Rooki Founder: Hayley Teo
Our ongoing collab with Rooki Beauty has given us the privilege to interview Hayley, the woman behind the brand. Armed with perseverance and driven by a passion for a skincare line that stands out, Hayley has made Rooki a name synonymous with skincare supercharged with superfoods. Read on to know more including how Hayley gets through the time of the month with her busy lifestyle.
The YY Women Series focus on individual woman sharing their stories and the results of using our YY products.
5 mins read
Q: How do you spend your time outside of work, and how do you de-stress from work?
Hayley Teo: To be honest, I’m kind of a workaholic and when I’m fully engrossed in work it’s difficult for me to break out of the productive trance. I love poring through the latest skincare research, even in my free time. But when I’m not doing that, you can find me watching documentaries on Disney+ and Netflix or exploring new places!
What gives you inspiration for work that requires creativity?
HT: Creative work is all about your willingness to explore, your enthusiasm and openness to new experiences. When it comes to formulation, I’m inspired by the natural world around me. Sometimes I look at a dish in a restaurant and I find myself wondering what it would be like if that dish was a skincare product! In fact, one of my products Green Pulp Paste Masque was actually inspired by green juice pulp. Another source of inspiration for me is the people I surround myself with. I am lucky to be surrounded by creative souls and talented formulators who are passionate about skincare and unafraid to try unusual ingredients.
What is the most important thing you learned from your career that can be shared with other women?
HT: A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. Looking back, despite the many challenges, starting Rooki helped me refine my processes and rethink some of my business strategies. I used to work only on whatever was most urgent, but now I try to prioritise the tasks that really matter. Every morning I decide what my most important tasks are. Time is limited, and when you figure out which tasks really propel the business, you have a much easier time.
Starting a company is challenging, what surprises you the most about entrepreneurship?
HT: How many people are rooting for you to succeed! It still surprises me sometimes how much people love Rooki and want to see the brand do well. And the best supporters are often your fellow entrepreneurs.
What is your approach to beauty and wellness?
HT: My approach to beauty and wellness can be summed up in 3 words: ingredients above all. The first thing I do when I pick up any beauty product is to comb through its ingredients list. I check to see how far the key ingredients are down the list, and if there is anything iffy about it. If something about the product is particularly impressive, I take notes too. And I’ll only create something I’ll want to use every day. The other thing that is really important when it comes to beauty and wellness is consistency. If you can keep your skin hydrated, avoid refined sugar and stay out of the sun, you’re probably ahead of 90% of the population.
How has your idea of beauty evolved over the years, from when you were younger to now? Any beauty icon?
HT: When I was younger, I focused a lot more on the exterior. Beauty had to have a certain look and I had restrictive ideals of beauty. As I got older and experienced more, I realised that beauty is more of a feeling. People who make you feel good, and are self-assured - that’s true beauty. The vibe of a person is a lot more important than their actual appearance. In terms of beauty icons, I really like Dolly Parton. She’s honest and funny. And Stevie Nicks. She was boho before boho was cool.
What's your current mood now? What contributes to it?
HT: I’m feeling optimistic. Despite the pandemic, Rooki has been doing well and I’m really thankful for all the support and the strong word of mouth.
How do you take care of your mental well-being?
HT: I take Fridays off to do exploratory work. I call it “Exploratory Fridays” and it’s one of the best decisions ever. I spend the day reading up about skincare trends, the latest buzz in beauty, new ingredients and research about things unrelated to skincare. It’s work with no KPIs. And it’s playful, purposeful work.
When you are about to have your period and during them, do you feel any difference in your daily behaviour? Mentally and physically? (or any noticeable PMS)
HT: I get mood swings whenever my period approaches. I have endometriosis, so periods are beyond painful for me. Mentally, I get brain fog and physically, I’m exhausted. Sometimes I can’t even stand up. It’s hard to concentrate when I’m on my period - even with strong painkillers.
What are the different approaches or remedies for periods passed down from your mother or other adult figures (or friends)?
HT: Avoiding cold water has to be the most popular one. It doesn’t make a difference for me, since my pain is literally caused by a medical condition. Eating chocolate helps me feel better emotionally though. Strangely, light exercise helps too. I think it’s because they both release endorphins which is a natural remedy for pain.
Are you still using those remedies? Or what remedies did you use to solve these problems before trying YY Period Care Routine?
HT: After years of period pain, I just take my vitamins, doctor-prescribed painkillers and relax. I snack on whatever I want and snuggle up with a good cup of tea. YY Period Care Tea is currently my favourite - I love the mild herbal taste and it makes me feel so comforted.
