Have you ever wondered what it’s like to run a business with your mom? We sat down with Jenefer Palmer, the founder & formulator of OSEA, and her daughter Melissa, who serves as CEO. They discuss running a business as a mother-daughter duo and reveal the power of kindness and connection in building a successful brand.
OSEA:
What’s your earliest memory of beauty?
Melissa:
Being at Murrieta Hot Springs and taking a mud bath with my mom.
OSEA:
What's your favorite way to practice self-care?
Jenefer:
I love to dry brush as it’s a wonderful way to wake up your skin and exfoliate dead skin cells!
And eating chocolate, I have to have it everyday!
OSEA:
What is your favorite part of working with your mom?
Melissa:
That I get to learn from her every day!
OSEA:
How do you separate your work from your personal life?
Melissa:
It’s all about setting boundaries. Our family makes it a priority to spend time together when we aren’t talking about work.
OSEA:
Jenefer, what's one thing about Melissa that people would be surprised to learn?
Jenefer:
Melissa ran a successful hula hooping company and she’s a very talented hooper! She even knows how to fire hoop!
OSEA:
What's your leadership style as compared to your mom’s?
Melissa:
I would say that I'm more of a collaborator, while my mom is a visionary. I love getting everyone's input and doing lots of research before making a decision. We really balance each other out. I rely on my mom's vision and intuition, and she trusts me to get the job done. My mom has this incredible sixth sense for what's going to be the next big thing. She'll have a creative idea and just know that it's going to be a hit.
Take our Undaria Algae™ Body Oil, for example - there was not another product like it on the market when it launched back in 2010. My mom believed in it and now it's one of our best sellers.
OSEA:
Jenefer, what's the most unique thing you've learned from working with your daughter, and how has it influenced the brand?
Jenefer:
Melissa has this amazing ability to connect with people on a deep level and make them feel heard and cared for. And that spirit of kindness infuses every aspect of our business, from how we treat our customers to how we work together as a team. It’s not unusual at all for her to hop on our Live Chat and personally answer customer questions, even though she's the CEO! It's that kind of hands-on dedication that has helped build a loyal fan base and shape us into the brand we are today.
OSEA:
Melissa, what's the most valuable beauty advice your mother has ever given you?
Melissa:
Always wear sun-protective clothing, even on cloudy days. My mom wears a full-body swimsuit and a face mask in the pool. She doesn’t mess around!
OSEA:
Jenefer, what's the most important lesson you've learned from being a mother?
Jenefer:
The power of love and connection. When you have a child, your heart expands in ways you never thought possible.
OSEA:
Favorite Product?
Jenefer:
I’m obsessed with our Advanced Protection Cream.
Melissa:
I love our Hyaluronic Sea Serum!
OSEA:
Advice for other mother-daughter duos in business?
Jenefer & Melissa:
Communicate openly and honestly, set boundaries, and never lose sight of the love and respect that you have for each other. And most importantly, have fun!