Women in Business Q&A: Gail Federici, CEO Federici Brands

Women in Business Q&A: Gail Federici, CEO Federici Brands
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

Gail Federici is the brains behind Color Wow, a collection of hair care products that are poised to revolutionize the beauty industry. Color Wow harnesses the power of cutting-edge technologies that are unrivaled in the industry to solve every issue associated with color-treated hair and to deliver perfect color, 365 days a year.

Federici is widely known for her successful partnership with internationally acclaimed hairstylist John Frieda. With Frieda she co-founded his original professional hair care company in 1989, which yielded two of the most popular, groundbreaking hair care brands in history. She perceptively identified the unique problems associated with frizzy hair, as well as challenges exclusive to blondes and filled massive voids of unmet consumer needs in the marketplace. These brands reflect Federici’s unique philosophy that hair care should emulate skin care’s “prescriptive approach”, with specific formulas that target specific hair types and problems.

By the time Federici and Frieda sold their company to Kao Brands in 2002, Federici - a serial entrepreneur, was already building her next brands, which fall under her corporate canopy of Federici Brands LLC. She reassembled her all-star team of beauty innovators and thought leaders to continue the legacy of break-through technologies and problem-solution products. Central to this team is long-time innovative partner, Dr. Joseph Cincotta. Federici Brands brand portfolio includes Time Bomb, transformational anti-ageing care for skin, body and hair, as well as myface cosmetics, a color-cosmetics range designed to deliver foolproof results by skin tone, by the world’s most esteemed professional makeup artists.

When Federici isn’t developing the new “it” beauty products, she is giving back. She is an active fundraiser for Boston Children's Hospital. In 2010, she teamed up with John Frieda to form HAIRraising, an international fundraiser benefiting the hospital and raising more than $2 million, to date. She also sits on the Board of Trustees at Boston Children's Hospital.

How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?

I am the oldest of four children so I have always been in charge! I tend to be naturally very analytical and I suppose I’ve learned what to do and what not to do from my various “bosses” over the years. I have an innate belief that where there’s a will there’s a way. And, I think what’s really helped me is that I read a lot of non-fiction about various leaders who are a whole lot smarter than I am.

How has your previous employment experience aided your tenure at Federici Brands?

My experience spans both consumer and professional hair care market sectors. I have worked in marketing, PR, creative services, sales, education and spent a lot of time in the lab with chemists. I’ve co-written a book on hair cutting and one on styling. I’ve learned a lot not only from the executives I’ve worked with but also from the hairdressers, not least of whom was John Frieda. John was both extremely creative and had an incredible business mind. He had real vision, an uncanny sense of timing and was a very strategic creative thinker. His mind was always brimming with ideas.

What have the highlights and challenges been during your career?

The highlights have always been when we’ve succeeded in creating a product that solved a real consumer need which, until that point, had either been overlooked or was still unresolved. The awards that we’ve received for product innovations are humbling but the greatest reward is knowing that we’ve made a difference to the consumer.

The internet/social media is a challenge. It requires a new set of skills, more staff and a significant investment in time and money. Creating content for the web and the various social platforms that resonate and communicate your brand message effectively is an on-going challenge.

What advice can you offer to women who want a career in your industry?

Find a company where you are passionate about the product and where there are mentors to help you grow.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career to date?

I learned early on “never say never” and do not cave in to conventions or listen to people who impose limits, but always be certain to thoroughly kick the tires of every idea you have. Focus and have fun along the way.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?

I’m not that good at it! It’s difficult especially when you have children. I think you are always torn. When you are at work you think you should be at home and vice versa. It’s easy to beat yourself up and think you are not doing a good job at either. When you have your own business it’s all-consuming so you just have to mentally acknowledge that you are doing the best you can and physically you need to give yourself a break every now and then.

What do you think is the biggest issue for women in the workplace?

I think there are many issues. It is more difficult to get the same respect that a man gets. Networking is more difficult for women. They are not part of the “Old Boys Club.” Gender pay gap. There’s much more I could say but it could fill a book.

How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and personal life?

Over the last 20 years my “mentors” have mostly been the authors of various books. Walter Isaacson’s book on Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos’s, The Everything Store, Tony Hsieh’s Delivering Happiness, William Manchester’s books on Winston Churchill, various books on the Navy Seals, as well as Edmond Morris’s books on Teddy Roosevelt. I learn a lot from reading. It helps me to avoid reinventing the wheel and it’s where I find a lot of inspiration.

Which other female leaders do you admire and why?

I admire Michelle Obama for her many accomplishments, intellectually, as a mother, as a role model. She has grace, gravitas and a generous spirit.

I admire Hillary Clinton for her intellect, drive and work ethic. She is fiercely determined and doesn’t flinch in the constant onslaught of sometimes fair, but often viscous and unwarranted criticism.

I admire Dr. Jane Newberger, Director of the Cardio neurodevelopmental Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. She is brilliant, compassionate and dedicated to making a difference. She is quietly doing great work that impacts so many lives.

What do you want Federici Brands/Color Wow to accomplish in the next year?

I want to continue to create products that solve consumer’s hair issues or that can provide aspirational results.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot