by Ramona Duoba
Just when I thought I’d be settled into a comfortable life I am not. I imagine there are other FOFs who are going through the same life-changing experiences. A few years ago I was laid-off from a job I loved as a TV producer. Just like that my life turned upside down. After a couple of weeks of mourning my job, I updated my resume and forged ahead. Diligently I worked on saving my career: resumes, meetings, interviews, all this during the worst recession since the Great Depression. Not to mention attempting to continue my professional life in an industry that was rapidly shrinking. On the 4th anniversary of my lay-off I had a hallelujah moment. I was working hard to give someone a reason to hire me and so I put all my trust into them, believing they would see value in my experience and awards. I was wrong. I had to start taking charge of my financial future and create my own success.
Fast forward to my meeting last week with Geri Brin, founder of FOF. Geri is a friend of mine. We lived in the same building on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. I went over to her apartment to tell her about my new venture. You have to know Geri. She’s a master at multi-tasking. She’s running a business, organizing beauty events, sitting with her pregnant daughter during her sonogram, renovating her apartment, yelling at Rigby (her barking dog), answering e-mails, text messages and the list goes on. “Do you want me to make a cappuccino for you?” she asks. “Sure,” I tell her. I glance at the kitchen counter where Geri’s making the coffee and notice the Rodan + Fields Redefine Macro Exfoliator device charging out in the open. I’m not sure if I was more surprised that she owned this sold-out item or that it was being charged in the kitchen. (I think it’s more of a bathroom item.) “You know I’m working with Rodan + Fields on its new venture focused on anti-aging,” I tell Geri. “That’s great,” Geri answered. “I just bought this device and love it because I only have to use it once a week for about five minutes. I use the anti-aging products, too.”
I told Geri I was reinventing myself. I’m no Madonna, I said, but I need to do something different, change my life and have control of my future and success. I respect Geri and wanted a businesswoman’s reaction to my decision, not to mention validation. I explained the business model, the opportunity and the potential. “If R+F can do with anti-aging what they did in the acne market with Proactiv, then I want to get to the party early, not late when it’s crowded. I want to be part of the explosive growth,” I explained. “You’re absolutely right in doing this,” Geri said. “Just stay focused and don’t think about the past. Look ahead,” she advised.
So at the age of 52 that is exactly what I am doing. Getting out of my comfort zone, venturing into a whole new industry and excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
Note from Geri: Not only do I get pleasure supporting women like Ramona; I love the R+F products. Besides my trusty Clarisonic skin cleanser, my new Macro Dermabrasion device is one of the most effective skin care products I own. I’ve used it only three times and already my skin feels softer. I guess it doesn’t really belong on the kitchen counter, but its sleek design fits in well with the Nespresso coffeemaker.
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