerships.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
I didn't really have a thing I wanted to grow up to “be.” Out of convenience, I told elders that I wanted to be a scientist, but I knew that any STEM career was unlikely—even at a young age.
What emoji best represents you?
Tall grass bending gently in the wind
Favorite flavor of ice cream?
Vanilla
Podcast of choice?
revealnews.org
First thing you do in the morning?
Take a shower
Usual Seamless order?
I don't really order from Seamless. I go to Landmark Diner pretty often. The ladies there call everyone “sweetie' and the coffee comes in indestructible mugs.
Any dealbreakers?
Nope
—as told to ITG
Sarah Hudson and Minsuk Kim photographed by Tom Newton.
Say hello to COO and VP of Finance Henry Davis and Matt Weiler—and get acquainted with the rest of the Glossier team over here.
