Helping People Feel Beautiful | Blake's No7 Career Story
Blake, a No7 Business Manager, shares his passion for beauty, skincare, and helping others feel confident. Inspired by watching his mum's beauty routine growing up, Blake discusses what No7 means to him, from its commitment to inclusivity and quality to the science behind its innovative products. He reflects on the importance of creating a positive team culture, the rewarding experience of transforming customers' confidence through makeup, and his aspirations to become a No7 Trainer. Blake also highlights Future Renew Serum as his favourite No7 product, praising its impact on his own skincare journey and why he confidently recommends it to customers.
What does the No7 brand mean to you personally?
To me, No7 means inclusivity, reliability, quality, and affordability. I take huge pride in working for a brand that is for everyone regardless of age, race and gender. It’s a brand that is known for having a place on makeup desks and in bathroom cabinets for decades and I remember growing up seeing my mum use the products from a young age. Growing up I was always fascinated by my mum’s beauty routine, which then progressed to using beauty products and makeup myself from the age of 12, to now being able to work in the industry I’ve had such a passion and interest in has felt like such a natural progression and I truly feel I belong working for the brand.
In my current role I’ve had such amazing opportunities that have only reinforced my love for my job, my favourite was being invited to the No7 labs in Nottingham and seeing how products go from an idea on a piece of paper, to the scientists spending countless hours developing formulations and then finally the finished product being manufactured and shipped across the country. Seeing this process and being able to speak with the scientists behind the brand was so interesting and inspiring as it was my real glimpse behind the curtain of the beauty industry and showed me just how important the science behind skincare truly is.
How do you inspire and motivate your team to promote positive working environment?
As a No7 Business Manager, I believe the most fundamental part of creating a positive working environment is leading by example, striving for an engaging workplace where everyone knows they will be heard and always celebrating each other’s successes. My team is motivated by friendly competition which works well for us as we are all working towards for a common goal. I champion open communication within the team so that, when we are faced with challenges my team feel comfortable sharing ideas and proposing possible solutions. I believe collaboration is one of the key ingredients for success as a team and if everyone feels they can share their ideas and thoughts on how to improve this contributes to a motivational and positive workplace.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
I would have to say the most rewarding part of my role is making customers feel beautiful. Growing up and watching my mum do her makeup I was always fascinated by the ‘how’ and not so much the why. As a five-year-old I didn’t really understand why my mum would be put on pink lipstick and mascara, now being an adult I can see the confidence this gives so many people and how they feel ready to take on the day or attend a big event after a few simple products are applied. When I have a customer sit down in my chair, I hear things like “I don’t wear much makeup” or “I don’t have a clue where to start”, my favourite thing is putting them at ease, allowing them to be part of the transformation from start to finish and being someone they feel they can have a chat with. I’m naturally a talkative person so I love being able to chat with customers and find out what type of makeup they like, the look they’re aiming for or even if there’s an occasion they’re going to afterwards. When I show them the finished product, I love seeing the happiness in their eyes and their cheeks lift into a smile and them leaving ready to take on the day.
If you could describe your work style in three words, what would they be?
Focused, Engaged and Positive
Where do you see your career progressing in the next few years?
I would love to become a No7 trainer, one of my favourite aspects of my job is product and service training. I thrive on engaging team members and teaching them new things, while also educating myself on new product launches. I think this would feel like a natural progression for me, as I have always shown a huge interest in product formulation and the science behind certain ingredients and products as well as the best application methods and the different ways makeup products can be used and applied. The idea of visiting different stores, meeting new people and sharing this passion with them sounds like an amazing experience for me and a role in which I could really thrive in and enjoy.
Lastly, which is your favourite No7 product?
As I am prone to freckling and sun damage on my face, I would have to say the Future Renew Serum was a game changer for me. Constantly sitting in the sun as a teenager started to show its effects on my skin a few years ago. What started as light freckles has now grown into large areas of pigmentation. Of course, now I wear SPF 50 but the only thing I have found that dramatically reduced the skin damage that had already occurred was Future Renew. I absolutely love the serum and can use it day and night as well as underneath my makeup which I find so easy and convenient. I also found when comparing Future Renew to other products that promise to ‘remove dark spots and pigmentation’ these products had contained ingredients that were much harsher on the skin, having done a lot of research into these products, it has reinforced my belief that Future Renew Serum is the best for me and because of this I find it so easy to recommend to customers who are experiencing the same problems.
