Forty Over 40

Forty Women to Watch Over 40

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Forty Over 40 Asks: 11Qs for Rachel Weiss, VP of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at L’Oreal

aWelcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. We frequently spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.

This Q & A is with Rachel Weiss, the VP of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at L’Oreal.  Rachel is innovating her field of work by currently being responsible for digital marketing and innovation strategy focusing on mobile, social, content and disruptive technologies across all of L’Oreal USA.

1) What was a pivotal moment of reinvention for you?

Getting laid off in early 2000 and being so poor I got a temp job handing out fliers on the street.

2) Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

My former coworker James Hewitt. He and I worked together at three different companies (Sony, Citigroup and the failed start-up I mention above) and he took care of me when times were tough. Plus, I have learned so much from him and he’s like family to me now.  He’s given me advice and coaching I’ve used over the past 20 years.

3) What is your biggest goal right now?

Being healthy. I have been so focused on my career, I lost track of my own well-being. I’ve  been watching what I eat and exercising and it’s helping me be  happier, more focused and productive.  

4) How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?

I go to St. Lucia once a year to a wellness resort. I unplug there.

5)  What’s the best networking contact you’ve made? How did you make it?

Joe Medved from Lerer Hippeau Ventures. We met years ago in a limo going to Salt Lick BBQ during SXSW and I told him my dream of launching a program for L’Oreal and he helped me meet people, host events and has taught me so much about the start-up world and investing. I can’t thank him enough.  We actually met because he has a portable cell phone charger which was a big luxury at the time. He’s one the smartest and greatest men I know.

6) What challenge / achievement are you most proud of?

I’m proud of launching the L’Oreal Women in Digital program five years ago and watching the entrepreneurs I’ve met grow their businesses, get married and have kids and mentor a next generation. I’m so proud of those women.

7) What was the last business book you read? 

Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist  written by Brad Feld

8) What cause do you most want to advance?

Equal pay for equal work.

9) What song can’t you get out of your head? 

I’m obsessed with the entire Alexander Hamilton soundtrack like a 5 year old obsessed with Frozen.

10)  What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

My grandmother told me “Wherever you go, you take yourself.” I always think about that.

11) What is your secret indulgence? 

Going to Broadway theater on my own after work. I leave work, go to TKTS and catch a show my myself.

Check out Rachel Weiss’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!

Whitney Johnson

Whitney Johnson

Whitney is the author of the acclaimed Dare, Dream, Do: Remarkable Things Happen When You Dare to Dream. She has been named on numerous Smart Thinkers and People to Follow lists by major media such as Inc. Magazine, Business Insider and Huffington Post and is quoted in Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fast Company, Forbes and more.
Whitney Johnson