RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE JENNIFER HARPER
Jennifer harper
Firstly introduce yourself and tell us where your home place is. Describe your job/jobs in just under four sentences. Please also provide your title and profession.
My name is Jenn Harper I am an Ojibwe woman from St. Catharines Ontario. I am the founder of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC. a digitally native colour cosmetics brand on a mission to help every Indigenous youth see their enormous value in the world.
What sparked your interest to work in this industry?
It wasn’t the industry. This industry was an avenue to build something about supporting Indigenous youth. I literally had a dream in 2015, to make lip-gloss and start a foundation in my Grandmother name, a residential school survivor.
What do you enjoy most about your profession?
I get to do good work everyday that is about empowering Indigenous youth, living my dream, literally!
What educational preparation would you recommend for someone who wants to advance in this field?
I did terrible in school, I have a high school diploma and a couple certificates thereafter. If you could teach drive and tenacity, I would recommend that. I do believe the hardest work anyone should do is on themselves, become a lifetime learner. Read more books!
What does success look like to you for Indigenous youth?
Happiness and joy! This brings me back to the dream I had in 2015, in my dream these Native little were covered in lip-gloss and they were laughing and so so happy. That is what I want for every one of them.
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
I love failure, it has taught me so much and that not giving up is the key to small wins!
Do you volunteer? If so, where and why is that important to you?
I am an social entrepreneur, I did this work while working full -time job for over 3 years, a mother of two children , a wife and volunteer in my community. It is important to show my kids the joy in serving others and the satisfaction it brings to your life.
What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Rising Strong Brene Brown
In the last year, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?
Remembering the power of physical fitness and healthy foods, never cut it out of the schedule. I let that happen in 2019, I won’t again.
What are some challenges you think the next Indigenous generation will face in your industry/profession?
Remembering the power of physical fitness and healthy foods, never cut it out of the schedule. I let that happen in 2019, I won’t again.
What advice would you give to a smart, driven student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore?
There is no replacement for hard work.
Ignore everything that distracts you from your greatness, social media, people, things. The ‘air’ of the world around us, meaning the definitions of success and materialism etc. Define your own happiness, you will feel it and it doesn’t come from stuff!
Miigwetch!