10 Questions with Rachel Sommers Ash, CEO of Intoxicated Cosmetics

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be the CEO of a skincare company? This is your chance to have an inside look at the life of Rachel Sommers Ash, the CEO and founder of Intoxicated Cosmetics. We sat down with Rachel and asked her 10 intriguing questions to dive into her journey, struggles, and successes. Keep reading for a peek into her world, filled with valuable insights, advice, and reflection.

1. Did you always know you wanted to be a CEO? What did you want to be when you grew up?

Rachel’s path to becoming the CEO of a skincare brand wasn’t as clear-cut as one might think. Growing up as a nationally competing equestrian, Rachel wanted to grow up to be an equine veterinarian, but she “didn’t like school that much”. 

2. We’ve heard your story about developing Intoxicated Cosmetics, but what’s something you haven’t shared before

Starting Intoxicated Cosmetics came with its fair share of challenges. One of the lesser-known aspects of Rachel’s entrepreneurial journey is the significant financial risks she took. “I had to sell my Louis Vuitton purses just to pay rent,” she says laughing. It wasn’t funny at the time, but it was part of the process of being a business owner. The life of a business owner is not for the faint of heart, but for one that is willing to put themselves in risky situations and solve problems that arise, which build character and resilience.

Behind every successful entrepreneur is often a strong support system, and for Rachel, that was her now-husband, Marc. During the challenging times of starting her business, Rachel states that Marc got her through. She also feels that when there’s pressure and when she has her “back against the wall,” that ignites a fire of urgency that helps her to succeed.

3. What advice would you give to younger women in unsupportive relationships?

Reflecting on her past experiences, Rachel has a clear message for younger women who find themselves in relationships that don’t uplift them–to get rid of them from your life. Her advice is to not settle for someone who doesn’t support you, and rather, focus on your career. She states that if she had a daughter, she wouldn’t encourage her to start dating until her late twenties. 

Rachel shares a piece of advice that people know her for “If you want to be a success story yourself, you either need to be with a partner that is very supportive, or no partner at all.”

4. What were you like in high school?

Another fun question that gives us insight into who Rachel is and how she is as a person is the question of what she was like in high school. Rachel laughs and explains that she was “the cool popular girl” in high school. She was grunge, edgy, and was always seen wearing black eyeliner. She was always “getting into trouble” and was “too cool for school”. 

This edginess is something that’s still very much a part of her today—and it’s reflected in Intoxicated Cosmetics. Rachel’s products, from the bold branding to the unique formulations, embody that rebellious, confident spirit. Not only are her products different, she aspires to bring out more of who her customers are, and a confidence that radiates from within them.  

5. Do you prefer to work alone or on a team?

As a CEO with a clear vision, Rachel admits that she prefers working alone. She recognizes that at some point it is necessary to delegate and grow the company. She is only one person, and a hard worker, as she is constantly working to make her business goals come true. 

6. What are your thoughts on your work life balance as a CEO?

The work that Rachel does is indicative of a self-starter, hard worker, and overall incredible passion for her business and being able to provide for her family. Rachel states that work life balance is difficult to maintain as a small business owner and resontates with saying that goes, "Entrepreneurs quit their 40 hour work week to work for someone else to work 100 hours for yourself"! However, she wouldn’t trade it for the flexibility that the CEO life allows her to have. She enjoys being able to have slow mornings with her son and complete tasks at her own pace.

 Let her be an inspiration to us all that time and consistency produces amazing results!

7. What’s the hardest business hurdle that you have overcome within the 5 years of developing Intoxicated Cosmetics?

Rachel shares that "growth is the hardest hurdle" in running her business. One of the key challenges is balancing the "cost of doing business" with profitability. It is constant problem solving and managing the cost of things to be balanced with the profit. She constantly faces the pressure of managing large inventories, often with thousands of units that need to be sold within a year due to expiration dates. This makes the prospect of unsold products particularly daunting. To mitigate this, wholesale orders play a crucial role, but the balance between costs and revenue is always a concern. Navigating these financial pressures while ensuring business growth requires careful planning and strategic problem-solving.

8. What would you tell Rachel from 5 years ago when she was just starting Intoxicated Cosmetics?

As Intoxicated Cosmetics approaches its five-year anniversary, Rachel reflects on what advice she would give her younger self. “I’d say, just keep going.” As most businesses don’t make it past 5 years, she’s been worried about if they would make it. Rachel also emphasizes the importance of focusing on collaborations with influencers and not getting sidetracked by people trying to sell empty promises. She wisely states “your next victory is always around the corner.”

9. What has been your proudest moment?

Rachel’s proudest moment came when Intoxicated Cosmetics was featured in Forbes after only being in business a year and a half. She shares that she cried when she found out about the feature! Another significant milestone was securing a partnership with Boxycharm, a major win that she was able to celebrate and feel recognized for by her close friends. 

10. What is the vision for Intoxicated Cosmetics over the next 5 years?

Looking forward, Rachel is excited about developing new products and expanding the Intoxicated Cosmetics line. "I want to dip my toe into makeup, maybe even body care, but the biggest goal is to get into big box stores."

Rachel Sommers Ash’s journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of staying true to your vision. Her story inspires not only budding entrepreneurs but anyone looking to turn their dreams into reality. Stay tuned for what’s next from Intoxicated Cosmetics—there’s much more to come!