FoundRae is based upon ten Tenets – our guiding principles, or beliefs, that are spiritual cornerstones that define each one of us as well as inspire the next chapter. Our tenets remind us that we can always choose, can always change; we each have free will and agency over our lives.

I’ve gathered this wonderful group of women – my friends Alison Loehnis, Tata Harper, and Brooke Wall - to give us insight into how they amplify the life force inside them - I refer to it as Vivacity. As one of our 10 tenets, I believe that Vivacity inspires living a life rich with exploration, discovery, and learning. It describes the attitude of approaching life with excitement and energy; not doing things halfway or halfheartedly. And in order to be like that, to live with Vivacity - there is implicit risk. You’ve got to put yourself out there. Our objective for tonight’s panel is to inspire and empower you all to harness your Vivacity, energy, and confidence to live life fully, take risks, and embrace your power.

Beth Hutchens, Moderator & Founder of FoundRae

 

Alison Loehnis, Ad interim CEO and President of YOOX NET-A-PORTER, is a fashion-industry visionary with over three decades of experience. Led by a creative eye and sharp business instinct, she is steering YOOX NET-A-PORTER towards an unparalleled online experience for customers and brand partners, achieving global reach and scale for its four online stores.

Brooke Wall is a globally recognized businesswoman and founder of The Wall Group, the agency behind powerhouse fashion and beauty talent like Chris Appleton, Karla Welch, and Kate Young. A pioneer in merging celebrity, commerce, and creativity, Brooke has helped launch brands like NARS and Sheer Blonde by John Frieda, consulted for Chanel and Dior, and was a key figure in the rise of Violet Grey. After selling The Wall Group agency to Endeavor, she continues to shape the industry from both creative and corporate sides.

Tata Harper, founder of Tata Harper Skincare, was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, and began her career in engineering and entrepreneurship before discovering her passion for natural beauty. Inspired by her stepfather’s cancer diagnosis, she dedicated herself to learning everything there was to know about formulating skin care products, green chemistry, ingredient selection and of course about the skin. What started out as an educational exploration into the ingredients of skincare turned into a personal mission to provide 100% natural, results-driven skincare. Flash forward 15 years, Tata Harper still continues to lead the brand as a global power player.

 

Can you please tell me about a time in your life where you took a big risk and how you got yourself over the fear or anxiety in order to actually take that risk?

I was so shy when I was little - I was panicked about speaking in public...I developed little tricks that helped me overcome it... -Tata Harper

Mine would probably be 20 years ago and moving to London - I was such a New Yorker and I was like, ‘I’m going to London’ - I remember I kept thinking ‘look forward, look ahead, don’t start looking sideways’, and my Grandmother said something to me, that wasn’t meant to be deep but it really was, I said ‘I hear it rains all the time’ and she said ‘get an umbrella’... -Alison Loehnis

I definitely take risks everyday, you know coming here was a risk. Leaving Ford Models and starting the Wall Group... -Brooke Wall

How do you know when it’s time to move on? Has there ever been a time in your life when you had to evaluate whether it was time to close the chapter? What were those deciding factors?

Going from what was deemed to be a normal career, to venturing into this wild west of digital... -Alison Loehnis

I think probably one of the biggest things about moving on is that is involves change, and a lot of people are so afraid of change - a lot of people stay in the status quo because of the variables that it takes to make a move...how do you approach change and use it as an opportunity to take advantage of it?... -Tata Harper

Once you own a successful business, you look at it like a child...always thinking what is the next phase, what is the next growth period? Technology was creeping in in 2015-16 and I just felt like where am I going to be able to expand this business in a safe place for the business and the employees?... -Brooke Wall

 

How did you find your passion/purpose and the “thing” that you want to lean into/ pursue?

I’d say what gives me energy is people and product. I am a people-person, I really like building teams, I love being surrounded by people... -Alison Loehnis

I get asked all the time, how do you find that ultimate vision?...I do feel that purpose plays into it because doing something that is greater than yourself will push you through even if you don’t have the self-confidence to go do it...but I also feel it is a combination of things. -Tata Harper

I wouldn’t call myself a people-person but actually that is the business I created...a lot of creative talent I’ve found often envisions themself as someone else, and if you can help get them focused on what they are really gifted with so they can take that gift and become successful with it, that became very fulfilling to me... -Brooke Wall