Birchbox Interview Questions: Cracking the Code to Landing Your Dream Job

Were all growing older every single day. Its just a fact of life. But thank goodness there’s Vanessa Lee! She shows us how to age with grace and purpose in this interview and in her work as a world-famous medical aesthetician.

Vanessa is the owner of the beauty concept bar THE THINGS WE DO. She tells us how her ability to listen sets her apart as a founder and helps her understand what her clients want. We also learn why representation is important for a strong community, how to relax away from screens, and how to embrace what makes you unique through natural beauty.

Do you find beauty empowering? If so, how? Absolutely. Whenever I had a big test in college, I would get up earlier, give myself a good scrub in the shower, do my hair and makeup, and walk into class with the mindset of “I HAVE ARRIVED.” It always made me perform at my best. I felt beautiful because I took the time to take care of myself. For some people its working out and drinking a green smoothie. I totally agree that beauty can make you feel strong. It depends on how well you can articulate what makes you feel beautiful and how well you can use that information.

You will learn as you get older that you have two hands: one for helping yourself and the other for helping other people, as Maya Angelou said. How do you think your platform has affected your own identity? How do you think it has affected a larger community? We love Maya Angelou! Yes, it is known that most practitioners in my industry are white, and being a woman of color (and 90% of our staff is POC) in this field has brought so much to my attention unintentionally. First, clients tell us every week that they feel so at ease because the providers look like them. This is because representation is important. Someone who came in for facials was young and black. He said he was glad he found our business because our website has a picture of our black client DJ Dahi, which made him feel like this place was made just for him. All of this has made me want to talk about how few people of color work in my industry and why. I want to be a part of the change by working with mentees and pushing the bigger pharmaceutical companies to be more open to hiring and training people from a variety of backgrounds.

Scenario: Its been a long week, and youre finally coming home to rest. What’s your favorite way to take care of your mental health? Do you do anything to reset during times of stress? For me, it’s a hobby that I think more people should take up because it helps me relax and forget about things. I metal detect. I walk along trails and use my CTX 3030 while I’m at the beach. I can do this for hours on end. In the past I’ve found some interesting things, but what I enjoy most is the mindless scanning (which gets my steps up!) and the happiness I feel when I find a little treasure. I find it so important to enjoy something that doesnt involve work or a screen.

What advice do you have for other women who want to start their own business, whether it’s in the beauty industry or something else? Surround yourself with people who want you to succeed. For those who want to become entrepreneurs, the road ahead is full of challenges that are well worth the trouble. But being with people who don’t want you to succeed is a trap. Believe in yourself and be in the company of people who contribute to your wellbeing and happiness. Everything else is distraction and poor energy that will drain you.

During your time as a medical aesthetician, when did you realize you had a special skill? How did you use this knowledge to start your own business? I knew I had something special when my patient list started growing quickly just from word of mouth. Patients began to tell me that they had never been treated by a doctor in the way I did, which confused me because I didn’t quite understand. I learned from talking to patients more that they thought their previous doctors didn’t really listen to them and tried to sell them procedures instead of telling them what was best for them. Some of them felt like they were being taken advantage of. I’m a good, solid injector, but I’m also a great listener, and I like to think I’m good at making people feel safe in my chair. Patients can tell when their provider really cares about them, which builds trust. Once patients trust their provider, they start telling everyone how great it is to find someone who gets them. Word spreads very quickly. When I started The Things We Do, I wanted everyone on the team to be an advocate for our patients and their natural beauty. It has grown in ways I never thought it would. Our clinics arent high intensity, intimidating mill house-style spaces. Instead, they’re known for having a soothing and caring vibe, but with the advanced skills of some of the best and most trusted injectors in the business.

To you, what does natural beauty mean? When we say natural, we mean what feels authentic to you. People don’t come to us to look like their favorite celebrity or the newest Instagram filter. Instead, we want to help you look more rested, happier, and healthier by shaping your face, improving your skin health, and balancing your profile.

Part of your philosophy involves prioritizing inner beauty. How can we change our focus from how we look to what really matters? When I give a patient their beauty plan that addresses their concerns, they often ask, “What do you think? Do I really need this?” and my answer is always the same: “No.” I tell my patients that truthfully, none of us need any of this. We’re pretty much set as long as you’re having fun and focusing on things that make you happy. But, just like we don’t have to have certain bags or a matcha latte every morning, these skin and beauty solutions are there for you as an option. If our providers notice that a patient and procedures have an unhealthy relationship, we kindly refer them to one of our recommended licensed therapists. These professionals can really help when the situation needs something more in-depth.

What tips would you give people who are interested in anti-aging treatments to help them get results that look natural? We like to use the term “age support” instead of “anti-aging.” For age support results that look the most natural, I recommend using actives at home that are right for your skin type (i.e. e. azelaic acid for redness, glycolic acid for acne and congestion on the skin’s surface, vitamin C for brightening, and lactic acid for gentle exfoliation and brightening. These should always be used with sunscreen during the day. As far as treatments, I like to address the skin by type and concern as well. For fading brown spots and redness, I like gentle chemical peels. To dramatically smooth skin and reduce fine lines, microneedling is my favorite treatment. To thicken skin that is becoming thinner, PRFM is my favorite treatment, which uses natural growth factors from your own blood to stimulate your skin. There are a lot of options these days that can help your skin, but the best way to start is by addressing your main skin concern.

Do you have any advice for women who want to share their knowledge with a wider audience? I would tell them to grab a camera tonight and start talking! Start by recording yourself talking about three different topics, and you should be able to talk for twenty to thirty minutes. You can cut and paste your videos here to use them on a lot of different sites, and you can start making shorts right away for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. A person I recently talked to knew that she wasn’t growing because she wasn’t content, and she kept telling me, “I really need to get started, I just need to get started.” I finally told her to stop talking about what she needed to do and just do it! If you keep putting out high-quality content because you know how to do it, your niche will notice you and things will start to move. Just get started is my advice. It doesnt need to be perfect, it needs to be out there.

Don’t forget that in March, a portion of the proceeds from every item you buy, including great anti-aging skin care products, will be given to Movemeant, a non-profit that promotes physical activity to build values such as self-confidence, resilience, commitment, balance, and community. Head to our Female-Founded shop to support women while you look and feel amazing.

While a self-described social butterfly, I find empowerment in my independence. Planned trips by myself, dinner dates at new restaurants or parts of the city where the only people I have to talk to are the characters in the book I bring, and going to the local bar and getting to know the bartenders over a glass of wine… or three. When I spend time alone with myself, I feel brave, sure of myself, and ready to take on the world without anything else to protect me. It also gives me time to reflect, plan, journal and explore new places at my own pace.

Top Interview Questions for a Social Media Manager – Career Advice from BirchBox