In this inspiring episode of A LA LATINA, hosts Claudia Romo Edelman and Cynthia Kleinbaum Milner welcome Teresa Lopez, General Manager of Pureology, Mizani & L'Oreal Technique. With over 20 years of exemplary experience in the beauty industry, Teresa's journey began as a marketing intern at Maybelline New York and has since seen her ascend to high-profile leadership roles across major brands like L'Oréal Paris, Lancôme, Redken 5th Avenue NYC, and Essie Professional. Teresa has a remarkable track record of driving growth and innovation, enhancing brands' creative presence, consumer insights, and digital strategies. Beyond her impressive business accomplishments, she is also a passionate advocate for the beauty profession, serving on the Board of Beauty Changes Lives and committed to championing beauty careers as a first-choice path for aspiring professionals. Key Takeaways: The role of a sponsor: Teresa emphasizes the significance of having a sponsor—someone who will advocate for you, even when the going gets tough. She shares a personal story about her first sponsor who, while initially holding her back for her own growth, ultimately paved the way for her success. Know your competitors: She advises listeners to deeply understand their competitors, even better than they know themselves. This knowledge can serve as a strategic advantage in any professional environment. Navigating microaggressions: Teresa discusses her approach to handling microaggressions at work, offering wisdom on when to confront these issues and when to let them go for the sake of personal peace. Join us for an uplifting conversation filled with actionable advice and empowering stories that will inspire you to embrace your authentic self and thrive in your career! Listen to the extended video version of this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ALaLatinaPodcast/videos Visit our website to nominate yourself or another Latina to be on the podcast: alalatina.com FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS Instagram: @alalatinapodcast Tiktok: @alalatinapodcast Youtube: @alalatinapodcast Facebook: A La Latina Podcast For partnership opportunities, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices