The Savvy Boss is a column in partnership with BossTalks where we sit down for a morning coffee chat with some of the savviest lady bosses from around the globe.
This week we had the pleasure to speak with Alina Mehrle founder of AMEON. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 30 and going through 8 rounds of chemotherapy, she was left with dehydrated and fragile skin.
It was a challenge to bring her skin back to life which inspired her 2 year journey to develop skincare formulas to solve this issue. She wanted to create products with an imaginative approach and offer powerful healing benefits that not only nourish your skin, but awaken the mind to allow your skin to reach its ultimate potential.
Just in time for the holidays, AMEON is offering a Radiance Set and Retreat Set featuring their signature formulas!
Can you share a bit about your background and why you wanted to start AMEON?
I’m an interior designer who always dreamed of becoming a plastic surgeon and I’m on the board of architectural design company Asthetique based in New York. Design and self expression has always been something that touched my heart and my roots.
I’m from a family of professional artists and always knew my profession would be in the art field. I discovered the world of skincare and wellbeing much later when I was 30 years old and I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had 8 courses of chemotherapy and on my journey to heal and rejuvenate my skin my oncologist introduced me with cryotherapy. That is how AMEŌN started.
Did you have any mentors? Do you believe they are important when starting a business or in the business world?
I personally have no mentor, but I am inspired by a lot of strong women around me. I think it would be cool if I met someone in particular who could guide me and give advice, but I just learned it instead in a hard way.
What were the biggest challenges you had to overcome at the beginning of your career journey?
I think it was a fight for my life with cancer. This journey changes you forever. It makes you so vulnerable and fragile at the start, but very strong and purposeful later.
What’s one thing you’ve done (good or bad) in your life where you look back and say, “I can’t believe I actually did that?
The way I got my first job. I read some cool design magazine and it was an article about MTV television and their creative department. It was so inspiring, so I decided to put my portfolio on a disc and I sent it to them.
I didn’t expect it, but within a week they contacted me and offered me a job when I was 19 years old. The lesson I learned here is that it is always worth trying, no one succeeds if they are not trying.
What entrepreneurial hacks have you developed to stay focused and productive in your day-to-day?
I try to focus on progress and find good and happy things around me. It is also important to understand that business is a chain of obstacles and you are as good as your ability to wake up everyday and solve it and find fun and inspiration in this.
What are three tips you can give to someone who wants to get into the wellness space?
1. Make sure you have savings to support your dreams.
2. Be ready to hear no and be ok with that.
3. Be creative in a way you are solving the things. Everything has a solution – do not give up.
How do you define success?
When I feel balanced, happy and wake up with a smile every morning to me is success. Additionally, I think success is having the opportunity to take care of and help people you love.
What is your definition of a Savvy Boss?
Someone who is confident, creative, smart and supportive. Additionally, it is someone who makes everyone around them believe in themselves and feel like they a purpose in life.
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