Interview with Lisa VanBockern, Owner, Skin Script
Interviewed by John Leach, Business Communications Major, Alumni Career Services Peer, Marketing and Events
Each year, the ASU Alumni Association selects 100 leading Sun Devils who own or lead successful, innovative businesses across the globe and demonstrate innovation, growth and entrepreneurial spirit. Today, we're highlighting Lisa VanBockern, Owner of Skin Script, who graduated from ASU in 1998 with degrees in Accountancy and Computer Information Systems! Make sure to check out her website at skinscriptrx.com!
Tell me about yourself: Name, major, grad year, what were you involved in, etc
Lisa VanBockern, Dual major of Accountancy and CIS in 1998. I was involved in Beta Alpha Psi and DISC clubs.
Everyone starts their journey with a plan for the future. How much did your path change from your initial idea of where you’d end up?
Hee, hee. You never end up where you think, do you? I started as an Ernest & Young Software Consultant. I started with SAP and moved into Siebel. I didn’t find my true fit (or my passion) in software and left the industry completely. I had saved some funds and was able to take some time off from work to reflect. I was presented with an opportunity to become part of a med spa with my sister, Trish Gulbranson. At the time I said “what’s a med spa?” After learning about the industry, I was so excited that I got an aesthetician license and started working full time in the med spa as the accountant, office manager, and the aesthetician. I loved it! I found my passion and the history goes from there as I started my own skin care line called Skin Script.
If you could go back and do it all again to get where you are now, what would you change?
Nothing. I think our choices in life determine our paths. I found my path and I wouldn’t change a thing about my past.
If a Sun Devil came up to you asking for advice and you only had a few minutes to give them your best tip, what would you tell them?
Get involved in clubs and social events and friends. ASU is such a beautiful campus and there are so many opportunities there. Go to your professor’s office and talk to them and get to know them; they will be a key resource in finding good internships for you. Ensure you get into Career Services; there are so many great opportunities after you graduate so be aware of them and plan early to meet the recruiters.
What were some unexpected lessons you learned on the way to your current position?
Be prepared for a lot of obstacles in life. Your goals should be fluid because something else ALWAYS comes up that will be an obstacle; but there’s always a better plan ahead. When Plan A fails, there’s got to be a Plan B, because failure is never an option.
Who do you look up to, and who/what inspired you to do what you do?
Mentors in the industry that I’ve had the great opportunity to have lunch with and hear their stories. However, I look up to my customers/fellow aestheticians; they believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. There was a lot of fear starting my own business and my own skin care line in the midst of some big heavy hitters in this industry. My customers listened and supported me. I was kind of shocked at first. I thought they’d throw me out.
Some people read 2 books a week, some people wake up at 4:00am. What’s your secret to success?
That happened quite a bit in the beginning, but not so much anymore. The bible was always on my desk (and still in my bookshelf); specifically Robert Schuller’s The Possibility Thinkers Bible. When times were slow (which they were in the beginning), I read a lot from the bible and even framed some of the inspirations I got from that bible. Otherwise, I loved industry books, such as acne, rosacea, ingredient books. When I look back to my bookshelf, I found “Women’s Guide to Becoming a Millionaire”. I guess that one worked.
What ASU resources did you use during/after your time as a Sun Devil, and how did they help you? What resources did you WISH you used?
Professors, career counselors and business clubs. I think I used them all. I was very happy when I graduated.
How do you practice a healthy work-life balance?
Are you kidding? I own a business. It’s difficult to practice a healthly work-life balance as I rarely take vacations. However, my hobbies are cooking, working out and flowers. I feel it’s a healthy lifestyle. I do like to take classes, such as cooking classes or nutrition classes one to two times per year.
How do you de-stress when not working?
Working out. Otherwise, I’m a private person so I enjoy my time at home with my husband, my dog and tending my flowers.
Learn more about Lisa and the other Sun Devil 100 here.