By Nikki Walton
“To name my company, I listed everything I was, and wanted to be, and realized the most special thing that I am, is Lisa, Carol’s daughter.”
Lisa Price’s journey begins like that of many entrepreneurs—with curiosity and determination, mixed with moments of panic and a resounding belief that products that were made with love and delivered on their promise would find their following. It was a company born of Price’s love for fragrance and a passion for scent alchemy that formed the foundation of her high-performing products. More than a quarter of a century later, even amid massive industry disruption, new company leadership, and acquisition by L’Oréal, Carol’s Daughter continues to thrive and remain relevant in an industry where brands come and go as quickly as trends change.*
Carol’s Daughter is a household name and Ms. Lisa is a national treasure. I am honored to call her my friend and mentor, and recently got to chat with her about her origin story and self-care rituals, to share with you!
On her morning routine…
For the most part (five days out of 7) my day begins with me getting up ahead of the rest of the house, making coffee, setting out medicine and vitamins (we care for a family member). As I sit and drink my coffee I do an active meditation and practice gratitude with journaling.
I write down things for which I am grateful and I also write out my dreams as affirmations. I am currently following the Start Today system founded by Rachel Hollis.
Pre-Covid, that would have been followed with getting my daughter off to school and then myself to the gym (4 days out of the week), followed by the office. Now, I work and workout from home and my daughter goes to school from home.
On why she created Carol’s Daughter?
I started making products out of my love for fragrance and wanting to have rich and effective moisturizers for my body that would also smell great.
Making Body products evolved into also making hair products as my customers began to ask for items to do for their hair what I was doing for their skin.
Over time, it became a lot larger than I ever thought it could or would be, and the brand and I became leaders in the natural space; an inspiration to women of color who wanted more. Whether it was embracing their natural texture and having options to do that effectively or if it was creating their own businesses. It has been very humbling but also an honor to have many women tell me throughout the years that they do what they do because I did what I did.
I would like for my brand to live on beyond me, and for that legacy of empowerment, inspiration and love to stand the test of time.
On how she stepped into her best self, #Lisa2.0…
I am not always as kind to myself as I should be. I see the flaws and imperfections and I have to push myself to see the progress. I have to remember that I am older and my body is older and when I look for exercise results like the ones I got when I was in my 20’s and 30’s, I have to remember that this is different. This is more about maintenance and well being. My body is not likely to change much at this age, but if I am not vigilant with moving it, it will atrophy in ways from which it may not be able to recover.
While I can cite regular exercise with a personal trainer in addition to getting a Peloton at home to ensure consistent aerobic exercise, and also using the WW (formerly Weight Watchers) program to balance my eating, the biggest shift is the mental one.
I have been working on this better me since 2009 when my weight (at its peak) was probably 300 pounds. I can’t say that for certain as I was too afraid to see that number on the scale and would not get on again after I saw 297. Just typing that number frightens me.
It isn’t about not wanting to “look” like that person I was before. I love her, flaws and all, it is not wanting to be that person I was before. She was sadder than I am today. She was fearful and confused and she allowed people to hurt her because she didn’t believe she deserved better. I am clear about the work I did to be better. The work I am still doing. I am also clear that it is about “becoming” and I am happiest in that space.
While I love the me I was before, she had a lot of bad habits and coping skills that would no longer serve this Lisa in 2020.
On her biggest lesson learned in 2019…
In 2019 I learned to let go. I did not know that I was hanging on to things. The easiest analogy that I can think of is when a mother is hanging on to her “baby” and said “baby” is actually 27. She has to let go and realize that letting go doesn’t mean not loving. Letting go doesn’t mean that that person isn’t forever your baby. Letting go doesn’t mean you are not Mom as those facts and realities are literally in your body. Those cells are alive and well for as long as you are.
You have to let go of the control, the notions, the false narratives and the idea that you can do someone’s growing for them.
I didn’t have to let go of my children but one of the things I let go of in 2019 was the idea that my actions would somehow change other people’s actions. Not at all.
If we truly wish to change people then we must mirror that change in our own behavior, and if it is for them they will follow your example, but it will be their choice and will to do so, not yours. Your will only changes you.
On her current read…
I have two audiobooks going right now.
- More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth
- Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Show Ms. Lisa some love in the comments! What’s your favorite Carol’s Daughter product? Mine? The Monoi Line!
*excerpted from Lisa Price’s Biography
