Doreen Hatcher, Origins VP and General Manager for North America, Fan of Shakeology and Red Valentino   

How many of us who love having great skin scan the beauty products in magazines and on store shelves, wondering if their ingredients are high-quality, if the product will work, or if the miraculous results in glossy spreads are just well-Photoshopped?  Doreen Hatcher, the Vice President and General Manager for Origins, the ultra-natural skincare brand owned by Estee Lauder, never worries about that, such is her faith in the company for which she works.

She is an eclectic mix: she lives in New Jersey, works in New York City, but was born in Athens, Greece, and attended school in Arizona.  She then found her calling early, via her first job, and has never wavered from the retail path: she moved quickly from selling needlepoint supplies to starting work for her present-day employer while still in college – already standing behind the gleaming, often lovely-scented cosmetics counter known to any denizen of department stores, promoting Estée Lauder products, as she does today via its Origins division.

A fan of vegan chocolate Shakeology shakes to get going in the morning, she also recommends Tina Fey’s Bossypants memoir, since readers can find life lessons mixed in with a good sense of humor, which she feels is important. She also praises the chairman emeritus of her company, Leonard Lauder, for his flawless professional manners and instinctive knowledge of how to reach how to workers to make them feel special – a practice that she has tried to adopt in her current role overseeing such a vast staff for a worldwide brand.

Can you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?
I am an ambitious, goal-oriented businesswoman working in Manhattan, in the beauty industry, for the  Fortune 500 company of Origins, which is owned by Estée Lauder.  I live in Hoboken, NJ, and am also a mother of a two-year old boy.   

What does a day in your shoes typically look like?
My morning starts off in flip-flops, as I hop on the ferry from Hoboken and head to midtown Manhattan to the Estée Lauder Companies Corporate Offices. I review emails that came in overnight on the commute in to the office, and then respond accordingly.

Once I get to the office, I switch into “big girl” shoes, and prepare for my day. I start by greeting the team, and then dive into the calendar events for that day, which could include anything from a finance review to a retailer presentation, to a staff meeting to corporate meetings, to an interview — or any combination thereto.

What 2-3 things do you do to prepare yourself before work, and is there anything you try to accomplish every day?
I try to get at least thirty minutes of exercise every morning to jump-start my day, then I pack my lunch, and while I’m applying my Origins skincare and makeup — such as Dr. Weil Treatment Lotion, Plantscription foundation and Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Eye Cream — I think about what I want to accomplish or change for the day.

What is your breakfast of choice?
Shakeology. It gives the perfect mix of vitamins and nutrients to jump-start my day while feeling energized. My personal favorite is the vegan chocolate!

What are your rituals or tips for staying energized and motivated?
Get up and walk around, or go out for some fresh air if you feel your energy lapsing during the day.

What is the favorite part of your job?
It’s working with the amazing team at Origins. While I am sure everyone says “the people” in response to this question, the Origins team is truly special and the brand philosophy unique. There is such a rich history, and I get to work with many players who were instrumental in the brand in the early years, and deeply rooted in the traditions of giving back to our communities.

Additionally, creating high-performance natural skincare that is powered by nature and proven by science is so inspiring, and our long-standing commitment to protecting the planet and its resources — and all those who populate it — is reaffirmed by our earth- and animal-friendly practices. I also get to nurture and grow the younger members of the team. A very fulfilling aspect of my job, I have to say! 

What and who inspires you at work?
My team. I am eager to teach them every day what I’ve learned — but I also learn so much from them. Here at Origins, we are lucky to work with members who have such different professional backgrounds, but also come from different countries and cultures, and age brackets — young and “forever young.” That is so important for me, as I am such a people-oriented person. I am willing to learn new things every day from other people — seeing things with different eyes, or drawing from people who have different point of views.

Also, working for a brand that has different programs to help communities and the environment inspires me as well.  In partnership with the American Forests’ Global ReLeaf and other local organizations, the brand launched the Plant-A-Tree program to aid reforestation projects around the world; to date, Origins has planted over 500,000 trees and counting! That really fosters my ongoing sense of respect for the company.

Do you have a ‘Power Outfit’ that you wear for a big meeting or important work event?
I love all things Red Valentino. They are professional with a flair, combining luxury and modern fashion.

What is your favorite leisure activity after a stressful workweek?
Spending time with my two-year-old son. To see the wonder and amazement in his face takes away any stress the week could possibly bring!

How does your culture/background influence your work?
The different roles and responsibilities I have embraced over the years have really shaped me into a result-oriented, innovative professional individual. I am passionate about what I do, and give 100% of myself into everything I do in my work.

How many times have you changed your career direction?
None. I have spent my entire career in retail, on both the retailer and wholesale side.

What are your most steadfast ‘don’ts’ rules regarding work and the workplace, and what are your most cherished ‘do’s’?
Identifying the problem and offering solutions and several ways it can be fixed. It’s too simple in this day and age to report the news, and “tell” what the issues are. The best people come armed with ways to fix it.

What are the most important qualities of a good leader?
A good leader leads with heart, and from the heart. They are focused on doing what is best for the people, and the customer, and motivating the people around them every day.

What are the unforgettable traits of role models who have inspired you most?
All of my role models have been strong individuals that have been iconic in the retail industry — but they also have a human side, one that makes you know they care about you as an individual.

How have mentors impacted your personal and professional development?
I learned from great mentors such as Mr. Leonard Lauder [currently the chairman emeritus of Estée Lauder]. He knew how to motivate, and inspire, and be connected. After every visit, I got a personal note that related to something about my career and me, a note that I always cherished. For example, when I was being re-located to Dallas, Texas to become the point person for Neiman Marcus, Mr. Lauder sent me a note congratulating me, and telling me to take good care of “his baby.” How he remembers these things, I‘ll never know, but I make it a point to send as many personal notes out to my teams after I’ve been to their markets. 

What are three questions you like to ask during an interview to know if the candidate (or job) is the right fit?
With customer service virtually being a lost art, I aspire for Origins to give customers a richer experience, so I always ask a candidate to tell me what their best customer experience was, and why and how they believed they could replicate that experience into the culture and environment of Origins. I want to make sure they can create a fun, warm and playful environment to encourage discovery; they have to have an outgoing and engaging personality, and must enjoy selling and providing outstanding client experiences.

Also, I always ask what a candidate is most proud of. You can see what gets them up and going in the morning from this question, and whether they make the best fit for Origins.

My last question is “What is something that you would change, and why?”  This one is always very interesting — at any organization I have been with, honesty is vital. We all make mistakes or have things we would have wanted to do better, and what makes us better is acknowledging them.

What advice would you give to women starting their careers?
My mom always told me that I could do or be anything I wanted, so I never limited myself. I left myself open to new opportunities and always, always stayed positive. Sometimes just thinking you can, means you can.

What book would you recommend for women just starting their career?
Bossypants by Tina Fey.  You get to share her life, dreams, fears and success with someone who knows how to laugh at herself, which is always a great quality to have!

What is your favorite quote you try and live by?
“I’ve never dreamed about success, I’ve worked for it.” – Mrs. Estée Lauder