“I want to teach women to read an ingredient list and actually simply understand, not every ingredient, but what they need to be looking for.”
On this episode of Startups in Stilettos, Ingrid Zapata-Read sits down with Danielle Ruess, founder of Ionian Skincare, to discuss how a personal skincare crisis led her from a successful corporate marketing career to building a science-backed skincare brand focused on education, transparency, and healthy aging.
Danielle shares the story of struggling with an unexplained skin condition in her 40s, discovering the importance of the skin barrier, and developing her own formulations after traditional solutions failed. She also opens up about launching a product-based business, bootstrapping a skincare company, finding mentors through the Entreprenista community, and navigating the steep learning curve of entrepreneurship.
What We Talked About:
A Personal Skin Health Turning Point [1:44]
From Corporate Career to Founder [7:40]
How to Read Skincare Ingredients [17:46]
What Happens to Skin as We Age [24:31]
Advice for Beauty Founders [36:52]
Connect with Danielle:
@eonian_skincare on Instagram
Danielle Ruesson LinkedIn
Connect with Ingrid:
@itsingridsworld on Instagram
Ingrid Zapata-Read on Linkedin
Connect with Carlyn:
@carlynbushmanconsulting on Instagram
Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn
Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the Entreprenista League today! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!
Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos
Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!
Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio
Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.
Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.
Guests
Danielle Ruess
Hosts
Ingrid Zapata Read
Grow With Community
Ingrid Zapata Read is a community strategist and founder of Grow With Community. She helps businesses get closer to the people they serve and build stronger, more intentional relationships around their mission.
After building a global community for moms of over 200,000 members, and through her experience in sales, startups, and customer experience, Ingrid brings a people-first perspective to growth across industries. She’s known for her thoughtful, practical approach and believes community building should be a part of every business strategy.
Join 2,000+ supportive, ambitious founders in the
Highlights
The Latest
Heather Lillico Helps Burnt-Out Founders Rewire Their Nervous Systems
The former nutritionist burnt out building her nutrition business, and the tools that brought her back to calm now anchor her coaching for women founders.
Elizabeth Watson Helps Founders Recover Their Lost Energy
Automate Your Site with a 1-Month Free Trial
Kartra