Meet Julissa Serrano | Beauty Product Developer

When it comes to risks, I tend to focus on the aspect of my career. Taking risks has unlocked cumulative rewards and career success for me. Over the years, I have taken many risks, but nothing can compare to making the big move to California from the East Coast to focus on my career in the beauty industry. At an early stage of my life, I analyzed the risks and rewards of a big move across the country. Despite the lack of friends, family and job leads, I realized that to change my life drastically, I must make drastic changes. Nothing truly prepares you for the long journey ahead. My determination and passion to grow within the beauty industry led me to spend a year researching the beauty industry itself, brands, and industry landscape. This helped me determine that the rewards were much more fruitful than the risk itself. Fast forward five years later, and I am now working for one of the most well-known beauty international companies in the world. If I had not pursued this risk, I would have lost out on discovering new opportunities, learning new life skills, and achieving my ambition.

Moving to the United States at a young age shaped how I present myself to the world today. It was a very difficult transition to leave everything behind and start a new life. I learned to adapt and assimilate to the culture and people. Overtime, it got easier, until one day, it became my normal. A need of “fake it until you make it” mindset was necessary to survive.

Over the years, the challenges I overcame allowed me to gain advantage in the work environment. For instance, having a unique work ethic, developing resilience and emotional intelligence. I learned these lessons with years of understanding body language while trying to learn a new language (English), focusing on goals that were seen as unattainable at the time, whilst also having to deal with adult responsibilities at a young age.

Looking at my career now, in product development those three things are important when communicating with vendors, developing new concepts and the start of a great launch. A good motto I like to live by is “to do things thoroughly, instead of fast just to get it done.” Whatever is meant to be will never pass you by.

To start things off I would take my friend through downtown LA bringing them to the best food in town, I have to spoil them a little bit. A reservation at 71 above, a rooftop restaurant experience at the top of the US Bank building (one of the tallest buildings in Los Angeles), second to none. I would then explain to them that I have a week of both excitement mixed with a little bit of relaxation.

After the first dinner, and the following day, I would take my friend shopping at a couple of my favorite thrift stores. You can really find some amazing hidden gems there. We would then make our way to the Santa Monica coast for a delicious lunch at Lou Lou, an amazing rooftop lunch restaurant. Great view of Santa Monica and music. We would then spend the rest of the day at the beach relaxing and looking at some of the most amazing touristic sites in Los Angeles.

The following day I would plan a day of museums starting with the Getty Museum, making our way to LACMA and the La Brea tar pits. Finally, finishing off the day with a hike to the Griffith Observatory.

The next day would definitely be a day of relaxation and rest. I would take my friend to a day spa and give them the true LA experience.

Next, I would tell them that seeing a movie in the Alamo theater would be not only watching a movie, but a whole movie experience.

On this last day, I would leave them room to do something that they had been wanting to do / see in Los Angeles, ending the night with a delicious dinner / dessert at a restaurant called Employees Only, they have the best beef tartar in West Hollywood!

Finally, on the last day I would take them to the airport and wish them a safe trip back home.

I would like to dedicate this to my strong mother. You help me accomplish my goals.