roleModel of the Week: Leslie Osborne

Interview

Leslie Osborne: Mother, Wife, Former member of the US Women's National Soccer Team, Co-Founder of Sweat Cosmetics, Ambassador for Puma & Lululemon and so much more...

You are such a beautiful & inspiring woman; tell us about your journey to becoming the Co-Founder of Sweat Cosmetics?

Thank you so much:) Wow, the journey started in 2008 when a few of my cofounders came up with this incredible idea. I didn't hear about this idea until 2010 when we started playing professional soccer together and realizing there was a huge gap in the beauty and fitness markets. I have four other amazing co founders who decided to take this idea in 2012 and form the company which took about 3 years. After a lot of data research and surveys, we realized there were no beauty and SPF products on the market designed for active women. Sweat Cosmetics officially launched in June of 2015 and we are celebrating our 2 year mark:) What is special about our company is our brand story and that we are our own target market. We know exactly what women are looking for and need.

We are currently sold on sephora.com and anthropologie.com which is really exciting for our brand. Our goal is to empower women, embrace their beauty and encourage women to find their daily sweat. Sweat Cosmetics has the products designed for the active women, all of our ingredients are good for your skin and have SPF in them.

Instagram: Leslieosborne12

Hometown: Menomonee Falls, WI ( I am a midwest girl and cheesehead).

Have you always led a healthy and active lifestyle? If not, what made you change. Was there a defining moment?

Yes. My mother grow up on a farm so in my childhood my mom was a big believe in lots of fruits and veggies and home cooked meals. I started playing a lot of competitive sports at a young age so I learned about healthy eating and taking care of my body. I played collegiate soccer and then played professionally for 10 years so I had amazing nutritionists and mentors in my life helping me perform at the highest level possible so that meant treating my body like a temple. I was the definition of an active and healthy lifestyle but to the extreme. It was hard to have balance in my workouts and diet since I was monitored and training for world competitions.

I retired in 2013 and that's when I truly found a balance of living an active and healthy lifestyle. It was the best feeling in the world to choose my workouts, some days I wanted to hike or go for an 8 mile run or jump into a hot yoga class. I also found a passion in cooking and loved that I could eat whatever I felt like having that day:) No more pre game meals of chicken, pasta and veggies...

I am now a young mom so I think my healthy active lifestyle is at it's best. I want to be an amazing role model for my daughter and I have daily reminders of everything we eat in our household and the lifestyle we live. I love going jogging with her in my stroller, or hiking with her in my ergo and making her homemade food purees.

How do you balance being a Business Woman and being a SuperMom?

It's funny, anyone who knows me knows that I love and thrive off of being busy. When I was playing professional soccer, I always had a side job and/or multiple things going on. I always felt and did my best when I was busy and had to manage my time. When I had my baby 8 months ago, it was a simple transition. I took a week off after I gave birth and was back on conference calls and emails because I am very passionate about our company and it makes me happy. My multi tasking is at an all time high. My husband and mom laugh at me because I will be breastfeeding, while on a conference call with my earphones in while typing an email. Its just something you figure out and when you love your job, it's an easy thing to do. Plus- I think I am a better mom and wife because of it.

How old were you when you starting playing soccer?

I started playing when I was 10 because my sister started and I did whatever she did:)

What is your work out routine?

Now, I get 60 minutes a day of high intensity working out. I love my hot yoga Core Power sculpt classes, a long run or my Soul Cycle classes. Our family also goes for an hour work every night together:)

What motivates you?

My family and my daughter. My company and business partners.

Who are your role models/ women who inspire you?

I have an incredible role models in my life. Starting with my mom as she instilled hard work and my work ethic as my foundation. Julie Foudy is still one of my biggest role models. She is one of the best leaders I have ever had and she changed my life. Kristine Lilly also had an amazing impact both on and off the field.

Do you have any upcoming projects you are working on that you would like to tell us about?

Sweat Cosmetics. We have some exciting news to announce soon. So check us out and come follow us:)

What are your favorite foods to eat?

Cheese, it's my favorite food in the world. Also, I could eat sushi almost every day:)

Running a business and being a Mom… we know every day is different, describe your favorite day...?

Every day is the best. My days are jam packed. I wake up around 5:30 most of the time to get some work done before my daughter wakes up. I like getting to my emails and having my inbox cleared before my day begins. Usually my nanny comes over around 9 am and that's when I head to meetings or the coffee shop to work. I usually do a 12pm workout for a little pick me up, I feel like it reenergizes me and my day. I am on a lot of conference calls and emails throughout the day. When I come home, I love taking my daughter to the parks and on walks and sometimes I take my conference calls during this time. I take advantage of early mornings and evenings when I can work and get work done around the house. I love cooking as well so that's my favorite time of the night. I have long days but the great thing is I am exhausted at night and sleep really good. If I don't work events on the weekends, I really like to relax or travel with my family for little weekend getaways:) As a Business Woman, Mom, and a Mentor, what advice do you have for young women just starting out on a new endeavor?

Use your support system. My family is everything and has supported me to help go after my endeavor and dream. Without them, this wouldn't be possible. Also, use your network. Sweat Cosmetics wouldn't be where we are at without the network we have created our entire lives, people who trust and support us and loved us along the way. People like to help so take them up on it:)