We recently connected with Leanne Kampfe and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Leanne, thanks for joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

When I was growing up, going to college wasn’t just an option—it was an expectation. My high school years were focused on that goal, and once I got to college, my primary focus shifted to preparing for a career that would allow me to support myself after graduation. That singular focus had both positives and drawbacks. On the one hand, it helped me succeed as a student, earn a full-ride scholarship (a necessity given my family’s financial situation), and land a job in education after graduation—a field I’ve now worked in for 29 years.

On the other hand, this narrow focus limited how I viewed the world. There are countless ways to make a living and just as many paths to finding happiness. While I’m incredibly grateful for my career in education, my recent dive into the world of small business ownership has opened my eyes to new possibilities and sparked a creativity I wish I had embraced earlier in life. Imagine if I had started thinking this way before the age of 51!

To prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career, I believe our educational system needs to prioritize instilling a love of learning while encouraging exploration and curiosity. Students should see education as a foundation—not just for securing a job but for discovering opportunities, imagining new possibilities, and designing the lives they want to lead. If we can create systems that foster this kind of growth, we’ll be setting our children up not just to succeed, but to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve been working in the beauty and accessories industry for nearly eight years. My business, All That Glitters, offers two main product lines: SeneGence beauty products and permanent jewelry. While these ventures may seem different, they share a common thread—they both began with my love for the products. I’ve always believed in approaching everything I do with integrity, whether it’s my decades-long career as an educator or my side hustle as a business owner. That commitment has guided me through every step of my journey.

I know direct sales often get a bad rap, and in some cases, that criticism is warranted. But I also believe that life is what you make of it. My work with SeneGence has never been about recruiting others or chasing numbers; it’s been about the quality of the products and the results they deliver. I’ve maintained a loyal customer base, many of whom have been with me since I started in 2017, and I engage with them through an active Facebook group and email list. I’ve also welcomed new customers who discover me through the SeneGence website. Building these genuine connections has been a cornerstone of my success.

Permanent jewelry is a newer venture, and it’s been such an exciting addition to All That Glitters. Like my experience with SeneGence, I started down this path because I fell in love with the concept. The idea of jewelry that symbolizes connection and doesn’t need to be taken off spoke to me. After buying my first piece at a pop-up event and hearing about permanent jewelry parties, I was inspired to explore the business side of this art form. A few months of research led me to a training course and the purchase of my welder. By December 2024, I was practicing on friends and family, and I officially launched on January 1, 2025.

I’m proud to say my calendar is nearly fully booked through May with pop-ups, parties, and events—all while I continue working full-time as a school district administrator. The next few months will test my hustle and tenacity, but having held a job since I was 14 and earned a doctorate while working as a high school assistant principal, I’m confident in my ability to succeed.

My goal is to provide simple, high-quality products—whether it’s makeup, skincare, or a sparkling piece of permanent jewelry—served with a side of sass and practicality. I know today’s women don’t have time for nonsense, and I strive to make their experience as enjoyable and efficient as possible. What sets me apart is my personality, my commitment to exceptional customer service, and the strong relationships I’ve built over time. Many of the women who started with me as makeup customers in 2017 are still with me today, cheering me on as I venture into the world of permanent jewelry.

Through All That Glitters, I hope to offer beautiful, fun options for anyone who loves a little sparkle. Whether it’s through enhancing their natural beauty with skincare and makeup or helping them create a meaningful piece of jewelry they’ll treasure, my mission is to make them feel special and confident every step of the way.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built my social media audience starting with a Facebook VIP group. Initially, this group was made up of customers from a Facebook party I hosted, and I transformed it into my own dedicated space. At first, my posting was a bit random—definitely a few times a day, but without a cohesive theme or branding aesthetic. When I joined SeneGence in 2017, there was a boom in social selling, and many of us were navigating this new landscape together. Back then, I often used graphics from distributor groups, which worked but didn’t really reflect a distinct brand identity.

I created an Instagram account sometime after launching my Facebook business page, which I started about four months into my business. After six to eight months, my natural curiosity and role as a lifelong educator pushed me to start learning more about running a small business. I enrolled in online courses, participated in forums, and explored topics like branding, identifying your ideal client, and creating cohesive messaging. These experiences were pivotal in helping me understand how to build a strong and consistent social media presence.

For the past three years or so, my online presence has been much more consistent. I’ve established brand fonts and colors, and I plan my posts to create a predictable yet engaging experience for my followers. If I were starting over, I’d prioritize defining my brand identity earlier and aligning all my content to that vision. That said, I think I’ve been smart about focusing my efforts on Facebook and Instagram, as these platforms are where my ideal clients spend their time.

Social media can be a lot of fun, but it’s also a significant amount of work for a small business owner who’s juggling everything. Setting boundaries has been essential for me. It’s easy to feel like you need to do it all, but focusing on quality over quantity—and staying true to your brand—makes all the difference.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My latest adventure with permanent jewelry is a perfect example of a pivot. About three years ago, I expanded my offerings to include jewelry from another direct sales company. While I loved the pieces and introduced some of my customer base to them, the product line wasn’t as successful for me as I had hoped. While I was still working with that company, I started exploring the idea of permanent jewelry—a product that felt more unique and aligned with my personal vision. I made the decision to step away from the other jewelry line and focus on building something original to me.

So far, it’s been a fantastic move! My existing customers have shown more interest in this product, and I’ve been able to connect with new customers in ways I couldn’t while offering a direct sales product. With my permanent jewelry line, I’ve booked a wide variety of events, from craft fairs to pop-ups at local businesses, and the response has been incredibly encouraging.

While this isn’t the only time I’ve had to pivot in my career (I’m also an educator who led a school through the pandemic!), it’s certainly one of the most rewarding changes I’ve embraced. This journey has reminded me that taking a leap into something new can open doors you never even imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leannekampfe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanne.kampfe/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leanne.kampfe.ATG
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanne-kampfe-67104a52/