Women Of The C-Suite: Kim McIver Of Sugarlash PRO & Sugarlash Society On The Five Things You Need To Succeed As A Senior Executive
An Interview With Vanessa Morcom
Continuous Learning: In this fast-changing world, ongoing learning will help you stay ahead of the game.
As a part of our interview series called “Women Of The C-Suite”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Kim McIver.
With an illustrious career spanning over a quarter-century in the dynamic realm of the beauty industry, Kim McIver has emerged as the new CEO at the helm of Sugarlash PRO, and its newly-launched consumer focused product line Sugarlash Society. Renowned as a visionary leader, Kim orchestrates the global operations of Sugarlash PRO, an avant-garde lash supplier renowned for its pioneering eyelash products and transformative training programs for lash service providers worldwide.
In this role, Kim ignites and inspires multifaceted teams across marketing, operations and sales, propelling them towards unprecedented heights of excellence. She infuses her leadership with an unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation of beauty industry trailblazers, while also fostering invaluable connections among business authorities, thereby evolving opportunities into tangible avenues for growth and advancement.
Since initially assuming the mantle of leadership at Sugarlash PRO in 2018 (and rejoining the company as CEO in 2023), Kim has engineered monumental partnerships, notably securing a transformative alliance with Ulta Beauty, the premier national beauty retailer in the United States. Additionally, she has spearheaded the conception and implementation of the Salon and Academy Partner programs, cultivating a vast network of successful collaborations with myriad beauty enterprises and training organizations.
Under Kim’s stewardship, Sugarlash PRO has experienced a paradigm shift, marked notably by the groundbreaking debut of its consumer product line Sugarlash Society in 2023. Currently, Kim stands at the forefront of the brand’s ongoing evolution, meticulously crafting strategies to propel Sugarlash PRO to even greater heights of innovation and influence.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kim McIver embodies a profound commitment to leveraging business as a catalyst for positive societal change, championing causes aimed at empowering women and fostering enduring social impact. In every facet of her influential role, Kim’s spirit and dedication serve as a beacon of inspiration, embodying the transformative power of visionary and purpose-driven leadership.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
My career path has taken unexpected turns. A suggestion during my time in the restaurant industry led me to explore esthetics, a field I hadn’t imagined for myself. As a girly-girl, it made sense to pursue a career in esthetics. Initially drawn to making clients feel confident and beautiful, I soon discovered my talent for building relationships and generating sales. Recognizing my potential for broader impact, I pursued education in operations and marketing, developing a well-rounded skill set.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?
Yes, while I was President in 2019, we submitted a proposal to partner with ULTA Beauty, which was initially declined. Knowing we were the right choice, we requested an in-person pitch. We presented in Chicago with a full demonstration, including models wearing our lash extensions, and won the RFP. Today, our lash products are used in ULTA’s services.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
We’ve made our share of mistakes. I ordered inserts for an educational kit, thinking they were pre-cut sponges for our products. When they arrived, they were just sheets of foam, and we had to cut them ourselves. Since we sell over 600 kits a year, this was impractical. Needless to say, we quickly got the correct foam inserts.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I have been in the beauty industry for over 25 years, and some of my best friends and trusted advisors are my past or present team members and managers. It took me a while to seek advice and clarity, as I come from a generation that values self-reliance. Recently, I discussed becoming a shareholder and had a heart-to-heart with a former team member, now a friend, about my capabilities. It took her just three minutes to say YES! I am truly grateful for my team members who have grown with me and helped me grow personally and professionally.
Leadership often entails making difficult decisions or hard choices between two apparently good paths. Can you share a story with us about a hard decision or choice you had to make as a leader?
I have made very difficult decisions, but leading a company requires such actions. Starting in the early 2000s, I quickly realized the team was complacent and lacked energy for growth. I completely reorganized the company, letting thirteen people go and starting from scratch. This was hard to do, but in the end, I grew the company by over 200%.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Most of our readers — in fact, most people — think they have a pretty good idea of what a CEO or executive does. But in just a few words can you explain what an executive does that is different from the responsibilities of the other leaders?
I believe every company has a different set of KPIs for the CEO, depending on its size and growth strategy. My role involves setting the vision and strategy and making decisions that drive growth. Personally, I am an executor, actively building relationships and managing stakeholder communications on the front lines
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being a CEO or executive? Can you explain what you mean?
I think the biggest myth around being a C-Suite Executive is that we have all the answers. In reality, we rely on our confidence and experience to navigate complex challenges and often seek advice from trusted advisors. We may second-guess ourselves, but we understand the necessity of making decisions and are prepared to accept the accountability and responsibility for their outcomes.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by women executives that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts?
These are critical challenges that women in executive roles, including in the beauty industry, often contend with:
- Gender Bias and Stereotypes: There can be a prevailing stereotype that men are more assertive or better suited for leadership roles, which can unfairly hinder women’s advancement.
- Pay Equity: Despite strides towards equality, women in many industries still face disparities in pay compared to their male counterparts in similar positions.
- Work-Life Balance: Women often shoulder a larger burden of caregiving responsibilities, which can make balancing career advancement with family commitments more challenging.
- Societal Expectations: There is often a societal expectation for women to excel in both their professional careers and domestic roles, leading to added pressure and stress.
These challenges underscore the ongoing need for advocacy, support, and initiatives aimed at achieving gender parity and creating inclusive environments where women can thrive in leadership positions.
What is the most striking difference between your actual job and how you thought the job would be?
I actually have fun in my role, which I didn’t expect. I get to do so many different things that keep me always engaged. I thought it would be a bit boring, haha!
Is everyone cut out to be an executive? In your opinion, which specific traits increase the likelihood that a person will be a successful executive and what type of person should avoid aspiring to be an executive? Can you explain what you mean?
No I do not. “As an executive, you need certain traits. I believe you must be an assertive communicator, a strategist, a quick decision-maker, and, most importantly, highly adaptable. If you are a laid-back person who prefers to go with the flow, I would not recommend becoming an executive. What I mean is, you need to be comfortable with making decisions swiftly and moving on — especially in the beauty industry where things can change in the blink of an eye. There’s no time to dwell.”
What are your “5 Things You Need To Succeed As A Senior Executive” and why?
- Continuous Learning: In this fast-changing world, ongoing learning will help you stay ahead of the game.
- Hiring for Your Weaknesses: This is my favorite. You don’t need to excel at everything; instead, hire people who compliment your weaknesses. For example, I’m not detail-oriented, so I hire detailed people.
- Communication Skills: It’s essential to ensure everyone is on the same page so the team knows where the company is headed.
- Integrity: Trust is crucial. Being accountable for decisions builds trust with stakeholders and the team.
- Adaptability: Be flexible and adaptable to anticipate trends and make necessary adjustments.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
As a feminist, my goal would be to educate people on the true meaning behind the term. Contrary to misconceptions, feminism is not about hating men. It is about striving to create a more just and inclusive society where individuals are liberated from gender-based stereotypes, violence, and obstacles that restrict their full potential.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them
Yes! Jane Wurwand. Founder of Dermalogica, she would be my number one! Jane is in beauty, sold her company and she is Scottish. A powerhouse female that used her grit to build and sell an empire love it!
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Morcom is a millennial mom of three and founder of Morcom Media, a performance PR shop for thought leaders. She earned her degree in journalism and worked for Canada’s largest social enterprise. She can be reached at vanessa@morcom.media
