In the Biz: Trudi Loren -

In the Biz with Trudi Loren

Trudi is the ‘nose’ that is responsible for creating some of your favorite perfumes. She is currently the VP, Corporate Fragrance Development at The Estee Lauder Companies. Not only did she take the time to answer these questions for me but also for Yale’s paper on scent marketing. Trudi is gracious, beautiful and a true inspiration!

City you live in: Part time Manhattan and part time in New Jersey

If there was a theme song in your life, it would be:
as kitsch as it sounds “My Way”. I have been able to blend a career and family; live in Asia, Europe and the US and satisfy my analytical mind with my creative desires.

What is the best advice you can give to a women who wants that corner office?
Work hard, do more than is expected of you and be patient. Never, never, ever say “it is not my job”.

What do you think is the the key to being a successful woman in the competitive (fragrance/beauty/pr/marketing) industry?
I think the key is not only to be very good at what you do, responsible and accountable but to be generous with your time and knowledge. Mentors are always admired and respected within industry.

What is the your favorite quote that keeps you motivated?
It is the following analogy not a quote by which I try to live my life.
When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor
then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of
course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes.” The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the
sand. The students laughed. “Now,” said the professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to
recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things–your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else — the small stuff.”

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. “Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first—the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goesto show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

*HeyDoYou is for the cute, clever and connected*