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  In this episode, Sara talks with Adora Drake about her journey from working in corporate marketing to founding a beauty business. Adora shares how beauty products have helped her feel more empowered in her life, the ins and outs of working with her closest friends, and how trial-and-error in her mother's kitchen led to the creation of the much-loved products that her company sells today. Adora is founder of HighSpirits Essentials, a beauty brand specializing in natural, cruelty-free skincare and cosmetic solutions that empower women of every shade to look and feel their best.   Want to make your own career change? Download Sara's Seven Cs of Successful Career Change Chart.   Sara and Adora discuss: How they got connected Adora starting out in college as a journalism major Switching to marketing Working in corporate marketing Realizing she wasn't happy Noticing her passion for beauty How she uses marketing in her current business Working two jobs at the same time How she knows she's doing the "right thing" now Researching before jumping into a new industry Asking her friends for feedback What beauty means to Adora How taking care of oneself helps build confidence The lack of cosmetics options out there for women of color Her choice to work with organic, non-toxic ingredients Adora experimenting in her mom's kitchen Working with local farmers Learning about chemistry to create body products Her typical day at work Hiring employees What it's like to work with her best friends Being the "oddball" entrepreneur in her family The importance of self-trust Believing in the value of what you're selling Being the first in her family to go to college The benefits of networking Getting energy from positive interactions with others Collaborating with fellow entrepreneurs Balancing the skeptics with those who are supporting and encouraging you How she prepared, financially Her experience after not getting her "dream job" in marketing The power of "self-help" books Taking the time to figure out what makes you happy How being yourself sets you apart from other brands Choosing to focus on empowering women vs. pointing out their flaws Her biggest tip for taking good care of one's skin on a daily basis The advice she'd give her teenage self, who struggled with confidence The advice she has for budding entrepreneurs ...and more! Adora's full bio: Adora Drake, founder of HighSpirits Essentials, traded her full-time corporate marketing career to pursue her dream of creating cruelty-free skincare and cosmetic solutions that empower women of every shade to look and feel their best. Adora had previously worked in several industries with many different teams before realizing that sitting in a cubicle was not the life she wanted. So, after four years, she decided to take the leap and create her own company and brand. In the beginning, she worked full time while building her business on the side, and eventually left to pursue her dream, full time. Adora has had to learn so much about the beauty industry, but it has been well worth it. She's been in business for about a year in a half at the time of this recording, and HighSpirits Essentials is growing!   Connect with HighSpirits Essentials: Website: https://highspirits-essentials.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highspirits.essentials/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighSEssentials/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/highspiritsessentials0036/   Want to make your own career change? Download Sara's Seven Cs of Successful Career Change Chart.