My self confidence grew because of a makeup box
I wanted to take a moment to share a little bit about my journey and express my heartfelt gratitude for the unexpected but incredible role IPSY played in helping me rediscover myself. I feel I need to let you know just how much you help me.
When I was young, I had a dream job as a TV anchor connecting with people and sharing stories that mattered. But as I got older, the industry deemed me “too old” for viewing, and I had to shift into more technical roles. Little by little, I started to feel invisible—not just to others, but to myself. I lost faith in my abilities and allowed that feeling to take root.
When COVID hit, like so many others, I wanted to find a way to help. I remembered the years I spent teaching communication skills and mindfulness at the College of Westchester, encouraging people to find calm in their busy lives. Inspired by that, I took a leap and started a podcast called Bedtime Stories for Adults. It felt like such a huge step out of the shadow I’d been living in, but I knew I had to do something meaningful.
It was during this time that my daughter, social media influencer Niki Crow, asked me to be in one of her videos to review the subscription bag. I didn’t feel confident being in front of the camera and I thought it showed. So when IPSY reached out I thought they were going to ask for the video to be edited but they didn’t.
Instead, they gifted me a RODE microphone and makeup, tools that became symbols of something much bigger than just podcasting gear. I regained my confidence and started a podcast to help others during the worst of the COVID period. My podcast quickly rose to the top 2.5% of the most-listened-to podcasts globally, something I never could have imagined when I first hit “record.”
Your makeup, believe it or not, taught me something profound. Beauty comes from the inside, but learning how to apply makeup made me feel more confident on the outside—and I was doing it for me, not for anyone else. It was a simple, powerful reminder that how we present ourselves can reflect the love and care we feel for ourselves inside. And I believe this newfound positive energy reflected in my podcast and helped to make it a success.
Your support gave me the confidence to embrace my creativity again. I wanted you to know all this because IPSY’s kindness was a spark that reignited my belief in myself, my voice, and my purpose. You reminded me that I didn’t have to be invisible—that I could step forward and make a difference.
