Authenticity and kindness are essential to long-term success. Equipped with these attributes, Radical Skincare Co-founder Liz Edlich ranks them high in what has propelled her success. In this latest Interview with Influential Women, Liz highlights the people that have helped her along her journey and discusses the steps you need to take to ensure your next chapter of life is one you desire.
Please give my readers a short background on your personal journey that brought you to today.
We approach skincare and life the same way, radically. As daughters of Dr. Richard F. Edlich MD-PhD (world renowned Professor of Plastic Surgery), we worked in his lab and burn unit at the University of Virginia. Before the age of ten, we were exposed to the science of skin rejuvenation at extreme levels. Since then, we have been inspired by our dad to be radical and go above and beyond, as he changed the landscape of medicine from his wheelchair with multiple sclerosis.
It was part of our DNA that we ended up in the skin care industry in Los Angeles. For 15 years, we created over 100 products for celebrities and others. But when it became personal, we had to get radical. With Rachel developing Rosacea after her second child and gravity taking its toll on our skin, we decided to do something about it.
We challenged our chemists and after perfecting it and trialing it, we found it.
After scooping the product out of lab in sample bottles and labeling them with magic markers, we gave this youth elixir to our friends as party favors. This experiment transformed our skin and the skin of our friends. Given our family heritage and life-long mission to make a radical difference, we were compelled to share radical skincare with others.
Just like there is a technology for creating the strongest skincare that can soothe sensitive skin, there is a technology for creating a life you love. It is with that commitment that we have been traveling around the world sharing our life- changing skincare and coaching woman on creating a life that they love. Delivering radical results and nothing less in life is our mission.
Who are your top 3 female role models, and what about each inspires you?
My Mother: I am inspired by her ultimate kindness… her quiet strength to have stayed by my father’s side and watch his degeneration with MS for 40 years, selfless dedication to her kids, and love of music and people. She always supported the underdog and those that cannot take care of themselves.
Yvette Mimeux: As an all-time beauty, actress and force to be reckoned with, Yvette, “Tinkerbell” as I call her, is an activist for joy, travel, animals, food and life experiencing every moment and making it beautiful. Her artistic eye casts a poetic hue of vibrant color, exotic tastes and laughter that make every moment a celebration. I carry this nature with me and work to breathe the same spirit into each one of my moments.
My Sister: There are no words. It just is.
I am lucky. I collect people. I have many mentors and friends that I learn from, and I take the best of them with me.
Dyan Cannon: for teaching me unconditional love and faith.
Cynthia Kersey: for her loving energy and giving.
Maria Price: for mentoring and molding me from 19 to 31 in the business world to help me operate within structure, although I still can be a bull in a china shop. 🙂
Melanie Griffith: for her loving generosity.
Goldie Hawn: for her grace and laughter.
Shawn Taddey: for her generosity, magical expression and embracing passion.
Eva Vapori: for her joy and laughter.
Baroness Scotland: for her humility with purpose and driven spirit.
Really, the list is much longer. Each person left his or her imprint and special footprint. And on life’s journey, it is wonderful to draw from them to become a better me.
P.S. there is a very long list of men as well.
What are the 3 most important things women need to do or consider when charting their next chapter of life, whenever that may be for them?
First, it is important to identify your passion and what lights you up. It may be different at different times in your life. Passion and purpose are great indicators of a direction that you should explore to achieve success and happiness in whatever stage that you are in.
Second, set clear goals and have a vision of what lights you up. Being able to see the image of what you want is important to get emotionally involved, providing you with the energy to create it.
Third, have a radical dream team around you that see your possibility and support your journey. Don’t be afraid of failing; be terrified of not trying, says Baroness Patricia Scotland (Attorney General of England).
As we progress through life, we get the gift of perspective and realize that every moment counts. No excuses; no regrets.
Experiencing life, people, places and things is the spice that guarantees a rich life well lived.
What are the 3 most important things you do (or did) that contribute to your success?
One: I am incredibly tenacious. I will persevere in the extreme, if I am on a purposeful mission that matters. This has served me and hurt me at times, as I have achieved regardless of the adversity before me and hung on too long when I should have let go.
Two: I am an optimist. I see what is possible, not what isn’t. I always think of how to go over, under and around to get where I need to go. I see a better, brighter day and believe that people are basically good. As my mom would say, “We are all doing our best at any given time” (as long as my hormones are in line 🙂 if they are off – no telling)
Three: I am a risk taker and willing to make mistakes. That has been a real gift.
Four (if I may add one more): I am authentic and kind. I think that these are two very important factors in creating success, happiness and fulfillment. People feel it, and it moves them. You feel good when you practice both, and it moves you.
Who is the most influential women in your life?
Liz Edlich brings an extensive career in financial management, capital sourcing, product development, production and market strategy to her position at Radical Skincare.
Edlich’s cultivation of relationships with top investment managers and funds led her to become Managing Director of Heritage Asset Management, where she took the firm from $68 million to $500 million in assets under management during a three-year period before advising and brokering the sale of Heritage Asset Management to a third party. As a private investment banker and strategic business consultant, she was involved in numerous public and private business transactions. She has spent the last 15 years of her career in the Direct Marketing and skincare business at her company One World Live, developing over 100 products for celebrities and influencers. While at One World, Edlich focused on corporate strategy while managing product and company acquisitions, celebrity relations, commercial production and closely collaborating on product development and packaging.
Edlich’s career has also been defined by her commitment to giving back. Throughout her life, Edlich has volunteered her time and resources to advance important causes. From working with burn victims and developmentally disabled youths to children with facial deformities with Operation Smile in LA and in Africa; seeing her father through Multiple Sclerosis Rehab to working with the American Heart Association, Edlich has always been dedicated to making a difference in peoples’ lives.