Working from Home with Tower 28 Founder Amy Liu
Tips for staying focused from the beauty guru.
14 July, 2020
Career
10 November, 2021
Graphics
Rachel Pickus
Each week we’re checking in with friends to see how they’re working from home and leaning into the summer months. As fanatics of Tower 28’s vegan and cruelty-free makeup, we only thought it appropriate to chat with founder Amy Liu. See below for how she’s been working from bed at her gorgeous home in Santa Monica and her secrets to balance, productivity, and success.
How do you start your days?
“I generally try to wake up before my kids so I have a moment to myself. I force myself to drink water first and ALWAYS have coffee. I read the news, check email and IG. Then, if my kids still aren’t awake, I write in my journal. Once they’re up, it’s making breakfast, cleaning up, and going through their schedule for the day!”
Are you incorporating movement or exercise into your routine? If yes, anything you’re loving at the moment?
“I’m trying to go on walks in the neighborhood, and I started using this amazing fitness app called Presence. Pre-quarantine, I usually attend group fitness classes because I need the accountability of having other people to keep me honest during workouts. I love using Presence because it’s live, so you can make a date to do it with others (accountability) and there is a trainer who watches you and gives feedback (again, accountability!).”
Talk to us a little bit about your work environment right now. Are you back in the office, or working remotely from home?
“Working from home, and specifically, from my California king bed since I don’t have space for a desk! We aren’t planning to go back to the office for the rest of the year.”
What are the most critical things needed for creativity and to survive a workday?
“I think we all need some space and time to think in silence. For some people in quarantine there is too much of that, but living at home with three kids, I wish there was more! I also think variety is important to spur creativity—of people, environment, opinions, food, etc., which is also hard to get during quarantine! I feel grateful that I really do love my work, so I don’t feel like I need to ‘survive’ it!”
How do you stay focused and motivated throughout the day? Any tricks you can share?
“Have a schedule. I try to make sure I know how my day is structured so I have a sense of what to expect and when. I have to manage my kids’ schedules too, so it’s really important!”
“I generally try to wake up before my kids so I have a moment to myself. I force myself to drink water first and ALWAYS have coffee. I read the news, check email and IG. Then, if my kids still aren’t awake, I write in my journal. Once they’re up, it’s making breakfast, cleaning up, and going through their schedule for the day!”
Are you incorporating movement or exercise into your routine? If yes, anything you’re loving at the moment?
“I’m trying to go on walks in the neighborhood, and I started using this amazing fitness app called Presence. Pre-quarantine, I usually attend group fitness classes because I need the accountability of having other people to keep me honest during workouts. I love using Presence because it’s live, so you can make a date to do it with others (accountability) and there is a trainer who watches you and gives feedback (again, accountability!).”
Talk to us a little bit about your work environment right now. Are you back in the office, or working remotely from home?
“Working from home, and specifically, from my California king bed since I don’t have space for a desk! We aren’t planning to go back to the office for the rest of the year.”
What are the most critical things needed for creativity and to survive a workday?
“I think we all need some space and time to think in silence. For some people in quarantine there is too much of that, but living at home with three kids, I wish there was more! I also think variety is important to spur creativity—of people, environment, opinions, food, etc., which is also hard to get during quarantine! I feel grateful that I really do love my work, so I don’t feel like I need to ‘survive’ it!”
How do you stay focused and motivated throughout the day? Any tricks you can share?
“Have a schedule. I try to make sure I know how my day is structured so I have a sense of what to expect and when. I have to manage my kids’ schedules too, so it’s really important!”
It’s a tricky time in our world, and economically speaking, it’s unclear what the future holds. How do you foresee this time impacting your industry?
“Beauty makes people happy, and I don’t think that will ever change, but how they shop might. People understand more than ever before that you vote with your wallet, and they will choose brands that align with their values. Clean beauty makes people feel safe, and with COVID, health and safety is at the forefront. I also think people will become more price conscious—they will buy the tried-and-true things, staples in their routine. And they’ll try newness, but won’t compromise on quality because every penny counts. I operate under the premise that we have to earn every dollar we make, and I think about that with every product we produce and every piece of content we post.”
From a creative standpoint, who or what has been your biggest influence?
“My dad and brother are both architects, my sister works in fashion, and my mom is a Chinese calligraphist, so it’s safe to say that I come from a family of artists. I think I’ve been raised to notice and appreciate design details.”
Tell us a little bit about your style right now. What’s your go-to uniform?
“We launched our first piece of merch (a sweatshirt) during quarantine, and, not kidding, I wear it ALL THE TIME. Other than that, I’m in yoga pants and sweatshirts every day! But I do wear makeup. I have to test so many lab samples!”
Are there any style essentials you rely on for your summer wardrobe?
“Cutoff shorts and a hat!”
Let’s switch gears for a minute: Are there any beauty products essential to your day-to-day?
“Gratefully, I can honestly say that my favorite products are Tower 28! I wake up every morning and use our SOS spray first thing. It helps to soothe and cleanse my skin.”
How do you unwind at the end of the day? Cocktails? Recipe, please!
“My husband made a rule long ago: no TV in the bedroom. I think it’s honestly saved our marriage. After we put the kids down, we actually sit and talk to each other. I feel lucky I married my best friend. I think a lot of people just live life in parallel and go right past each other, and I’m grateful we actually connect!”
“Beauty makes people happy, and I don’t think that will ever change, but how they shop might. People understand more than ever before that you vote with your wallet, and they will choose brands that align with their values. Clean beauty makes people feel safe, and with COVID, health and safety is at the forefront. I also think people will become more price conscious—they will buy the tried-and-true things, staples in their routine. And they’ll try newness, but won’t compromise on quality because every penny counts. I operate under the premise that we have to earn every dollar we make, and I think about that with every product we produce and every piece of content we post.”
From a creative standpoint, who or what has been your biggest influence?
“My dad and brother are both architects, my sister works in fashion, and my mom is a Chinese calligraphist, so it’s safe to say that I come from a family of artists. I think I’ve been raised to notice and appreciate design details.”
Tell us a little bit about your style right now. What’s your go-to uniform?
“We launched our first piece of merch (a sweatshirt) during quarantine, and, not kidding, I wear it ALL THE TIME. Other than that, I’m in yoga pants and sweatshirts every day! But I do wear makeup. I have to test so many lab samples!”
Are there any style essentials you rely on for your summer wardrobe?
“Cutoff shorts and a hat!”
Let’s switch gears for a minute: Are there any beauty products essential to your day-to-day?
“Gratefully, I can honestly say that my favorite products are Tower 28! I wake up every morning and use our SOS spray first thing. It helps to soothe and cleanse my skin.”
How do you unwind at the end of the day? Cocktails? Recipe, please!
“My husband made a rule long ago: no TV in the bedroom. I think it’s honestly saved our marriage. After we put the kids down, we actually sit and talk to each other. I feel lucky I married my best friend. I think a lot of people just live life in parallel and go right past each other, and I’m grateful we actually connect!”
Photos: Courtesy of Amy Liu
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