One of the very first things I did when I launched Alchimie Forever was to join the Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors, Inc (ICMAD). I still have the blue booklet they wrote about FDA and FTC rules for manufacturers and distributors… At the helm of this organization is Pamela Jo Busiek, President & CEO. I admire her passion and her drive… and above all love her answer to the fragrance question below… can you tell she is passionate about the beauty industry?
AP: What city were you born in? PJB: College Park, MD.
AP: What city to do you live in? PJB: Dallas, TX.
AP: What is your middle name? PJB: Jo (mother Peggy Jo and daughter Jamie Jo…fun and southern!).
AP: What is your astrological sign? PJB: Sagittarius, first day, November 23.
AP: What is something about you most people don’t know? PJB: I hunt in Africa and have two world records.
AP: What is your most prized possession? PJB: My character.
AP: If you could have dinner with the person of your choice, who would it be? PBJ: Deceased – Ronald Regan or Winston Churchill; living – Obama one on one. As a Christian – Jesus.
AP: Describe your fashion style in three words maximum. PJB: Classic, couture, colorful.
AP: Do you wear a watch? If yes, what model? PBJ: Polar fitness watch, Piaget or Rolex.
AP: Diamonds or pearls? PBJ: Diamonds…but love them both together!
AP: What is your #1 beauty secret? PBJ: Sleep and daily exfoliation.
AP: What fragrance do you wear? PBJ: Quelques Fleurs, here is the history… fabulous:
- 1775: Perfumer Jean-François Houbigant opens “A la Corbeille de Fleurs”, Rue Faubourg St Honoré
- 1807: Perfumer Armand-Gustave Houbigant, the son of Jean-François, joins the house
- 1807: Houbigant was appointed personal perfumer to Napoleon and created a special perfume for Empress Josephine
- In the beginning of the nineteenth century, Houbigant was appointed perfumer to Her Royal Highness, the Princess Adelaide d’Orleans, mother of King Louis-Philippe.
- In 1838, the French house was awarded the license of “Perfumer to Her Majesty,Queen Victoria of England”.
- In 1880 perfumer Paul Parquet became joint owner.
- In 1882, Paul Parquet creates Fougère Royale.
- In 1890 Tsar Alexander III named Houbigant perfumer to the Imperial Court of Russia
- In 1912 Perfumer Bienaimé joined Houbigant and created fragrances for the house until he founded his own in 1935.
- In 1912 perfumer Bienaimé introduced Quelques Fleurs.
- pre-1950 perfumers Paul Schving and Marcel Billot created perfumes for Houbigant
- In 1990, Houbigant relaunched Lutece from prestige department store brand to domestic brand.
- In the 1980s Houbigant relaunched Quelques Fleurs.
- In 1985 Houbigant launched Duc de Vervins.
- In 1998 Houbigant launched Quelques Fleurs Royale.
AP: Botox or not? PJB: Sure…
AP: Hair color: natural or not? PBJ: No mam, I must wash that gray right out of my hair!
AP: What are your special diet tips, if any? PJB: Low carbs, plenty of lean protein, little sugar.
AP: What do you do for exercise? PJB: Love to exercise: weights, cardio, sports.
AP: What are three things that you always have in your fridge? PJB: Reduced sugar ketchup, julian bakery 1net carbbread, seltzer water.
AP: What is your cocktail of choice? PJB: White wine diluted with Seltzer water.
AP: What is your secret to work/life balance? PJB: Exercise and get one!
AP: How many miles do you fly per year on average? PBJ: 150,000.
AP: What are your three top tips for travel? PBJ: 1. Plan ahead; 2. pack light ( I don’t!); 3. take plenty of cash and do your destination homework.
AP: 3 songs on your ipod right now. PJB: Ain’t no mountain high enough by Michael McDonald, The Lord’s Prayer by Andrea Bocelli, and Last Dance by Donna Summer.
AP: What book are you reading right now? PJB: Work, Love, Pray by Diane Paddison.
AP: Quote to live by. PJB: Everything happens for a reason – stay optimistic.
AP: What is your worst pet peeve? PJB: People with a negative pessimistic attitude!
AP: What time do you usually wake up in the morning, and how many hours of sleep do you usually get? PJB: I need 8 hours, rarely get them. Workdays I am up at 5:30 to 6 am. Weekends and holidays, whatever I can get away with!
AP: What is your favorite thing about the beauty industry? PJB: The people and the pace!
AP: Least favorite thing. PJB: The drama.
AP: Who is your mentor? PJB: My mother and father.
AP: Words of advice for young women starting their careers today. PJB: Be a lady, pay your dues, work diligent, stay late…it pays off (some say go in early…one or the other and sometimes both!).
