How Nurse Practitioner Jordan Harper Turned Skincare Tips into an 8-Figure Empire

Image Credit: Courtesy of Barefaced. 

Jordan Harper, a nurse practitioner hailing from Knoxville, Tennessee, didn’t set out to become a beauty industry leader when she started sharing skincare tips on Instagram back in 2015. Her initial goal was simple: offer easy-to-understand skincare education through her clinical perspective and attract more patients to her practice. Fast forward to today, and that simple goal has blossomed into Barefaced, a skincare company pulling in eight figures in its first year alone. Talk about a glow-up!

Harper explains, "At first, I was not trying to create a brand. I simply wanted to share skincare education in a way that felt approachable and easy to understand." Her ability to break down complicated skincare jargon into practical, trustworthy advice resonated with her audience. 

What’s truly inspiring for nurses everywhere is Harper's resourceful approach to building her empire. With zero prior business experience and no external funding, Harper got creative. She tapped into five 0% interest credit cards and rallied her Instagram community to fund pre-orders. This bootstrap approach shows that nurses can indeed turn specialized knowledge into thriving businesses, even if their initial capital is just a handful of credit cards and a dream.

The power of community was Harper's secret weapon. By nurturing relationships with her patients both online and in her clinical practice for five years, she had a ready-made audience excited for her products before they even hit the market. "I saw consistent revenue from the very beginning," Harper notes. "I truly believe that was because I had been educating my community, both in-office and online, for five years before launching Barefaced."

Quality Over Quantity: Lessons in Skincare and Nursing

Harper’s dedication to quality over profit is a lesson we can all take to heart, whether you’re managing a bustling med-surg floor or launching a skincare line. When a batch of 50,000 eye patches didn’t meet her standards, Harper scrapped the lot, a $100,000 loss and a six-month delay. "Technically, they were usable, and many brands might have moved forward, but they did not reflect Barefaced or our 'best-in-class' promise," Harper explains. Her commitment echoes the ethical standards nurses uphold every day.

Barefaced’s "less but better" philosophy challenges industry norms, which often focus on churning out product after product. Harper prefers to create exceptional quality and customer experiences. "The challenge is finding creative ways to curate experiences and build excitement that don't depend on endless launches or limited-edition drops," she reflects. 

The Heart of Nursing: Building Trust and Community

If you’re a nurse considering dipping your toes into entrepreneurship, Harper’s advice is golden: "Start building a community on social media as early as possible. Show your face, answer questions, and share the messy middle of your journey. People don't just buy products; they buy trust." This relationship-centered approach is something nurses excel at, whether comforting a worried patient or building a business.

Beyond the impressive financial success, what truly fulfills Harper is seeing the transformations in her customers’ confidence. "We've received thousands of before-and-afters over the years, but the ones that stay with me aren't just about skin—they're about confidence," she says. It’s like seeing a patient walk out with a spring in their step after recovering from an illness.

Jordan Harper’s journey from nurse practitioner to skincare powerhouse is a testament to how healthcare professionals can utilize their clinical skills, relationship-building expertise, and commitment to quality to carve out successful ventures. It's a reminder that the caring ethos at the heart of nursing can translate into any fieldd, even the world of skincare. So, if you've got a passion and a plan, who knows? You might just be the next nurse-turned-entrepreneur. 

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