Kicking off season 5 with Liana Blomquist, talking about her passion for beauty, her journey to creating an incredible sustainable beauty brand Botanical Rooftop!
ROOFTOP BOTANICALS ROSE & HYALURONIC ACID MOISTURIZING SERUM | 35ML/1.18 FL. OZ. $45.00 - this is what I have been using.
This is PART 1 of 2
@rooftopbotanical
Hit me up with your chat/questions @choosandfashiondoos
Kicking off season 5 with Liana Blomquist, talking about her passion for beauty, her journey to creating an incredible sustainable beauty brand Botanical Rooftop!
ROOFTOP BOTANICALS ROSE & HYALURONIC ACID MOISTURIZING SERUM | 35ML/1.18 FL. OZ. $45.00 - this is what I have been using.
This is PART 1 of 2
@rooftopbotanical
Hit me up with your chat/questions @choosandfashiondoos
Welcome back to real beauty with FD. We are officially on to season. Five, which is. Wild. Um, so if you were sticking with me as a loyal listener since season one, Amen to you. And I very much appreciate all of the support. But I feel like I can only blame it on the incredible guests that I've had the opportunity to interview. And there'll be many more and I continue to do this. Um, it has definitely been. A crazy couple of months. I only meant to take account a month off and then I was gonna kick off the season. But, um, To be honest, I'm unsure. Where time has gone.<laugh> it has been. Very hectic. And I know I'm not the only person feeling. That pain right now. So for all of you, let's just take a deep breath. We can do this. Um, and I say this. After, let me just explain the I'm having. Firstly, our eight week old poppy is currently trying to tear down. The curtains in my closet room. So that's awesome. Secondly, I actually just recorded this introduction. But I forgot to plus record<laugh>. And this has been the positive part of my week. It has definitely been. One of those where you kind of question. Your career, why you are doing what you're doing, why you continued to push. Um, I am a typically. Very positive person. Um, it takes a lot to get me to a point where I'm feeling a little bit cynical, but. I will say I'm not there yet. Don't worry. Um, but it's, it's definitely being. Hard. Um, and again, I'm voicing this cause I know I'm not the only person kind of feeling. This way sometimes. And I know when I listen to kind of other podcasts, just to hear people say out loud, you're like, oh, thank God. It's not just me.<laugh>. It's okay. We can all have these days, right. Um, but what else has been happening? Well, I finally got COVID I managed the last two and a half years. And I finally got it. Um, And my daughter Luna rose was just. So amazing. Um, I did not feel good for a couple days. And annoyingly. I still don't have my full sense of smell back and it's been about month. So that sucks cuz I'm definitely the type of person I like to smell everything. Um, so I'm hoping that will come back. ESOP. Um, what else? I'm sure you all are just like, please just get to the first guess this is not why we listen to it, but I do have a couple things I wanna say. So my skin has been. Horrific, probably the worst it's ever been. And I'm going to blame just. Maybe feeling a touch rundown. Definitely not feeling the best. Um, stress. I think my hormones have been a little bit all over the place. Um, and honestly, I feel like I've tried so many different products. I did get the best facial from skin day spa in Houston. Which, oh my gosh. Um, Chelsea is incredible. I highly recommend and is. Very reasonable rates. Um, but I've also started. Using it's, um, house of wise. Um, C B D face serum. And luckily, um, I was actually introduced to it because I got the opportunity to interview the CEO, Amanda. So you'll be able to hear that, um, in the next couple of episodes, but it has made such a difference. And one of the things I never appreciated with CBD is whatever it's kind of paired up with. It amplifies it. So it has definitely made. My skin a lot more glowy, but my main complaint was it was just breaking out. It was horrible to be honest. So that has definitely made a difference. And then secondly, Lay just to end this introduction on a high. the other day, actually it was yesterday. I was in, um, We are kind of rolling out our culture. So I get to, um, be part of this and help facilitate it, which honestly, I love it. It's definitely a great part of my role. And I'm really trying to lap up everything about it and see great leaders. And. Really kind of see how I can. Kind of take, take the advice and their kinda. They're kinda, um, career perspectives to kinda assist me with my career development. Um, but someone walked past me and they had the most. Stunning, like probably the nicest issues I think I've ever seen outside of the pair of. Gold sparkly boots. I have. And immediately. I found girl Bon over to her. And I was like, girl, where did you get those shoes? Of course they were Jimmy shoes. Chews, of course they were.<laugh> and I thought, oh, Please tell me you didn't buy them full price. And she said, no. I bought them a couple of weeks ago and I was like, okay, it's fresh. This is doable. And I was like, where did you get them from? She said, sex. I was like, okay, let me see what I can do. So I literally sat down. I was beyond distracted. I searched everywhere. I even texted like Jimmy chew lady. She didn't have them. I was like, oh my gosh, this is the worst. And I finally. Found a pair. They were 60% off. And listeners, I got a further 20% off. So a semi bargain. Define your bargain, right? For me. Great bargain. And it was my only laughed. Was my size. So guys, it was meant to be, it was fate that this happened.<laugh>. So nothing's changed. I continue to aid my. Fashion and spending addiction, which I really need to curb, but anyway, that's a different story. Maybe I should interview someone that will help me kind of keep my. Shit together and, you know, not spend so much money. Just on stuff, but y'all know, I very much appreciate it and I enjoy wearing it. So why would you not right. Like Yolo. Okay. So on that note, I'm gonna stop chit trying, cuz whoever is still. With us. I appreciate it. Like genuinely appreciate it. And I know you're not here to listen to me. So let's go straight into. Episode one, a season five. And I hope you enjoy it. I'm always willing to hear your feedback as long as it's positive. Only positive vibes here. If you haven't realized this. But seriously, I very much appreciate the sport. So enjoy.
Francene:How how's your day been?
Liana:It it's been good. Um, just actually one of the first, like computer days that I've had in a while, like where I've been able to just like sit down and actually get some computer work done. Um, I'm usually like running around on the roof for like formulating stuff when like my little lab over here, so it's can get a little crazy. So I'm like, oh my God.
Francene:I bet. I'm sure it's nice. Just to kind of mix it up though. Like to be able to like, do something and be able to like see the formula and kind of work on it and not just be stuck in front of a computer. yeah. No pros and
Liana:cons, right? Yeah, no, it's awesome. Like I love. I love what I do obviously. And like, yes, I love the variety because it's, every day is different. Every day I'm doing something different. It's just when, obviously when you have priorities, um, you know, and you're, you're trying to figure out like what to focus on and, you know, you know, there's stuff that you have to work on and you can't get there yet. And you're like, oh God, like I'm just, so today was good that I just. Sit down, but how are
Francene:you? good. Um, I hear you on the priorities. I feel like I, um, I was just telling my husband, I went into work today and was like, okay, I have a light day. I feel like I can actually get some like strategy done. And I walked away. I was home late because I created another task for myself. That was my own fall. I opened my mouth and was like, Hey, we should be looking at X. And I have found long lists. Things to do, and now I've just added to it. And I was like, the only person to blame was me. mm-hmm I was like, oh, I need to learn to like, prioritize the stuff I'm working on. But I feel like my mindset was like, what else can we do? I know,
Liana:I know really bad, bad habit. Totally get you with that. It's. Yeah. Even like now I was on my computer, like researching ingredients and like other ingredients. And I was like, but what about this? What if I looked into that? And I was like, oh my God, I'm going crazy.
Francene:it's it is so hard. Um, but Hey, let me officially welcome you to the podcast. Um, and thank you so much for taking time out. Um, I know you had sent me over the gel moisturizer, which we will go into in a bit more detail and I've been using it religiously. So I have been super excited about, um,
Liana:talking you
Francene:so right here.
Liana:Oh my goodness.
Francene:So welcome to real beauty with that game. A place where we discuss what BT means to us, whether it's a product that sells out every second around the world, or it's a cult classic to discussing body positivity, to building incredible brands. We are here to find your little black dress in skincare, makeup, and more importantly, promoting happiness within your own skin and owning it. So each episode and bring in a new personality to discuss all things, beauty and touch on their inspiring stories, which I know Joran is gonna be great. Um, so this week we have the founder and CEO,, of Brooklyn rooftops. Leanna bloom quest,
Liana:right? Yes, correct.
Francene:One of the quotes that I saw, um, on your, um, Instagram is growing on rooftops to bring beauty closer to home. So please tell me more about your incredible company.
Liana:Yeah. So Brooklyn rooftop botanicals. Um, I'll just say rooftop botanicals for short Um, cause it's a mouthful. Uh, and we're probably gonna get into that name or use that name going forward to, so yeah, to have more possibilities in this world cause we have big, big, big dreams. Um, so we, we basically, I started it, uh, back in 2000 and like 18 and it was initially just an idea, um, with lots of D. Past that I wasn't quite sure what I wanted it to be, but when I, yeah, back then I was working, um, at Revlon and Elizabeth Arden and I was doing global marketing and product development. And I loved my job. I, I really did, but I really saw how. You know, just how much packaging we were creating, just, you know, how irresponsibly we were sort of sourcing our ingredients. Um, yeah. And unfortunately it's not just, um, you know, Revlon, it's everybody, it's literally everybody. And even the small mom and pops, like they don't even know where their ingredients half the time come from. And you'll talk to the vendors that, you know, you're sourcing these ingredients from and they don't even know where their ingredients come from. So it's like a vicious cycle. That's crazy. So for me, I was like, oh my God, there has to be a, there has to be a better way for this. Um, so at the same time, back then, I was also gardening. Um, and you know, I really fell back in love with it. Let's say just because I, I grew up in gardens, my mom gardened. Um, and I grew up actually, uh, in the south of France, in a place called glass, which is per yeah. Perfume capital of the world, uh, a U and a UNESCO world heritage. So I was really surrounded by beautiful gardens and the perfume gardens of the south of France and everything. And you know, when I started gardening on my, on my rooftop here, when we first, when we first got it, I was, you know, initially just gardening, little vegetables and some flowers here, but then I got like really obsessed with it. I was like, oh my God, what if I could grow beauty? Um, and then, you know, create extracts and make products out of. So that's where the ideas burned. And, you know, for a while I was kind of working on the concept, like, what could it be? Was it, you know, actually making products or consulting other people to make, you know, yeah. Grow, you know, grow on their rooftops. So I kind of like went in a few different directions while still continuing to work. Um, and then end of 2019 is when I kind of left my job and, you know, still kind of was doing consulting projects here and there. And really, I would say it was like beginning of last year that I really went full force on. Um, so last year I grew a bunch of beauty botanicals over like 50 different ones. Uh, and then I processed them. I tested them. Um, I tested formulations. Uh, and so the first product that you have there, the gel moisturizer, um, is, uh, the first of that. And there's more to come of course. Um, yeah. And just to kind of go back to the quote you were referring to. Yeah, for me, like the business, just kind of. Became this concept where for me, I just really wanted to bring ingredients closer to home. Like, that's just the main goal of it. Um, so starting with botanicals, um, but there are tons of other things, so botanical extracts, but there are tons of other ingredients that you can make out of things that you grow, um, such as glycerin, which is like the second most used ingredient. In a lot of skincare products, hair, product, everything, your personal care products has like mostly glycerin and it can be made out of flax, um, flax seeds and flax seeds, as we know, like the seeds themselves are edible. Yeah. Um, and they're huge, like super food, but the flax plant itself also, um, can be turned into line. so something else that can, you can use that plant for. And then the third thing that the seeds do also is, um, yeah, if you, if you, um, press them, uh, in a high pressurized system, you can make glycerin out of them. Mm-hmm so again, it's like there's yeah. There's tons of things like that. Like, and like wheat and corn can be then made also into Z and gum, which is another ingredient that is extremely widely used in skincare and beauty products. So it's just kind of. Okay. I'm, I'm starting to research and understand like more and more things that you can make out of, out of, um, out of plants. Um, and so it's not just pub botanicals. I wanna do. And it's and, um, sorry, not just extracts. I also wanna do other ingredients too, but starting here first. God,
Francene:that's, that's amazing. I didn't know that. Um, that's, it's interesting. And that was gonna be one of my questions is how do you know what ingredients did you. Use and be able to grow, but that's
Liana:incredible. Yeah. Yeah. And it's a very good question. And it's like a complicated one because yeah. Um, it's just takes just a lot of time and research to go through all of the, I would say known beauty botanicals. Yeah. Like the roses and the Cama meals and the things that like, just have a lot of usage out there. Yeah. Um, but then going through the kind of like. Not necessarily known ones that are actually extremely, um, extremely widely used out there in the agricultural world, but then people just don't like link in, link it to beauty or associate cuz it's mostly food byproducts, but you don't realize that your food byproducts also are beauty ingredients. So it's like you like link it. Um, but yeah, and it's, it's all, so, so yeah,
Francene:That's so cool. And even from, um, cuz I know you look at like sustainability from like packaging too. Yeah. Um, which, you know, I think like I've certainly seen the beauty industry over the last couple of years, especially be more mindful or a bit more conscious of like packaging and to your point, I see more kind of beauty brands coming out and really being. Conscious of here are the ingredients and you should be checking the ingredients, which I think is kind of making that shift. Um, but certainly not to the extent of, you know, like I'm looking at the ingredients, like in front of me and I'm able to, you know, at least kind of understand a bit more of what's kind of going into it and how it's kinda homegrown or, you know, it's more natural, which I think mm-hmm as you know, A generation. I think we're a lot more conscious of that, which is good. So we
Liana:should be yes, no, exactly. Um, and yeah, I think, you know, my whole, my whole thing in terms of, in terms of the packaging, cause that was your initial, like yeah. Link into this. It was, you know, for me, for me, it's like, I, I just want people to just be exactly more conscious about how they're using their beauty. And how they're buying it. And like, then how are they gonna then use that packaging afterwards? Or like yeah. Be, be, or have an understanding of what they're gonna do with it afterwards. Right. It's like really being conscious throughout the entire process. So when it comes to packaging for me, like I chose aluminum, like for the bottle that you're. Yeah. Yeah. I love it. That you're holding because aluminum is, uh, the most recyclable material out. But something that's really cool about that bottle as well is actually when you're done, you can actually pull the dropper apart and pull like the pipette apart and you can wash the pipette, uh, put it all back together and you can reuse that bottle again. Yeah, that's true. So, yeah. I tried to have like a reusability standpoint around it too. Um, because for me, it's like, I also want to teach people how to grow their own things, how to make some of their own extracts or oil infusions or, you know, floral waters. And they're not as difficult as people's, you know, Make it seem to be because, you know, they think, oh my God, ingredient and chemistry and whatever. It's all crazy. Yeah. But like, there are like very easy aspects to it. So, you know, I think a lot of people should be growing some of their own extracts and then just using it in their daily lives. Um, So, yeah, definitely. Um, definitely trying to like push that consciousness, trying to, you know, educate people on, being more conscious in all of my content. Um, and kind of like living that through what I'm doing with, by growing my ingredients and choosing my packaging and, and trying to find those, those ways to, to, yeah. To, to be reusable sustainable, um, and all. No, it's
Francene:it. It's incredible. And, um, for everyone listening and we'll give details in the, the notes, um, at the end of the podcast, but like looking at your website, it very much is educational on, like, here are the other things that you should be like considering, and, um, you know, really kind of giving more context to it instead of what I've seen, you know, other kind of brands do. Like they mention the names like sustainability and recycle, but you don't really get the context or, you know, kind of what that company's doing in order to do that. Right. Um, And, you know, I'm in the oil and gas industry. Um, and at the moment we're kind of going through this rebranding, like all companies on that sustainability and, you know, what does that future energy look like? So not oil, like energy mm-hmm Um, and even I see it through like doing market research that, you know, companies talk about it, but it doesn't necessarily mean that they're actually, you know, putting the actions. Progress. It's just sometimes can just be everyone else is speaking about let you know, let's do the same. So, um, yeah. It's definitely real looking at your brand and your company.
Liana:Yeah. Which is great. Yes, exactly. I think a lot of brands because they're not there, they're not going fast enough. They're literally just going through whatever they possibly can and finding any step possible that they possibly can. That tells the story that they need to tell for the moment until they can get to the point where they need to be. Um, it's unfortunate. It's an unfortunate truth. Um, and. but that's where what's important for me is that I'm trying to start the process from the beginning. Right. Instead of trying to backtrack yeah. Into, into, um, into sustainability, I'm starting from the beginning because I am a new company and I'm able to do that. A lot of these bigger brands can't um, and they have investors, of course. So like they, you know, the investors are obviously looking for profit and you know, their, their shares of money. Yeah. Of course. Um, so for them, it's like, you know, it's, it's difficult to kind of say, okay, well we're gonna spend like X amount or whatever to redo our processes, to bring like, you know, our manufacturing in house to grow things on like roof, you know, imagine like if all the beauty companies were doing that. No, for sure. It would be. It'd be hard for them to then say, okay, well, like you're you guys, aren't gonna make money or anything for the next 3, 4, 5 years. And you know, maybe you'll see profits in the future, who knows, but, but our planet will be fine.
Francene:nobody cares. no, it's, it's true. And I think, um, it's another thing that kind of sets. Um, like you apart, um, on, you know, this journey and again, just kinda the education piece, but, um, you know, looking to make sure that everything's clean. Um, so one of the things I did wanna say is, um, I've actually only used a gel moisturizer once before, and I love it so much better on like the consistency. I don't know what it is, but I feel like my skin. Soaks the up and I'm in Texas. So it is humid. Yeah, it is very hot. Um, so I feel, and I'm originally from Scotland, so my skin was very dry in Scotland and we moved here eight years ago and instantly I've got like Oly skin, but I feel like. Immediately when I put it on my skin was like,
Liana:yes. Yeah, no, exactly. Actually I formulated that last summer. Um, and I have like a kind of mixed oily, like hormonal acne type skin. Yeah. So I formulated it for myself. Of course, cuz I was like, yeah, because I, I suffer from this and I I've always suffered from not finding the right moisturizer for me. It always felt like. Especially in the humidity of New York, because it gets just as humid here in the summer. You know, I just felt like it was always on top of my skin. Yeah. And like, not really going in, clogging in. I don't know. I was always like, just slipping off. Yeah. Um, so I formulated for myself and, you know, for me, like last summer it was just like amazing. Like I just, my, my skin was glowing, um, the entire time. And I was like, this is a great formula. Now that being said, like, it's, it is a very, very lightweight gel moisturizer. And so a lot of the ingredients are all about kind of like soaking in quickly and like locking in that. Sure. Um, but for people who have like a little bit more dry, flaky skin, like, and who, and I feel like a lot of other people that have been, um, trying it up here, like over the winter time, like, it wasn't, it wasn't necessarily enough for them. So that's, that's the thing. Um, you know, that, that I was like, okay, great. Like at least, you know, I know I'm, I'm targeting like one person with oily skin and who's gonna be probably loving it more in like humid areas. But also during the summer, Which is, which is great because I mean, skin. Actually, you really shouldn't be using this same skincare all the time. Cuz it, you know, your skin will have different needs at different times because of the, the changing yeah. Air temperature, like pollution, like depending if you're out in the countryside or in the city. Um, so for me I'm like. Honestly, like when it comes down to it, I'm like, you know, actually I feel like a lot of people could use this gel moisturizer here in New York during the summertime, but maybe change into something a little bit heavier during the winter time. So that's something I'm looking into actually. Oh, that's awesome. Laters. Awesome. Yeah. Oh my gosh.
Francene:More, more to come, but I'm actually glad you said that. Um, cause I'm a big, um, I guess promoter of depending on how your skin is and not just to switch and change, you know, day to day. But I think is knowing the weather conditions, knowing the time of year, even like for me, the time of months, that completely changes what my skin needs. And I'm like, you mentioned hormonal, I get a lot of pimples around. Um, chin and it's consistent every month. And I always get this big one and it's taken like years to be able to kinda put together a good enough skincare routine where I can switch and change, but at the same time, mix it up. Cuz I think that's what's key as well is, um, And by doing that, you have like summer and then winter. Like I agree. Um, but you're like the first person I've spoken to that has raised that. Um, yeah. So I'm glad it's not just me. no. Yes. Someone else
Liana:for me, that's that's. That's like not women say common sense, but like, I dunno for me, it's common sense. I'm like, yeah, yeah, of course. Like, you know, like depending on where you are and how things are, and, you know, it's, I mean, for, even from like day to day, like yeah. New York can go from like super, super dry, like in the summertime and super, super hot to like super superhu. So like, even then, like, I'll need like a little bit of extra whatever I'll change, like from a day to day perspective, depending on like, what is really needed. Um, So definitely when I'm in the change of, in the change, in, um, in temperature throughout the seasons, like I'll, I'll definitely switch around and, and see what I'm, what I'm needing. Then you. Yeah. Also to address also address like the, the kind of seasonal things that you are using more of like sunscreen, for instance, more of in the summertime, you know, and you have a little bit more of like your skin particles clotting up your skin and et cetera. So definitely in the fall and winter time and moving more towards kind of like renewal acid type serums to help kind of like get the gun out, you know? Oh yeah. For. Versus in the spring. I'm definitely not doing that. I'm a little, well, you do it a little bit. I do it a little bit because then after the whole, the whole winter time, I obviously have dry Flay skin. So it's like a little bit just to renew it, but not too much. Yeah,
Francene:it is. Um, it it's crazy how many products. Are out there and it can get so confusing with, wait, what is it that I need? Like, what's the base skincare, and then you talk about face mask and peels and other things. But, um, I just bought myself it's um, I think it's by the ordinary. I think the, and it's their, yeah, it's their appeal. Um, where you leave on for 10 minutes now you take. Oh, my gosh, it has made a significant difference and you're right. Like over winter, I didn't really do anything. And I did it the other day and I was like, wow, maybe my skin needed it.
Liana:yeah. Feels chemical peels are, are magical. Um, yeah, for sure. They're really great. Um, And I'm definitely looking at doing something like that in, in one of my next launches as well.
Francene:but oh, amazing. Then I will be your number one customer. Now I see the benefit for sure. Um, so. You mentioned, um, I know you were kind of doing consulting work and, and still working, and then you kind of took that. Um, okay. Now, you know, this is it kind of full time? Mm-hmm how was that? I can't imagine how kind of daunting unexciting that process must have been to kind of be like, okay, this is now my baby.
Liana:Yeah, it was terrifying. it was terrifying. And I, I guess I would say like, I, I was doing those extra consulting, the extra consulting work as kind of like a, a crutch, you know, I was like holding. Yeah. I was holding onto like the extra consulting and like staying in like the whole branding, um, you know, marketing type of consulting, cuz I, I was scared to just take the leap. Um, and yeah, it was, it was terrifying, but I was also, I'm also so passionate about what I do, uh, and so excited and, you know, over the last, you know, 3, 3, 4 years now, I just see how far I've come. Like I've actually launched, I've actually launched a product. I'm like, wow. like, that's so incredible. Yeah. You kind of, you know, when you really, I, I feel like I'm never doing enough of course, because that's what all, you know, entrepreneurs feel. Yeah. They're like, oh, I failed because I didn't do this on this, on this date or whatever. When you actually look back at all of the work you've done and all the knowledge that you've accumulated, it's like, I'm very proud of myself. Um, but every day is still terrifying because you're still having to deal with all the unknowns that's gonna happen. And. You know, still working to, to get your product out there and, and gain awareness. So
Francene:I'm sure. Oh, I, I bet. Um, but to your point, I mean, you definitely should be very proud, um, of what you've accomplished, but I'm sure having the experience, you know, being global marketing and, you know, kind of looking at the strategies and kind of product innovation, um, I can only imagine it's maybe fast tracked you to know what to do, like what not to do. Like you've seen, I'm sure you've seen products be like, okay, that was not as successful. And this is why, um, to hopefully kind of bring that experience into kind of creating this company.
Liana:It's like a yes and no there, because you would think that like, yes, I have like the general overall understanding of everything. Yeah. Um, but because like, everything is so fast, there's not a lot of time for strategy. Um, like I'm always like going on to the. Things. So it's very hard for me to sit and actually sit and analyze and really understand like, what exactly is going on? Where did it go wrong and how to fix it? Or, you know, it's like takes, so where, you know, while a big company you have like lots of people to do all these different things for you, right? Like I had a designer, I had a packaging person. I had an, you know, an, um, an R and D team. I had all of like the help I needed the copywriters, whatever to put for me. It's like, you know, I don't have all this. So I'm trying to like pull everything together and, you know, not overthink it. Whereas in a big company you have time to think you can, oh, that's true. Sit. And like room rate, like, oh my God, the amount of times, like I spent, you know, just like looking over pieces of copy, you know, over and over and over again, like. Back in the days. I don't have the time for that. So it's like, okay, well they might work or might not. Who knows how we'll see
Francene:and you're taking the agile approach to the next level. yeah. Which is probably like, to your point. I mean, I work for a huge organization and I feel like we continually talk about the same thing and I'm like, okay, Let let's, let's go. Let's go. Where is you're the, the other extreme of like, okay, I need to go, like, we're, we're just gonna try this. Um, yeah. Which is awesome. Um, but yeah, I can't imagine how hard it must be to kinda do the majority of this yourself.
Liana:Yeah, no, exactly. I mean, I have, I have help. Um, and I think that's also where actually my, my, my large corporation experience helped is actually to manage people and to work with cross functional teams and to really link and to, and to connect people together because, you know, I'm able to now work with some other people. Um, I do have a few interns. I do have some other. Um, consultants who are helping me here and there with some things. Yeah. So it's, it's been a, it's helped me to manage that in, in a, in. In a clear and efficient way, but still I'm still all over the place. So it's like, cause I'm just always fast paced so, I mean, you can ask them at some point, you know, is Leon doing a good job managing you guys? I hope