Forget Trends, Follow Your Gut: Bobbi Brown’s Life and Work Philosophy

In this episode, Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and Jones Road, speaks openly about the challenges of building her businesses, and what it felt like when a major change turned her world upside down. She shares how she navigated the shock, the anger—and the unexpected freedom—of starting over. She and Leah explore what it takes to navigate sudden change, trust your gut, and start over in a way that feels true. If you’re facing a “now what?” moment, this episode is for you. Bobbi’s journey began as a young makeup artist breaking the rules, creating natural, authentic looks in an industry dominated by heavy trends. What started with testing lipsticks on nannies at the playground grew into a global brand she built from scratch and ultimately sold to Estée Lauder. But after decades at the helm of her namesake brand, Bobbi suddenly found herself facing a moment she never planned for: her work contract was canceled. Suddenly, life went quiet. No overflowing calendar. No endless demands. No clear next step. Just… herself. You can find her book ”Still Bobbi: A Master Class in Resilience and Reinvention” here. If you liked this episode, you’ll also love this one: On the Clock: A Working Mothers’ Roundtable on Parenthood and Ambition. Follow Leah Smart and Bobbi Brown on LinkedIn.