The first time I met Tracy Brennan, Co-Founder and President of Kalologie, was because I cold-called so that she might look at Alchimie Forever for her spa. (I have to admit a number of my relationships have started that way…). While our business partnership was not meant to be (at least not yet), as she developed her own line of products, we have stayed in touch throughout the years and watched our respective businesses grow. From a single location opened in 2004, she now has many in the California area, a partnership with a resort spa in Vegas, and has a complete line of skin care products.
AP: What city were you born in? TB: West Hills, CA, just outside of LA.
AP: What city to do you live in? TB: Phoenix, AZ. Once we went down the path with the franchise system, being in a state that is franchise-friendly made a lot of sense.
AP: What is your middle name? TB: Lauren.
AP: What is your astrological sign? TB: Libra. Libras get along so well with other libras…
AP: What is something about you most people don’t know? TB: I am painfully shy at times.
AP: What is your most prized possession? TB: I don’t know if you can call your children possessions, but if so, they definitely are. My two boys (Grant is 14 and Blake is 13) are such a blessing to me every day.
AP: If you could have dinner with the person of your choice, who would it be? TB: Diana Vreelad. I loved having a glimpse into her life in “The Eye Has to Travel.” It would definitely be an interesting evening!
AP: Describe your fashion style in three words maximum. TB: Classic with an edge.
AP: Do you wear a watch? If yes, what model? TB: I do. My husband gave me a Cartier tank watch in stainless steel for my 30th birthday – he put it under my pillow. I remember I thought he had forgotten about my birthday… Until the end of the day when I got into bed.
AP: Diamonds or pearls? TB: Diamonds!
AP: What is your #1 beauty secret? TB: Sunscreen.
AP: What fragrance do you wear? TB: I wear Le Labo Bergamot #22.
AP: Botox or not? TB: Yes, of course!
AP: Hair color: natural or not? TB: Not… Not anymore.
AP: What are your special diet tips, if any? TB: If I have to hunker down, I just go low carbs for a few days.
AP: What do you do for exercise? TB: I love yoga and I also have been doing the Focus T 25. It is great for working moms, even we have 25 minutes…
AP: What are three things that you always have in your fridge? TB: Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and wine.
AP: What is your cocktail of choice? TB: Hanger 1 Mandarin Vodka with freshly squeezed grapefruit, on the rocks.
AP: What is your secret to work/life balance? TB: Compartmentalizing. I try to get the things I need to get done from a work perspective done, and then put work aside during family time. I have learned to turn it off.
AP: How many miles do you fly per year on average? TB: I am not a huge flyer…
AP: What are your three top tips for travel? TB: 1. Hydration – I always travel with our Rewind peptide serum. 2. I always have saline spray to clean out my nasal passages in case I come into contact with sick travelers. 3. I limit alcohol and drink more water.
AP: 3 songs on your ipod right now. TB: 1. Pharrel Williams “Happy” – how can you not smile when you hear this? 2. Prince “D.M.S.R.” – reminds me of my husband Bill – we’ve been together 21 years! 3. Joy Division “Love Will Tear Us Apart” – a classic.
AP: What book are you reading right now? TB: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I am really enjoying it.
AP: Quote to live by. TB: “If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” by T. S. Eliot.
AP: What is your worst pet peeve? TB: I have so many! The one that gets me the most is perhaps how people complain about how busy they are all the time. I wish we could all stop the glorification of busy. Busy is not equal to important.
AP: What time do you usually wake up in the morning, and how many hours of sleep do you usually get? TB: I am a good sleeper. I wake up at 6:30 am to get the kids out of the house for school. I usually go to bed at 10:30 pm. I need my 8 hours…
AP: What is your favorite thing about the beauty industry? TB: I love so many aspects of it. Our industry has such a positive impact on people… We make people feel good.
AP: Least favorite thing. TB: Feeling like I have to always look good and put together!
AP: Who is your mentor? TB: There are a number of people that I look up to in the industry… But I have never really had a mentor.
AP: Words of advice for young women starting their careers today. TB: This sounds so simple – but nothing replaces a good work ethic. I find that is lacking a lot of times today… When I started in this business, I worked such long hours and was willing to do anything it took. There is no substitute to hard work. If you are dreaming of it, be willing to work for it.
