Jody Cohen, Founder of Cosmoholics Cosmetics

Remember the girl in 7th grade who got caught wearing red lipstick to school? OK, we all remember that girl, but what about the girl whose mother encouraged her to wear red lipstick? That girl, if you were lucky enough to know her then, was Jody Cohen, the now 27 year-old lip gloss maven and Founder of Cosmoholic Cosmetics.

Growing up, Jody learned everything there was to know about cosmetics from her mother, a working make-up artist. After working as a make-up artist herself, and then a style consultant for the Today Show, Jody moved on to retail. Using her combined skill sets, Jody then embarked on a new venture in hopes of solving a nagging cosmetics problem: how to get pigment and shine from one lip product.

The result?  Cosmoholics lip gloss, a non-sticky, pigment-filled lip product that offers the best qualities of both lipstick (pigment), and lip gloss (shine). As an added bonus, she even threw in a lip repairing element. Now 16 months after it’s official launch, Cosmoholics lip gloss can be found in dozens of retail stores, online, and on lips nationwide.

In fact, it’s probably even found it’s way to the 7th grade.

1.  With a background in beauty and fashion, was it challenging learning to be a successful salesperson?  Where did you pick up the business side of retail?

I was born a sales woman! It’s not a skill that one can really acquire.. you either love it and are good at it or you’re not. I’ve worked many sales jobs in cosmetics and fashion in the past and have a true passion for it. My father is an entrepreneur and I learned a great deal from him and as the Retail Recruiter for Scoop NYC stores.

2.  What is it like competing with the cosmetics “giants” who have unlimited access to research and development?

It’s a challenge, but one that I embrace and use as motivation to build the Cosmoholic brand. I strive to create innovative products that aren’t currently on the market and truly believe that Liquid Lipstick is unique.

3.  How have you used your status as a smaller company to work for you as far as marketing and PR?

As far as marketing, up to this point, I have been focusing on boutiques and specialty stores, not department stores. Women always make excuses to buy more lip gloss and Liquid Lipstick are great easy add ons. As far as PR, A few great celebrities become fans early on and that always helps. Beyond that, I have a great product and a great PR agency so that part has been easy.

4. The branding aspect of Cosmoholic immediately caught my eye . What type of response or feeling from the consumer were you hoping to achieve?

I wanted the customer to be immediately drawn to Liquid Lipstick. The bright yellow packaging is fun with a girly vintage feel and women often buy for themselves and as gifts.

5. How important have your connections in the beauty industry (as well as media) been to your successful launch, and what would your advice be to someone without these contacts?

To be honest, I don’t have that many contacts. My past experience has given me credibility and that has helped me more than any contact has. I advise anyone who’s starting a business to be passionate about their product and have no fear!! BE FEARLESS.. and if you’re not, fake it! Persistence is key.

6. Has being a single entrepreneur helped you or hurt you in business and why?

Regardless of your status, starting a company is extremely time consuming and challenging. Being single, I’ve been able to dedicate a lot more time and have a flexible travel schedule which is a huge contributor to my success.  It’s a 24-7, 7 days a week job!

7. Describe the ideal person who would complement both your life and your business.

The ideal person, among many things, would be independent, self sufficient, understanding and supportive of me and my business.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Cosmoholic Cosmetics strives to create beauty products that are innovative, convenient and problem solving all while keeping the everyday woman’s wants and needs in mind. In 10 years,  I hope that Cosmoholic Cosmetics will have additional products and will hold a major spot in the industry.

Jody’s Bio:

Jody started her career in beauty as a makeup artist in New York City, where she worked in TV (as a style consultant for the “Today Show”), in live events, and in magazines.  She knows retail well, too, having worked at Scoop NYC, a high-end, multi-location clothing store, where she fell in love with retail and the business behind the beauty industry.

Jody figured if she could marry her passions- makeup and retail- surely she could marry lipstick and lip gloss.  The idea got addictive, and after working with a team of chemists to create this unique new product, Jody is proud to present the result of her obsession… Cosmoholic Cosmetics, a new line of “liquid lipstick” that goes on like lip gloss but has the real, deep, beautiful pigment of a lipstick.

Want to connect with Jody? Follow her on Facebook or contact Amanda Meyer of Bella Public Relations, Inc. at 212.868.8183.