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I sat down to talk with Jenn Harper, the founder & CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics - the biggest Indigenous-founded beauty brand in Canada. Jenn opens up about her story of mental health, intergenerational trauma, and the way she turned her life around by refusing to let her challenges define who she is.
This conversation was so special, and Jenn shared some very personal and vulnerable moments. Regardless of where you are in life, I’m sure you’ll resonate with her story and learn a thing or two about yourself 🩷 I definitely did.
💄Follow Cheekbone on Instagram and TikTok (stay tuned for their upcoming launch on April 22!)
👸Follow Jenn on Instagram and LinkedIn
🌐 Shop Cheekbone products on their website (use code NEEKI20 for 20% off), Sephora Canada, and JCPenny
A bit about Jenn:
Jenn founded Cheekbone Beauty in 2015. The company’s journey began as an online business, a direct-to-consumer brand that took pride in its commitment to reducing environmental impact and supporting Indigenous communities.
In 2019, Jenn appeared on Dragon's Den (the Canadian equivalent of Shark Tank). She turned down the Dragons’ offers and went on to steer Cheekbone towards exponential growth, including contracts with major retailers in North America. This placed Cheekbone on equal footing with global industry giants. Cheekbone products are now sold in Sephora Canada and 550 JCPenney locations across the USA.
Jenn is a voice for topics that are reshaping the business landscape: social entrepreneurship, empathy, representation, inclusivity, and sustainability. Jenn weaves her narrative as both a woman and a representative of North America's Indigenous peoples, and she embodies the importance of these values in today's business ecosystem.
In 2022, Jenn was listed among the 100 Women of Influence by Entrepreneur Magazine (a list graced by the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian). In 2023, Jenn was conferred an Honorary Doctorate degree from the Goodman School of Business at Brock University. This honorary degree recognized her dedication to community betterment and sustainability. In 2024, Jenn was also named as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.
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🖥️ Watch this episode on YouTube