Meet Emily Brouillette | Professional Chemist turned R+F Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Brouillette and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly, I would have never considered starting up my own virtual e-commerce business with Rodan + Fields if I hadn’t been unexpectedly laid off from my 15+ year career in the pharmaceutical industry. Timing really did come into play, and it definitely made my decision easier knowing I had the cushion of my severance coming in.  That being said, I was a believer in the products and the business model was quite intriguing:  no inventory, no parties to throw, and immediate brand recognition on products that were both proven and replenishable. In today’s climate, I think people are much more open to considering a “side hustle” or a “plan b”, and according to a recent Forbes article, it’s better to start one now before your job is in jeopardy.  Living through a pandemic has shown me the way people work, shop, and commicate has changed, and I am grateful that my business has been both relevant and resiliant during these challenging times.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
If you asked my teenager self what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have told you emphatically, “a marine biologist”. My love of animals lead me to study biology in college, which translated to long and successful career in chemistry. I am definitely more of the analytical, science, nerdy type, so the fact that I have been a consultant for Rodan + Fields for 8 years now speaks wonders for not only our products, but for our business model and the people behind the curtain, Drs. Katy Rodan and Kathy Fields. A few months into my business and I quickly learned what I had at my fingertips. I had locked arms two of the most well known dermatologists in the world and had access to sharing their clinically proven skincare with my network. Can you imagine where you’d be today if Uber or Airbnb asked you to partner with them? My genuine love of these products along with my in-depth knowledge of our formulations made it easy to share them with my friends, and my business has continued to grow year over year. The most challenging part of my journey has been stepping into a leadership role for my team, but we all have so much fun together and are extremely collaborative – quite different from my previous career. I’ve enjoyed the personal development I’ve experienced while with R+F, often times pushing me out of my comfort zone, but constantly growing and learning. I encourage everyone to really examine their current situation and know that there are so many options to find happiness, work-life balance, and flexibility.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh wow! This is a fun one! I have volunteered off and on at Zuma’s Rescue Ranch for 8 years now, and it is my “happy place”, so we would head down there for a tour and to love on some of the rescues. My dogs are pretty much my life & I love getting outside, so we would fit in a hike at Hidlebrand Ranch and/or Staunton State Park and morning walks around Belcaro or Wash Park. The cool new multi-sensory experience, Shiki Dreams, is getting ready to reopen, so we would check that out. If we were feeling really adventurous, perhaps a new tattoo at Think Tank. And don’t forget the FOOD!  For pizza, we’d hit up the best in town at Joy Hill on Broadway – their sourdough crust is to die for, and the mountain views from their rooftop deck can’t be beat.  One evening we’d ride our e-bikes over to happy hour for a froze’ at Brightmarten followed by delicious coastal Mexican at Perdida on Historic South Gaylord Street. Breakfast? The best donuts on the planet are in Baker at Parlor Doughnuts. And shopping! Can’t forget the shopping! CLP Jewelry on Broadway has the most beautiful, hand-crafted jewelry, we could get “adorned” with a permanent bracelet and pick up a unique treasure from afar. While there, we would bounce around all of the unique shops and restaurants on South Broadway. Finally, we would wrap up the week with a detox at CYL Sauna Studio and an IV or B12 shot from Elite IV Lounge.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely would not have taken a leap of faith and started up my own virtual R+F franchise if it wasn’t for the love, mentorship, and support of my dear friend, Amanda Kessler. She gave me the confidence I needed to make such a drastic transition from laboratory to the direct sales. Amanda leads by example, is probably the most positive person I know, and never takes herself too seriously. My life has literally taken a 180 since I left corporate America. I treasure all of the flexibility and freedom I have found over these past 8 years with R+F… never missing a softball game or track meet, traveling more than ever before (bye bye, vacation days!), and having the time for my one true passion, riding horses. None of this would be possible if I was still working in pharmaceuticals, and I credit Amanda for introducing me to Rodan + Fields.  If you are one of the few who have not yet tried these life-changing products, I’d love to connect with you!

Website: ebrouillette.myrandf.com

Instagram: @brouiem1 and @milehighskincare

Facebook: @emilymartinbrouillette