2027 ISPA CONFERENCE KEYNOTE

Pulse: What did waiting tables teach you about building a business? Jamie Kern Lima: I remember waiting tables at Denny’ s and the location I was at had some operational challenges where pancakes would take too long to come out. I’ d have tables get so angry they’ d leave. Years later, when I was building IT Cosmetics, I always knew that no matter how unsexy it was, I had to prioritize great operational execution for my customers. I learned that waitressing!

Pulse: How do you keep rejection from derailing you? JKL: The only power rejection has over you is the meaning you assign to it. If you believe rejection is protection or redirection or a victory because it means you’ re one of the brave ones who tried and went for it— then you won’ t fear it.

JAMIE KERN LIMA FOUNDED IT COSMETICS in her living room and sold the company to L’ Oréal in a billion-dollar deal, becoming the first woman to serve as CEO of a L’ Oréal brand. Her business education began well before that milestone— including lessons learned while waiting tables at Denny’ s.

A two-time New York Times bestselling author, Kern Lima hosts The Jamie Kern Lima Show and is an investor, speaker and philanthropist. Her work focuses on helping people build self-worth and believe in their potential.

Pulse: What did going makeup-free on live TV teach you about customer trust? JKL: When I removed my makeup on live TV and I spoke to that one customer at home through the camera lens,

Three Days Three Keynote Speakers One Main Stage at the Daily Power Session

DAY ONE n JAMIE KERN LIMA DAY TWO n JEFFERSON FISHER DAY THREE n ZACK KASS

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