How a Lawyer's Passion for Equality Inspired a Beauty Brand feat. Erin Potempa-Wall

Erin Potempa-Wall, a lawyer turned beauty brand founder, shares her journey from practicing law to starting her own beauty company. She shares her experiences as a prosecutor and former law firm owner, her passion for equity and civil rights, and how her background in philosophy helped shape her approach to advocacy. Tune in to hear Erin's inspiring story of creating her own path to career success.

LISTEN TO LEARN

The importance of finding your voice and advocating for yourself and others
How to see potential career changes and pursuing different paths
What it means to support brands that align with sustainability and empowerment

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WE ALSO DISCUSS

Equality, civil rights, and advocating for children’s rights
Building a feminist beauty company
Fully actualizing your potential

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About This Episode

Erin Potempa-Wall’s Background

Erin Potempa-Wall is a lawyer, beauty brand founder, advocate, and the founder of The Beachwaver Co. and B. Bungalow. With a background in law and a passion for equality and empowerment, Erin has built a successful career in both the legal and beauty industries. Erin’s philosophy major in undergrad and her experience as a prosecutor and owning her own law firm shaped her perspective and led her to start her own beauty brand.

"You see an issue, you've got to stand up for it, even if you're standing up for yourself." emphasizes Erin Potempa-Wall on You Are A Lawyer.

Erin emphasizes the importance of finding your voice, both in her personal journey and in her work as a lawyer and entrepreneur. She believes that standing up for what you believe in, even if it means advocating for yourself, is a crucial aspect of personal growth and empowerment. Erin encourages individuals to speak up, make their opinions heard, and confidently assert themselves in any situation. She believes that finding your voice is not only empowering, but also essential for creating positive change in the world. Through her own experiences, Erin demonstrates that finding your voice is a powerful tool for personal and professional success.

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Why Law School

Erin’s background in philosophy during her undergraduate studies at Notre Dame sparked her interest in law school. She was drawn to the logical thinking and the ability to understand different arguments from various perspectives. She also had a personal connection to issues of equity and civil rights, which influenced her decision to pursue a career in law.

During law school, Erin was involved in mock trials and interned at the public guardian's office in Cook County, where she represented children in the system. She also participated in the 7-Eleven program, providing legal assistance to people facing eviction and domestic battery situations. These experiences allowed her to use her platform as a law student to help those who couldn't afford legal representation.

“Something that's really important to me is equality, equity, civil rights, really making sure that there is a voice for people who don't have a voice.” shares Erin Potempa-Wall on episode 120 of You Are a Lawyer.

What Can You Do with a Law Degree

After law school, Erin worked as a prosecutor before starting her own law firm with a classmate. However, she felt a desire to start something new and build a brand that could bring good into the world. Alongside her sisters, she founded The Beachwaver Co., a beauty company specializing in rotating curling irons and vegan haircare products. Erin's legal background was instrumental in protecting the company's ideas and ensuring proper legal compliance.

The Beachwaver Co. focuses on innovation, accessibility, empowerment, and sustainability. Erin emphasizes that feminism is about supporting women and men to be who they want to be and doing what makes them fulfilled. The company aims to provide confidence and opportunities for individuals to pursue their passions.

In addition to the beauty brand, Erin and her sisters also launched the B. Bungalow, an environmentally conscious retailer. They partner with brands that give back to the community, employ underserved individuals, and have charitable elements. The B. Bungalow offers clothing for adults, kids, and babies, as well as fragrances and other products.

"For me, starting the company is a very, you know, seemingly drastic departure. But for me, it's kind of building on what I've learned being a lawyer and building on those skill sets and building on that philosophy of what we're trying to put out into the world and doing that in this different format." said Erin Potempa-Wall on You Are A Lawyer.

Erin credits her legal education for providing a strong foundation in contract review, negotiation, and finding her voice. She believes that law school helped her develop the skills necessary to run a business and make informed decisions.

Overall, Erin's journey from lawyer to beauty brand founder showcases the versatility of a law degree and the ability to pursue different paths. She encourages others to embrace change and follow their passions, even if it means deviating from traditional career expectations.

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Building a Brand with Purpose and Sustainability

Erin exemplifies the concept of building a brand with purpose and sustainability through her company's mission and practices. Her belief in the importance of individuals pursuing their passions and feeling fulfilled is evident in her brand's values. She recognizes that when people are doing what they want to do and have the freedom to be who they want to be, the world becomes a better place. This belief is at the core of her brand's purpose - to empower individuals to embrace their unique beauty and feel confident and powerful in their choices.‍

"I wanted to do something where I'm putting a different kind of good out there." shared Erin on episode 120 of You Are A Lawyer.

In order to protect her brand and ensure its success, Erin utilized her background in law and her network of industry professionals, correctly filing patents and seeking advice from friends and experts to ensure that all legal aspects were taken care of.

One of the challenges Erin faced was competing against huge corporations with deep pockets. However, she and her sisters, who co-founded the company, stuck by their hardworking Midwestern values and stayed determined to succeed without relying on external funding. By taking the necessary steps to protect their idea and company, they were able to level the playing field and compete with established players in the industry.

Erin's brand has expanded to include hair care products, an app, fragrance, and hats, reflecting her vision of building a platform for an opinion and utilizing the brand's influence to make a positive impact. Through partnerships with major events and organizations, Erin has been able to spread her message and reach a wider audience. Her brand commits to sustainability and empowerment by making choices like using vegan ingredients and sustainable packaging materials.

Erin’s background in law, coupled with her entrepreneurial spirit, has allowed her to create a brand that empowers individuals to embrace their uniqueness and make a positive impact in the beauty industry. Through her commitment to doing things the right way, protecting her brand, and expanding her offerings, Erin has built a brand that is not only successful but also aligned with her values of empowerment and sustainability. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs who strive to build brands that make a difference in the world.

"You can always change. You go down one path just because you racked up a ton of law school debt and everybody expects you to be one thing. You walk in the door into your job every day. You're not wildly happy with where you're at. You can always change." stated Erin on You Are A Lawyer.

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