Jemma Salisbury is the founder of plant-based skincare brand, PB SKN, designed specifically for people living active lifestyles.

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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

Ever since I can remember I have always wanted to be my own boss. I’m naturally a very creative person and beauty has always been something I loved.

However, growing up I was never encouraged to pursue a career in it so I went to uni, got a degree and ended up working at the University of Queensland in international engagement, and also helped my parents with their textbook publishing company for a number of years.

My other obsession is holistic wellness encompassing all aspects related to keeping a healthy body, mind and spirit, with a particular interest in natural and non-toxic beauty products, and it wasn’t until the birth of my first daughter that finally decided to follow my passions.

I opened my own successful vegan-friendly and cruelty-free cosmetic tattooing and beauty business, Bespoke Brows, which satisfies my creative and artistic side, and in October last year I launched my other dream that satisfies my inner wellness-warrior; a natural skincare company for active lifestyles.

As someone who loves exercising, eating well and keeping healthy, I realised that others living the same kind of lifestyle weren’t aware that the chemicals in the products they were putting onto their skin every day could actually be having a negative impact on their health, nor did they consider that an active lifestyle takes an even bigger toll on your skin and requires more specific care. So, I founded PB SKN to address these issues!

2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

A typical workday for me is quite busy, on top of running two businesses I have two young daughters to take care of! I always rise early in the morning and I use this time to check emails and do a bit of work on the computer as I drink my tea, and then once my girls wake up the mad rush of getting them ready and out the door for kindy and prep begins.

During the day it’s brows, brows, brows, and in between and at night once my girls are in bed I work on PB SKN – packing orders, creating content, social media, admin and learning all that I can about digital marketing.

3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?

Flexible, yes, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m very lucky that I can work from home. My husband and I have just built our dream house that has a separate beauty studio down the side which is from where I operate Bespoke Brows.

We also have a ridiculously large shed (aka warehouse) for storage. The best thing about working for myself is that I can block off days ahead in my calendar for running errands, attending kindy or school events, and even for just having some me-time.

4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

Work-life balance to me means being able to nurture all areas of your life. Although work does take up so much of our time, I believe we shouldn’t let it get in the way of family, friends and most importantly, our own health and wellbeing.

It can be hard when you are your own boss though, because you never really switch off. And it’s especially hard to switch off when you are passionate about what you do because then it doesn’t actually feel like work – it’s enjoyment.

I know that I feel my best when I work out, eat well and take care of myself, because then I have the energy, vitality and drive to put into my businesses and do activities with my family.

I always make time to catch up with my friends over brekky or wine, because I have the best group of supportive women in my life and I always walk away from our catch-ups feeling lighter and happier.

5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

Last year I cancelled my gym membership and now I work out from home. I have a bar and weights set and my husband has one of those multi-station setups so there was really no reason to keep paying for a membership.

It’s harder to motivate myself to exercise at home, but I usually just put on a YouTube video that I can follow because I still need someone up in front of me shouting, haha. I have more time in my day now because I don’t waste time traveling to and from the gym, plus I can work out in my daggiest clothes in privacy!

6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

I’m always listening to podcasts about women in business, spirituality, mindset and health. I’ve also just signed up to the media platform Gaia to satisfy my addiction to watching shows about the unexplained such as the universe and UFOs, which I highly recommend if you’re into that sort of thing! But I must admit I do love a trashy reality TV show before bed to help chill my brain out.

7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?

I’m not really a gadget-y kind of person, but a software product I love is Canva because it’s such a user-friendly design tool and makes creating marketing material so easy.

8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?

Probably Janine Allis, founder of Boost Juice, because not only is she a powerhouse, she’s got four kids! I’ve actually just stumbled across her podcast called Superwomen…We Ain’t, so I’m keen to start listening to it.

9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

Treat yourself, follow your joy and let go of things that don’t serve you. Make time to do things that are fun and that make you feel good about yourself on the inside and on the outside. You are your best self when you are happy and that flows into all areas of your life, so make your happiness a priority!

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