We recently connected with Emily Alexandra Guglielmo and have shared our conversation below.

Emily Alexandra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Allow me to introduce myself as Emily, a once-known Florida Mermaid who has evolved into The American Mermaid, driven by an unbreakable bond with the ocean. Over the years, my roles as a diver, mermaid, and tireless advocate for ocean conservation have led me to a profound realization. This realization sparked the creation of a cosmetic line that not only enhances skin but also champions the health of our oceans and the preservation of delicate coral reefs.

The ethos behind my Emily Alexandra Cosmetics is a reflection of my deep-rooted commitment:
-I’ve meticulously developed these products from a vegan formula, upholding my reverence for animal life and environmental welfare.
-My unwavering belief in ethical practices led me to adopt a cruelty-free approach, ensuring that no harm comes from my creations.
-I’ve imbued my products with water-resistant qualities, ensuring their resilience even in underwater environments.
-Sensitive to diverse skin types, I’ve taken care to formulate hypoallergenic products that cater to individual needs.
-The innovative concept of being ocean-friendly underscores my devotion to responsible production and ecological harmony.
In the early months of 2018, I embarked on an ambitious endeavor by establishing “~[SupportingWater.org](http://SupportingWater.org)~,” a nonprofit organization that remains close to my heart. This initiative is a testament to my unwavering commitment to effect positive change. Through innovative means, it raises funds to provide clean drinking water to underserved communities in Third World Nations, a cause I am deeply passionate about.
My journey takes me far and wide, as I captivate audiences across the globe with mesmerizing Mermaid performances and appearances. Yet, my mission remains unchanged: to spread the message of Ocean Conservation and simultaneously shed light on the virtues of Emily Alexandra Cosmetics. This synergistic approach allows me to marry beauty with environmental responsibility, creating a meaningful impact.
What makes this journey all the more rewarding is the philanthropic aspect at its core. A significant portion of each sale of Emily Alexandra Cosmetic products is directly channeled to support the initiatives of ~[SupportingWater.org](http://SupportingWater.org)~. This virtuous cycle embodies my holistic philosophy, where each purchase becomes a step towards addressing critical global challenges.
In essence, my evolution from The Florida Mermaid to The American Mermaid encapsulates a story of transformation, innovation, and unyielding dedication. My cosmetic line and nonprofit organization stand as symbols of positive change, leaving an enduring imprint on the realms of beauty and environmental sustainability.

Emily Alexandra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Emily Alexandra Guglielmo is known globally as The American Mermaid formerly known as The Florida Mermaid. Through her years being a diver, mermaid, and ocean conservationist, Emily decided to create a cosmetic line that not only was good for your skin but safe for the oceans and coral reefs.

Her Cosmetic Products Are :

Vegan
Cruelty-Free
Water-Resistant
Hypoallergenic
Ocean-Friendly

In early 2018, Emily chose to create a nonprofit organization to raise money where she could bring drinking water to Third World Nations in new and creative ways. She named it “ SupportingWater.org “.

While traveling the globe performing Mermaid shows and appearances, she will continue to spread the word on Ocean Conservation while promoting brand awareness to Emily Alexandra Cosmetics.

A portion of each sale goes directly to SupportingWater.org

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale are crucial aspects of effective leadership. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

1. **Lead by Example:** As a leader, your actions set the tone for the team. Demonstrate the behaviors, work ethic, and attitude you expect from your team members.

2. **Clear Communication:** Regularly communicate goals, expectations, and progress updates. Transparency helps team members understand their role in the bigger picture.

3. **Empower and Delegate:** Give team members autonomy and responsibility in their roles. When they feel trusted and empowered, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated.

4. **Recognition and Appreciation:** Acknowledge and appreciate your team’s efforts and achievements. Celebrate milestones and individual contributions, both publicly and privately.

5. **Provide Growth Opportunities:** Support professional development by offering learning opportunities, training, and chances to take on new challenges. This shows that you care about their career growth.

6. **Constructive Feedback:** Offer feedback that is specific, timely, and focused on improvement. Help team members understand their strengths and areas for development.

7. **Foster a Positive Work Environment:** Create a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful workplace. Encourage collaboration and discourage negativity or toxicity.

8. **Flexibility and Work-Life Balance:** Be understanding of your team’s personal lives and provide flexibility when possible. Encouraging a healthy work-life balance can prevent burnout.

9. **Set Realistic Goals:** Avoid overloading your team with unrealistic expectations. Set achievable goals that challenge them without causing undue stress.

10. **Solve Problems Together:** Involve the team in problem-solving and decision-making. This not only shows respect for their input but also helps build a sense of ownership and commitment.

11. **Promote Team Bonding:** Organize team-building activities, outings, or workshops to strengthen relationships among team members.

12. **Address Concerns Promptly:** If there are conflicts or issues, address them promptly and professionally. Ignoring problems can lead to resentment and decreased morale.

13. **Provide Resources:** Ensure your team has the tools, technology, and resources needed to perform their tasks effectively.

14. **Lead with Empathy:** Understand your team members’ individual needs, challenges, and aspirations. Being empathetic can help you provide the support they require.

15. **Stay Positive:** Maintain an optimistic attitude even during challenging times. Your positivity can be contagious and uplift the team’s spirits.

16. **Celebrate Small Wins:** Acknowledge and celebrate even the small achievements along the way. This can keep motivation high during longer-term projects.

17. **Regular Check-ins:** Schedule regular one-on-one meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and individual goals. This personalized attention shows that you care about their success.

18. **Adapt and Evolve:** Be open to feedback from your team about your leadership style and make adjustments accordingly. Leadership is a continuous learning process.

Remember that each team is unique, and the dynamics can vary. Pay attention to your team’s specific needs and adapt your approach accordingly to foster a positive and motivated work environment.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

1. **Books:**
– “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries
– “Good to Great” by Jim Collins
– “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel
– “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel H. Pink
– “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman
– “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek

2. **Videos and Talks:**
– TED Talks by entrepreneurs and business leaders, such as Simon Sinek, Tony Robbins, and Richard Branson.
– Online courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning that cover topics related to management, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

3. **Essays and Articles:**
– Harvard Business Review: Offers a wide range of articles on management, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
– Medium: Many entrepreneurs and business thinkers share their insights and experiences through articles on Medium.

4. **Podcasts:**
– “How I Built This” hosted by Guy Raz: Interviews with founders and entrepreneurs about how they built their companies.
– “The Tim Ferriss Show”: Tim Ferriss interviews world-class performers from various fields, including business and entrepreneurship.

5. **Blogs and Websites:**
– Seth Godin’s Blog: Seth Godin shares daily insights on marketing, leadership, and business.
– Y Combinator Blog: Provides valuable advice for startups and entrepreneurs.

6. **Academic Journals:**
– Journals such as the “Journal of Business Venturing” and “Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice” publish academic research on entrepreneurship and business management.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://emilyalexandracosmetics.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyguglielmo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyalexandraguglielmo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/emilyalexandraguglielmo
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/emilyaguglielmo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@emilyguglielmo

Image Credits
All photos are owned completely by Myself ~ Emily Alexandra Guglielmo