We had the good fortune of connecting with Richard Lerma and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Richard, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking is something that we all do, right? Whether we know it or not, we all subconsciously make decisions that we’ve already thought long and hard about, played it over and over in our head and ended up making the decisions that we made because it benefited our dreams. Risk taking is what goal oriented people do on a daily basis because without doing so we would have achieved nothing. Lerma Lab a skincare company, has always been something in the back of my mind for years. I worked as an Art Director for an international beauty brand a long while ago and fell in love with the whole industry. Learning the ins and outs, formulations, marketing, branding etc. it was thrilling. To be a part of that and head of that was something that gave me great accomplishment in life. I soaked it in, learned everything I could from it. However, I knew it wasn’t something I was gonna do for the long run because I don’t think it was ever in my nature to be working under someone or for someone, other than myself. To me, that is risk taking. It’s not about you quitting something, or not liking something or even starting something but you realizing that it is OK to just, jump.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started Lerma Lab on a thought process of making skincare with simple ingredients. Ingredients everyone can pronounce and with ingredients you can count on with 8 fingers or less. Honestly, it all began with my having problematic skin and the lack of products that addressed these needs without having to use toxic chemicals. We studied numerous key elements that were effective in treating problematic skin. Ingredients that were safe, gentle and could be used with just about anyone. We developed a mostly all organic blend of ingredients to treat specific skin types. There’s no additives, fillers, or parabens. More of the need, less of the yuck. Through R&D (research and development) we developed mixtures that maximize natures natural healing processes. Whether it’s Organic Jojoba oil, Squalane, and Sweet Almond oil, our blends are carefully selected and with thought. Lerma Lab serums leaves your skin feeling soft, radiant and refreshed. As a start-up we’re dedicated to making all of our products on demand to insure that our customers get the finest products with pure active ingredients. Lerma Lab is proudly located in Houston, TX and all serums are 100% American made.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Houston, not only is it known for world class museums, theatre, ranks #1 in most spoken languages in the U.S. and food, but the racial and cultural diversity here is unsurpassed. It surprises a lot of people from their preconceived notions of Texas as a whole. The Montrose district is really great in my opinion. Filled with eclectic people that make it interesting and fun. The Menil Collection is world renowned for it’s historic art. The Museum district is unrivaled, with numerous museums and art galleries just within walking distance of each other. The parks, omg the parks. Houston is VERY green, filled with lush trees and foliage, it’s a haven for the outdoor types. Herman park, is like New York’s Central park, and Memorial park is filled with great nature trails. The arboretum is it’s own oasis. Houston has more restaurants per square mile than any other city in the U.S. Yes, it’s true, we were once known as the fattest city in America, but who can blame us when there’s such GREAT food everywhere you turn? I think of Houston as very metropolitan. It’s huge but not in a bad way. It’s filled with this sort of excitement and friendliness because the diversity it houses is like no other.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Of course there are people in my life that I owe gratitude towards. Listen, lordT knows how many dreams and ideas I’ve had over the years but the one thing that has not changed is the support and encouragement I get from my friends and family. My husband Rhett, who’s unwavering support has always been the one constant. My best friends Angel and Pablo who’s always there group thinking with me, sharing ideas with me and encouraging me, even when my ideas are constantly changing. Without out them, without that nourishing support in anyones life, that doesn’t benefit their own agenda, how do we get to where we are?

Website: lermalab.com
Instagram: @lerma_lab and @richard_lerma