Wednesday Wonder Woman: Jen Coppin

Jen Coppin is from the United Kingdom.  She was born in Reading Berkshire, England to Caribbean natives from the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She has lived most of her life in New York where she attended the City University system of New York, at York College, and she has attended Columbia University and other private institutions of education.  She believes that learning is an ongoing process throughout life and is vital to the evolution of human existence.  She has earned academic honors including an academic membership to the International Psychology Honor Society, and multiple academic designations which include Cum Laude, Magna, and the Dean’s list.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in general psychology, an MBA degree in business administration with a course of study that includes corporate finance, and accounting.  She also has a double major in Human Resource Management, and certification in Non- Profit Grant writing. 

Jen is the first of her five siblings to graduate from college, and she describes herself as a businesswoman who is very driven.  She believes that people can continuously improve themselves to be better for the greater good of humanity.  Jen currently lives in Columbus, Ohio, and she is the President/ CEO of Kora Beauty Inc. which is a skincare line that she developed to help women feel more confident in the natural appearance of their skin. Jen understands that some women may lack the confidence in the natural appearance of their skin due to discolorations, age spots, and premature aging.  Therefore, she developed the Kora Beauty skincare line to address those issues for women, so that they can use makeup to accentuate their beauty, instead of using makeup to cover up skin issues.  Her company Kora Beauty also provides opportunities for women to earn an income and earn opportunities for higher education by providing scholarships to her beauty consultants. 

Fancy: How would you describe your Swagher? What makes Jen, Jen?

Jen: My swagher is self- motivation, self-determination, perseverance, positivity, immense faith, love, and a dash of humor. I do not accept predetermined constructs which are sometimes used to marginalize people.   I believe that I can do whatever I put my mind, efforts, and actions towards, be it a dream, a goal, or a simple task. My swagher is knowing that I can do all things through Christ and knowing that I define who I am based on what God says.

Fancy: Your degrees are in psychology and business how did you end up working in the beauty industry?

Jen: Yes, I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology with academic honors, and I have a double concentration MBA degree in business.  Business is for the most part about people, and psychology is the study of people’s behavior.  Therefore, for me, these two indispensable disciplines go hand in hand.  After years of working in corporate and other positions, I began my own business in the beauty industry, because it is second nature to me.  As a teenager, family members always wanted me to style their hair, and it wasn’t because they didn’t have money; it was simply because they saw my skill, love, and passion.  Therefore, instead of going to a hairdresser, they requested me to come to their homes or they came to my home to do their hair, makeup, or nails.  I never charged anyone anything. It was simply for the love of it.  As I became an adult, people with whom I’m acquainted also inquired about my skin, my makeup, and my hair.  They are always shocked to know that I continue to do all these things for myself.  I later completed studies in skincare and started my own skincare line.

Fancy: What inspired Kora Beauty?

Jen: Kora Beauty is the name of my skincare line, and it basically derived from my personal need to solve my own skincare problems.  I’ve used many products, and as a consumer, I was just tired of not getting the results that I desired to see in my skin.  Therefore, I started making whipped body butters at home from all-natural ingredients.   After using the products that I created at home, I saw significant changes in the texture and softness of my skin.  I shared my products with family and friends who were always so thankful and always wanted more.  This inspired me to take my innovations to a larger scale to include facial products and begin a commercial website to help others who desire to have flawless skin with products that are affordable and give results.

Fancy: When one says “beauty”, most tend to think of makeup, but I like how you believe in treating, and caring for our skin, instead of covering our problems with makeup.  Is there a reason why you prefer to go to the root of the problem?

Jen: Yes, it is always a good idea to go to the root of a problem, even with skincare.   For example, the foundation that we use in our makeup essentially provides our skin with a little color, perhaps a little cover up, and sunscreen.  However, if the texture of our skin isn’t smooth, the underlying skin issues such as acne at times are still visible under the makeup. Sometimes, the very same products that we use to cover up skin issues, do not really improve our underlying problem.  Instead, some of these products can make the issue worse.  For example, if someone who has acne uses a lot of foundation to cover up, this person can end up clogging their pores, irritating their skin and exacerbating their underlying acne issues.  Therefore, it is best to treat the root of the problem to improve the skin’s condition and overall appearance long term. 

 

Fancy: Being that your parents are from the Caribbean, I’m curious to know if you implement any island skincare secrets to your ingredients?

Jen: Yes!  As the founder of Kora Beauty Skincare, I am very conscious about the ingredients that we use in our skincare products. In the Caribbean, the most common skincare secret is the use of natural products such as coconut, aloe, Shea butter, cocoa butter, etc.  I remember seeing native people making their own homemade coconut oils to put on their skin. The use of aloe for skincare issues is also another skincare secret from the Caribbean.  These fond memories have inspired how I select ingredients such as the Kora Beauty Healthy Glow Serum, which is made with aloe and other natural ingredients to remove skin discoloration.

Fancy: What are some of your top selling products?

Jen: Our top selling product is the Kora Beauty Healthy Glow Anti-aging Antioxidant System.  This product is a favorite, because it is multidimensional and addresses many skincare problems including, acne, discoloration, and it prevents signs of premature aging. Everyone wants smooth and younger looking skin.

Fancy: Do you have Kora Beauty Consultants nationwide, or are they required to be in Ohio?

Jen: Yes, Kora Beauty Independent Consultants are nationwide.  Anyone who resides within the USA who is interested in becoming an independent consultant can participate in our program and earn top commissions on a weekly basis. 

Fancy: I love how you believe in uplifting and empowering others.  Do you have any personal experience where you had to stand on the shoulders of others?

Jen: Absolutely, I am very fortunate to have loving and caring family members who have taken it upon themselves to stand up for me at times.   As a teenager, my mother didn’t want me to go to high school.  She wanted me to work with her in the factory instead.  While other teens attended high school, I worked in the factory with my mother.  We weren’t extremely poor.  My mom just didn’t believe in education.  Thankfully, my aunt stepped in and said, “No that is not right!” Acting out of love and concern, my aunt enrolled me into high school.  That was a pinnacle moment in my life. It changed the turn of events in my life forever.  In that moment, when my aunt, who was an educator, advocated for me to get an education which was denied to us as a people, she allowed me to stand not only on her shoulders, but also on the shoulders of every slave that fought for our right to read and write.  It indeed truly takes a village!

Fancy: Wow! Do you have any events and projects that you care to share?

Jen: I am currently working on my first book that should be out in stores before December 2018. 

Jen believes that the world is made better, when we help others to rise.  In addition to launching the Kora Beauty skincare line, she is currently working on her first self-help book which is designed to help teens through adulthood.  She believes that it is necessary to nurture and provide guidance to help teenagers and young adults, especially through the challenging times in their lives   When Jen isn’t busy working, she enjoys her time with her son, and enjoys being creative with cooking recipes, baking, knitting scarves and hats for her son, sewing and making window valances, DIY household projects, reading and traveling to other countries.

Connect with Jen and Kora Beauty below.  

Kora Beauty website: korabeautyonline.com

Instagram: Kora_beautyonline

Facebook: Jen Coppin / @Korabeautyonline