Meet Rose Fernandez, vice president and general manager, North America at Jurlique.
What qualities do you look for in your staff?
When looking to bring on a new team member, it is really important to me that the person is curious. A curious person is interested and invested. They ask questions and often see things differently and challenge conventions. Unless the role requires a specialized or technical skill, curiosity will develop into skillset. For me, this type of inquisitive mind is a reflection of personality and this cannot be taught on the job.
What’s your favorite skincare ingredient?
I love marshmallow extract. It is amazing. We actually grow marshmallow root on the Jurlique farm and it is one of our founding crops from more than 30 years ago. It is amazingly hydrating, soothing, and restorative. The texture is silky and has a lovely slip. You can find this ingredient in many of the Jurlique products, but it is the hero ingredient in our latest innovation Activating Water Essence.
Which brands are your go-to favorites?
This is a difficult question since it is not category driven. Since I get to pick my favorites, here you go—I love Amazon for its convenience, Gilt for its accessibility, value, and brands, and Fitbit because it keeps me accountable. Otherwise, all decisions are made on design, quality, and price.
What positions have you worked in that you feel have been most influential to your career?
The position that was the most influential for me was being an account coordinator for a premium skincare brand. It was during this time that I fell in love with skincare and connecting with people in all roles. As an account coordinator, you get exposure and responsibility for all facets of the business—selling, training, merchandising, recruiting, events, retail, and staff relationships, and you travel quite a lot. I loved the diversity of the work and this passion still translates for me in my current role.
How would you sum up your personal philosophy?
My personal philosophy is to always be gracious. No matter what, there is never a reason not to be. In the end, you are the only one who feels what you feel, so just be gracious.
What are your three greatest priorities in life?
My three greatest priorities in life are to be healthy, be happy, and be present. Those are pretty big goals.