Jenn Harper, Founder, Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC
What was the inspiration for your business?
Over the last ten years, I knew I wanted to do something to support my Indigenous community. In 2014, I got sober after years of alcohol abuse and the next year I had a dream and woke up at 2 AM with a plan. I knew I wanted to make lip gloss and sell my product to create scholarships for First Nations youth. Fast forward to January 2016 and after many business advisory boards and thousands of hours of work, Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC was born! We donate 10% of all profits to FNCFS (First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada), more specifically, Shannen’s Dream. To take our contributions one step further, this year we decided to sell a ‘Lip Kit’ with 100% of the profits going to FNCFS to empower Indigenous youth.
How is your business making a difference in the community?
Aside from the funds we’ve donated, we want to make a positive impact on Indigenous youth any way we can. We support our local school board by sharing our story about resilience with them, and how social enterprise is an important business model. Indigenous and non-Indigenous people throughout North America have embraced our brand. At one of my first speaking opportunities, a young lady with long blonde hair and blue eyes came up to me with tears streaming down her cheeks. She said “I am Metis, I have never told anyone. Your story has inspired me to connect to my roots and do something to help.” I realized at that moment the power of Cheekbone Beauty. My years of shame will help others to release their shame and together we can change the narrative about Indigenous people.
How is your culture reflected in your business strategy? Why is this important?
After my recovery, I had to rebuild my life. I needed a new foundation. I truly believe every business succeeds when it is built with a solid set of principles. That way any future decisions can be made easily. Because Cheekbone Beauty was built to empower Indigenous youth, every decision is based on that, as well as integrity, compassion, empathy, and love. I like to call these Indigenous values. My people historically have done everything based on our love for the land, we have always nurtured and cared for everything and everyone. Cheekbone Beauty uses this value system. We need to teach our next generations how to bring this back.