Jessica Matlin is the beauty director at Harper's Bazaar and co-host and co-founder of Fat Mascara, the podcast about beauty. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and cat, Janetta. Jessica has been working in the beauty industry for 20 years, interning throughout college, and has always been obsessed with the business. She is also a huge animal advocate and spends some of her free time volunteering with the animal charity City Critters. Read below to see how Jessica has paved her own path in the beauty industry. 

Occupation:
Beauty director at Harper's Bazaar and co-host and co-founder of Fat Mascara.

Why do you do what you do?
I've always loved the glamour and creativity of the beauty industry, but moreover, how accessible it was. One could go to the counter or a spa and access a world that if done well, could inspire the same feeling of pampering and care that purchasing a $10,000 dress might give you. Also, the people in the beauty business are some of the most brilliant I've ever met: from makeup artists who can transform your look, to plastic surgeons who can rebuild your self-image, I'm truly in awe of the talent I get to meet every day.

What was your dream job at 10 years old?
I knew I wanted to be in the fashion and beauty business.

If you could have anyone's job, whose job would you choose and why?
I'm not sure the perfect job exists anymore - I think you need to be creative and carve your own path.

What is one thing people out side of your industry get wrong about your job?
That beauty editors test products and treatments all day. If only!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
10 years ago, people weren't really talking about podcasts. Now I'm hosting Fat Mascara. It's hard to say what will happen 10 years from now, because media is changing so quickly.

What has been your biggest career struggle so far?
My biggest career struggle has probably been staying focused on what I'm good at. As media changes, it's tempting to want to focus your energies across lots of different platforms and do everything or be all things to all people, but that's not realistic. I think it's important to lean into what my strengths are and invest my time and energy in that, versus trying to be a little bit of everything.

What about your biggest career win?
Fat Mascara: we created an entirely new platform to talk about beauty and share brand stories. At the same time, we've grown a community of thousands who not only love the show, but are connected with each other.

What's the best piece of career advice you've received?
Don't worry about other people - stay in your lane, and keep going .

And the worst?
Your boss won't appreciate you doing outside projects. (I think the person who told me that was just being cautious and trying to make sure I didn't rock the boat at work, but at the same time, I think is a time to make sure you definitely have something else going on outside of the office. It's good for you, and will set you apart!)

What are you most proud of?
My work relationships and Fat Mascara.

Who motivates you the most?
I feel the same way about the business that I did when I was about 11, 12: I want to be a part of it. I want to talk to the best people. And, of course, I want to bring the most exciting news to my listeners and readers. I approach the industry as both an authority but also as a fan, and that's what keeps me going.

What advice do you have for those looking for a career in your field?
Seek the advice of people in positions that you'd like to be in, but make the most of their time. Don't just ask for broad advice; ask pointed questions or, if appropriate, a real favour.

When do you feel the most confident?
When I'm given autonomy.

How do you relax?
I love to get spa treatments (massages and facials are my favourite), but I also love chilling at home with my husband and cat, watching a movie, eating really good food. (My husband is a great cook!)

LIGHTNING ROUND

Currently coveting: a new bed frame. I want to turn my bedroom into the ultimate cozy zone. 

Favourite way to sweat: Soul Flow Yoga at Equinox. The instructor, Leo Rising, is the best yoga teacher I ever had.

Favourite book: I love Augusten Burroughs. His writing makes me laugh. He's so terrible but honest.

Morning bird or night owl? Neither. 4pm is probably my best. Dying to be a morning person, though.

Favourite '90s jam: so many! A couple: Unbelievable by EMF is pretty solid for me.

Favourite city: London - easy.

Spirit animal: cat

Get in touch with Jessica!
Instagram: @jessicamatlin
Twitter: @jessicamatlin
LinkedIn: Jessica Matlin

​​Know anyone that would be great to feature in the #LadiesWhoHustle series? Connect with me on Instagram to nominate them - or yourself! ​​

Athena Brensberger was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. With a background in astrophysics, she conducted research on Proto-Planetary Disks at the Hayden Planetarium while starting her career in modelling. Athena felt like she was living two lives, the catwalk by day and the telescope by night. She was a runway-strutting, astrophysics researching human that felt like no mentor could prepare her for what laid ahead. Read below to see how Athena has navigated in her career and how she's managed to balance all her passions.

Occupation:
Model, actor, TV host, and science communicator.

Why do you do what you do?
It's very important to communicate the advancement of science to the public. To explain to people that don't entirely understand how things work in our modern-tech world in a way where they can understand and be excited about it all. In turn, this creates a society that is driven towards human advancement. The further we advance as a species, the closer we get to solving problems that we face today like disease, population growth and environmental changes.

What was your dream job at 10 years old?
To be a dancer.

If you could have anyone's job in the world, whose job would you choose and why?
None. I don't really believe in "jobs" per say. I believe in doing bold things, taking big risks and working for yourself. I think working WITH people is important, but not FOR people. The idea of superiority should only be applied when an educational aspect is present, which sometimes is in the job force, but not often enough. I learn more when I have mentors rather than "bosses". I'd rather be the CEO of my own company than be the manager under someone else.

What is one thing people outside of your industry get wrong about your job?
Well, since I'm in multiple industries, A LOT. People outside modelling think we just play dress-up all day long, and those outside the TV industry think I'm filming every day. Those outside of the YouTube world think all I do is film myself in a selfie mode all day and those outside of science think I know everything in the world and that they will never be smart enough to compare or have a conversation with me.

People sometimes think those in the scientific community are closed off all the time and think we're better than everyone, but most of the time, we want to share and exchange knowledge with what we know and more importantly, what we DON'T know. We love to learn and can do so from absorbing others knowledge.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I haven't a clue. With a family. And I have no idea what my day to day will be.

What has been your biggest career struggle so far?
Mastering just one thing.

And what about your biggest career win?
Filming for the science channel.

What's the best piece of career advice you've received?
Test something out and if it works, great, if it doesn't, go elsewhere.

What about the worst piece of career advice?
Go for consistency.

What are you the most proud of?
My faith in God.

Who motivates you the most?
My best friend Anika Ahmed. She is the one person out of everyone I know that I have the deepest soul connection with. So, whether I'm watching her be the successful and powerful woman that she is, or listening to her words of encouragement that she gives me when I'm low, I can sky rocket to space when I'm around her. She has this magical essence about her that motivates me to be something incredible, to live fearlessly and she always knows how to remind me of my worthiness to the world when I feel completely worthless. She is my backbone and she gives me strength when I'm all out and running on empty.

What advice do you have for those looking for a career in your field?
Do research. Know what you are getting into. Then, be fearless and jump into it with all intentions of succeeding. When you fail, because it will happen, many, many times, let your feet do the leading and follow wherever the hell they go. Really. Even if you do this literally. Open your mind to the universe giving you the pathway and exit your door with an open mind and no plans, and just feel where you are called to. Left, right, into a store, out of the train... waste DAYS doing this. Because none of it will actually be a waste at all. Find yourself. This is how you figure out who you are, what your limits are and where you want to go.

When do you feel the most confident?
When I am surrounded by thousands of people. There's something about the crowd that CHALLENGES me to STAND OUT. It's like someone dares me to be confident and to push my shoulders back and say NONE OF YOU CAN GET THROUGH ME. I think growing up in NYC did this to me. And I love it.

How do you relax?
Deep breathing, preferably with lavender and tea tree oil. I love binaural beats or meditation music to help relax me.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Currently coveting: going to space.

Favourite way to sweat: a sweat session at ShapeHouse.

Favourite book: How to Win Friends and Influence People.

Morning bird or night owl? Morning.

Favourite '90s jam: Wanna Be by the Spice Girls.

Favourite city: Seoul, South Korea.

Spirit animal: a mythical flying Dragon.

Get in touch with Athena!
Website: astroathens.com
Instagram: @astroathens
Twitter: @astroathens

​​Know anyone that would be great to feature in the #LadiesWhoHustle series? Connect with me on Instagram to nominate them - or yourself! ​​