Paula Weiser

What If and Why Not?

by David Wurth

What if and why not? This is the adventurous and fearless mantra that Westlake Village entrepreneur and community leader Paula Weiser lives by. Being a presence in the Uptown community for almost twenty years, she has been able to make an indention into the fabric of the area with her electric personality, two businesses and tireless charitable efforts.
If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Paula, you would have had a sense of familiarity before even shaking her hand. The warmth of her smile and her sense of enthusiasm for the world
are contagious.

Looking at the cup half-full is imperative to living a happy life and just as important when running a business…or two. Paula’s uplifting and radiant natural energy has helped propel her into leading two well-known Uptown companies, Beautyhabit (www.beautyhabit.com) and the appropriately named Weiser Creative Group (www.weisercreativegroup.com). While managing these two very different businesses, one personal care products and the other an award winning Advertising Agency, as well as sitting on the Executive Board of Ventura County based
nonprofit Support for the Kids, Paula manages to keep a stable balance of work and life. We asked for her insight into business, leadership and philanthropy, her love of Los Angeles Uptown, and what makes her such a successful member of the C-Suite.

Q: Why did you choose to locate your business in Westlake Village?
A: Westlake Village quite literally straddles the affluence of Ventura County and the abundant client base of Los Angeles County. Other companies such as Dole Foods, JD Power & Associates and K-Swiss have also found Westlake Village, with its proximity to Malibu, Calabasas and Agoura, not just a business-friendly environment with desirable demographics, but also a pleasant place to work with its open spaces and high-end amenities. And with Downtown Los Angeles only 40 miles away, big city business opportunities are relatively nearby, even though it may feel worlds away.

Q: How did you get into the beauty industry and what sets you apart from your competition?
A: It was my sister Teresa who deserves the credit. She wanted to share her obsession with high-end, quality products by offering her ‘finds’ online. Truly she is a pioneer in online beauty. Shortly after Beautyhabit.com’s inception, I was brought on as her partner to help her elevate the business and take it to the next level.

Together, our personal dedication along with our discerning tastes help to set us apart from our competitors. Our passion literally sends us around the globe searching for the best in beauty. Leading the way in launching new, trendsetting brands and products Beautyhabit is now synonymous with upscale, hard-to-find and niche offerings with impeccable customer service. What started simply as a one-woman company, has now blossomed into a thriving business that is internationally recognized.

Q: How do you manage both of your companies without one taking precedent over the other?
A: Although the two companies are quite different, they both offer organic outlets for my passions and strengths in a surprisingly synergistic way. At Weiser Creative Group, we are merchants of ideas, taking other people’s products and showcasing them in fresh and creative ways. Beautyhabit, on the other hand, offers tangible products that we make available to discerning clientele.

I’m curious by nature, and genuinely enjoy meeting new people and learning about their businesses. I love offering fresh perspectives on things that they themselves might be too close to see. It doesn’t hurt that I am an insatiable consumer myself, particularly fond of luxurious products! So, even if I didn’t own both businesses, I would certainly patronize them. The synergy is fully realized when Weiser Creative Group is able to design campaigns and collateral for Beautyhabit, and Beautyhabit’s constant interaction with a growing clientele allows Weiser Creative Group to see what sales and advertising approaches work best in an ever-changing marketplace.

Q: What are your favorite Uptown hangouts and out-of-town travel destinations?
A: Well, my friends have often referred to me as a “foodie”. This must be true, as many of my favorite places are restaurants! My local favorites include Mediterraneo, Saddlepeak Lodge, Bellavino Wine Bar. Moving into the L.A. area, I love Mozza, Campanile and Cut. Some of my favorite travel destinations are found here in Southern California. Every so often, I like to indulge and relax at the Bacara in Santa Barbara. If I have a little more time, I’ll travel a bit farther to the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. The property is absolutely breathtaking. And when I’m feeling adventurous, I’m off to in New York for some serious culinary experiences and, of course, shopping!

Q: Are you involved with any local nonprofits we should know about?
A: I have had the privilege of serving many nonprofit organizations over the past 20 years. Currently, I am on the executive board of Support for the Kids. This is an amazing organization created to offer tutoring and educational enrichment to underprivileged and foster care children in Ventura County. On May 18 we are hosting our 5th annual Taste of Our Town event at David Murdock’s home. The event features food from our community’s most celebrated restaurants, a live auction and a Ventura Farms Arabian Horse Show. I encourage everyone to attend.

Q: To whom do you attribute your work ethic?
A: On a personal level, my parents. Whether it was how my father ran his successful contractor’s business, or how my mother ran her successful household, taking pride in a strong work ethic was instilled in me from a very early age. My father’s attention to detail and my mother’s abundance of energy were merged into my personality that is evident in my daily work habits and approach to business. There is no problem too big and no detail too small.

On a professional level, I’ve taken great inspiration from CEO’s such as Steve Jobs and Jack Welch. Jobs’ aggressive commitment to Apple’s innovation and quality coupled with his ability to motivate and extract unprecedented levels of excellence from his employees are things I strive to emulate with both my companies. Welch’s tenure at GE proved that efficient fiscal policies
combined with streamlined managerial bureaucracies could improve not only competitiveness but product lines as well.
My own managerial philosophy is to hire the very best senior staff possible, give them clear mandates, allow them the freedom to innovate, hold them accountable and then get out of their way.

Q: Words of wisdom?
A: Start each day with “What if?” and “Why not?”. Never allow yourself to be limited to what others consider “impossible” or “even tried and true”. There is a creative aspect to every business venture. The key is imbuing it with your own unique point of view and philosophy so that each product, each idea, is intrinsically new. Genuine enthusiasm for your product is the greatest sales tool of all.

Weiser Creative Group is located at 3592 Willow Lane, Westlake Village. 818-707-2708. www.weiserlitho.com
Monday- Friday 8-6

Beautyhabit’s retail store is located at 2991 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks. 805-496-1011. Tuesday-Saturday 10-6

Beautyhabit Corporate Office and Warehouse is located at 3592 Willow Lane, Suite # 110, Westlake Village. 818-707-2555
www.beautyhabit.com
Monday- Friday 8-5