When you have the opportunity to ask some of the most interesting people in the world about their lives, sometimes the most fascinating answers come from the simplest questions. The Thrive Questionnaire is an ongoing series that gives an intimate look inside the lives of some of the world’s most successful people.
Thrive Global: What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed?
Bobbi Brown: I have an espresso, read the NY Post and NYT headlines and Instagram.
TG: What gives you energy?
BB: Working out. Even if it’s just taking a walk first thing in the morning, anytime I raise my heart rate I feel better and more energized.
TG: What’s your secret life hack?
BB: Vodka on the rocks.
TG: Name a book that changed your life.
BB: Breaking Night from Homeless to Harvard by Liz Murray.
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?
BB: I leave my phone downstairs, charging to avoid any late-night phone calls usually from a family member. I do use my iPad at night – usually for scrolling Instagram or researching an article I flagged during the day. I’m unusual, it actually helps me to fall asleep.
TG: How do you deal with email?
BB: I answer most of them myself by flagging the ones I need to respond to or I forward them to my team depending on the nature of the email. I like to keep a clean inbox and get back to people as soon as possible. My assistant prints out the emails I flag once a week and I write notes for her on how to respond. So old school.
TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it?
BB: I organize something in my house. it helps relax me and keep me feeling sane and in control.
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
BB: Now. I am currently launching 3 companies simultaneously. So much for taking it easy. However, I just booked a 7 day, spa trip!
BB: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
TG: When I left the brand, I experienced a ton of emotions – including failure to do what I thought was the right thing. After 2 days of tequila, I bounced back with pep talks from my husband, close friends, and Mickey Drexler.
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
BB: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” – Yogi Berra
Bobbi Brown is a beauty industry titan, world renowned makeup artist, best-selling author, sought-after speaker and serial entrepreneur. Initially a professional makeup artist, Bobbi created her own line of makeup Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, turning the brand into a global makeup empire. She has written nine books ranging from makeup and wellness, to confidence. Since leaving her namesake company in 2017, Brown has launched a lifestyle company that celebrates all things wellness, from the products we choose, to the foods we eat. Armed with years of success as an artist, author, and entrepreneur, she has developed justBOBBI and Evolution_18, a new platform and line of ingestible products designed to bring a lifetime of expertise into the hands of all.