Amy Liu, the founder and CEO of Tower 28, is always thinking differently. Her Los Angeles-based beauty brand, Tower 28, makes products for sensitive skin that are effective and fun to use - something that was missing in the world of beauty. She also thinks differently about how to build teams and engage with them in more meaningful ways.
When she attended her first Defy Venture event, at the recommendation of a close friend, she knew immediately she wanted to go again, and with her team in tow. “What stood out to me in that first event was that we are so much more similar to one another than we are different,” Liu said. “I left feeling energized by the day and wanted to share it with my team.”
One exercise that stood out was Step to the Line. In this event, volunteers and prison participants stand on opposite sides of a line. They are asked to step forward if a statement applies to them. The statements range from education, parents in the home, exposure to violence at an early age and more. “Step to the Line made me realize two things. First, life is a lottery. Some people are born into lives with greater advantages, and others are born with a metaphorical hand behind their back. It’s beyond our control. The second thing you realize is that there is a commonality to the human experience. We are more alike than we are different.”
Although some team members were reluctant to volunteer, it ended up being a meaningful experience for everyone involved. Liu points to the Step to the Line exercise as one that increases empathy among team members. “You learn things about your team that you wouldn’t otherwise. We all have difficulties and struggles in our lives, but you often keep these experiences out of the workplace. The day cracked us all open a little bit and created deeper empathy for each other."
One thing she wanted her team to experience through the event was a shift in perspective. “My team consists of a lot of young women with a passion for beauty. I wanted them to see that no matter their age or professional experience, they could each make a difference in a person’s life.” The day of volunteering also gave Liu a shift in perspective. “Through this experience, you’re able to help someone else.”
Some people may be surprised that a beauty brand would choose to spend their time in a prison, but Liu sees parallels. “Beauty is about becoming the best version of yourself. It can also be a tool of transformation. Defy shares a similar promise. We can all strive to become better versions of ourselves. Sometimes you just need a little help.”