IAM072 – Social Entrepreneur & Activist Empower Trafficking Survivors Through Employment

Deborah is a social entrepreneur and a human rights activist. She dedicated the last 10 years studying the issue of human trafficking and working on counter-trafficking measures at places like the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Prior to her work at the United Nations, she worked at a renowned European private institute for health. There, she successfully managed the health institute while gaining knowledge and experience in natural therapies and skincare based on Chinese medicine. Deborah founded Aurore to deliver a new and sustainable solution to combat the complex issue of human trafficking. Her focus is on empowering trafficking survivors and at risk individuals through employment. She adopts a bottom-up approach to help decrease the incidence of human trafficking by building stronger communities. She holds a BA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and a MA in Social Enterprise from the School of International Service at American University.

• CEO Hack: Morning meditation, cardio and eliminating electronics from sleeping area
• CEO Nugget: Letting go, life is a balance between making it happen and letting it happen, opportunity dances with people already on the dancing floor
• CEO Defined: Creating a new model and not just maximizing profit but helping to solve problems. Be strong and challenge the status quo and being fearless. Showing your heart and emotions as a leader.

Website: https://www.auroreskincare.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auroreskincare/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aurore_skincare/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-agustoni-7b0b211a/

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Intro 0:02

Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 0:27

Hello, hello. Hello, this is Gresh from the I am CEO podcast and I have a very special guest on the show today, I have Deborah Agustoni of Aurore SkinCare Deborah, it's awesome to have you on the show. But I wanted to do just read a little bit more about Deborah so you can learn a little bit more about all the awesome things that she's doing and she's accomplishing. So Deborah is a social entrepreneur and a human rights activist. She dedicated the last 10 years to studying the issue of human trafficking and working on counter-trafficking measures at places like the International Organization for Migration. Prior to her work at the United Nations, she worked at a renowned European private institute for health. There she successfully managed the Health Institute while gaining knowledge and experience and natural therapies and skincare. Based on Chinese medicine. Deborah founded Aurora to deliver a new and sustainable solution to combat the complex issue of human trafficking. Her focus is on empowering trafficking survivors and at-risk individuals through employment. She adopts a bottom-up approach to help decrease the incidence of human trafficking by building stronger communities. She holds a BA in conflict analysis and resolution from George Washington University and an MA and social enterprise from the School of International Service at American University. Deborah, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO yo community?

Deborah Agustoni 1:46

Yes, I am excited too.

Gresham Harkless 1:48

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Well, I know I read a lot about your bio, but I wanted to give you the floor just to see if you can tell us a little bit more about your CEO story and what led you to start your business.

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Deborah Agustoni 1:57

Sure, with pleasure. So abruptly, it really the by-product of an experience that I had an hour 11 years ago. That was the time that I traveled to Cambodia for the first time. And it was also the first time that I learned about this issue, that issue of human trafficking and the effects that it was having on entire communities over there. And I was particularly appalled, I must say, and shocked by the stories that I was hearing from the locals, especially the stories of some parents in these rural communities that result to sell their daughters to traffickers in order to make ends meet. And this story is that I learned they really deeply impacted me and I couldn't really make peace with this piece of information and the fact that, you know, some parents are even confronted with such a decision. And so needless to say that this experience really shook me to the core, and I knew then in there, that, you know, my life was going to take a different direction because of it. And I wanted to do something about this, this issue contributes to, in some ways to help decrease the incidence of this problem. And back then I really didn't know what, that something was, was going to be exactly.

And so at that time, as you said, you're reading my bio was actually working in Switzerland for this eye and Health Institute in Switzerland that used a unique combination of treatment and diet and organic skincare that in synergy aim to protect effectively the body from damage. And in toxic accumulation. And premature aging. Basically, there where I was working with this detox antiaging packaging that people were consuming, but just to say that this is where it gained the knowledge and you know, the experience and the passion for natural skincare and therapies. And most importantly, I saw the results on gas and on myself, and then became I became an avid consumer of, you know, effective and qualitative, natural and organic skincare products. But despite that passion for already working with anti-aging products and natural products back then 11 years ago, I took a step back. And because of that experience that I had in Cambodia, and, I left this job which I was passionate about also an in In this wellness world, and I decided to leave and move to the States actually and follow this calm that was started in Cambodia and find the final job that moved me in the direction of contributing to the eradication of modern slavery. And so fundamentally those stories I learned about oppression and abuse and The fact that slavery still exists made me restless and fueled the vision for a roar that later on, brought it into existence.

So I spent 10 years really doing a deep dive into this issue that it's quite complex. And it helped me to work and different organizations, including, you know, the organization, the International Organization for Migration, where I've worked in the tantra trafficking team. And during this time, these 10 years of immersing myself in the problem, I came to the realization also that, you know, we need new models, we need new ways to effectively solve this complex social problem that is slavery, which today is affecting over 40 million people worldwide. And ways that go beyond the traditional way of doing charity, if you will, models that create sustainable and long-term solutions where the survivors of human trafficking and those risks are really at the center and feel empowered and become self-sufficient, in essence. And so I found that our created the company, the social business, to reflect this new way of doing charity and philanthropy, which is really not about giving people living in poverty-free stuff, and you know, and outs but more as the old model, but more give people like jobs and so that they can earn their own money and make their own choices about what they want to buy. And this way, I believe that we can build strong communities that strong individuals, and then strong, strong communities as a result, and it's important, I think that individuals that have suffered so much can contribute actively to their communities and really create, they can create this bottom-up approach. And yeah, and sort of move away from this old aid and humanitarian model that has been the norm for the longest time. And so that's, that's, in a nutshell why Aurora came to life. Our work with Aurora is really to provide this opportunity and to show that there is a new day, you know, comes a new day comes to a new dawn, and with that, there is a new opportunity to build your life. And that's actually why we chose the name Aurora as well to represent that from the get-go because Aurora means it's the French word for dawn. So yeah,

Gresham Harkless 7:35

Okay, okay. And I guess, could you tell us a little bit more I know, you obviously have different groups that you're there as you're serving, of course. And could you tell us a little bit more on like, how drew or you help kind of serve the people that you work with and the clients that you work with?

Deborah Agustoni 7:48

Yeah, sure. So I should have said at the beginning, we are still at the beginning of phase development phase in so many ways. So the way we approached this is to basically partner with local anti-trafficking organizations because we A, we don't believe in reinventing the wheel if somebody else on the ground is doing the work has already, you know, the buy-in with the community and the buying with the government, because those are not easy countries to move into to operate. And so it's very important to have the local knowledge, the local know-how and so we partnered with experienced NGOs, and they basically helping us to they refer survive, so human trafficking and risk individual with them, they already worked. And those people are already past there, that's a first at least six months where they're, you know, still recovering from the trauma, they're still had to take care of their primary needs, so to speak. And so after that period, they're ready to start working. And so that's when we come in. And that's how we are basically approaching it, giving them work integrating them in our supply chain, and some and also providing them skills training, so that they are able to perform the job.

Gresham Harkless 9:10

Okay, that makes perfect sense. And now I want to ask you for what I call your secret sauce. And this is usually what I say is kind of like a differentiator or something that you feel like maybe you and your company are unique. Do you have like a secret sauce that you can kind of explain to us?

Deborah Agustoni 9:25

Sure. I think it's really three things that make us unique. And first, we are a skincare company and we are offering consumers a new formulation with a raw ingredient that is native to Cambodia, that contains powerful anti-aging properties. And we are in fact the first skincare brand that is commercializing this ingredient in anti-aging skincare and we're very excited because it's a botanical that has been already used and researched in the medical field. And so it already shows that the plant is rich and antioxidant substances and, you know, and we know that antioxidants that are the best fighters, you know, free radicals that are responsible for damaging ourselves and cause them to age as a result. So this is the product's secret sauce. Second, we also, and still on the product side, we also have been creating natural products that are severely safe. We purposely chose every noun and experience with the laboratory to conduct really top-notch research and development for our skincare formula and we eat, you know, we really want to bring to the market, the safest natural anti-aging skin care that abides by the European Union, safety, regulation and cosmetic, which are the highest international safety standards in the world. And then I think that the third is certainly our unique business model, our social mission is not just supplemental to our brand, like, you know, we've I'm many corporate social responsibility efforts, but it's really ingrained in our business model. And I think that makes us different and unique.

Gresham Harkless 11:14

Yeah, I would definitely agree with that. And as you mentioned, how you're kind of reinventing or changing the paradigm on how you can kind of help support efforts like this, I think that's definitely, you know, a great kind of differentiator or secret sauce that you have for your organization. And I wanted to switch gears a little bit and ask you for what I call a CEO hack and CEO hack could be an app or book, but it's something that you lean on or use that makes you more effective and efficient as an entrepreneur or business owner.

Deborah Agustoni 11:41

So I have to say that I found a lot of benefits in daily, early morning meditation practice. And it really has helped me improve my focus and center. And another important activity that I do on a daily basis. It's certainly a lot of cardio. And another thing that actually this is something that I've been doing recently finally decided to, you know, eliminate all devices from my sleeping area, at least 30 minutes before I go to bed and not touch them until, you know, I finished my cardio in the morning and my meditation, and all my rituals. And then I you know, I'm allowed to start to be bombarded with external stimuli, but I think it helps a lot with my being more focused and energized and definitely more inspired. It starts starting the day just like giving things.

Gresham Harkless 12:38

Yeah, that makes sense. Yeah, you get an opportunity to be more on the offensive than on the defensive. Now, I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget. And this might be like a word of wisdom or piece of advice that you might have for entrepreneurs and business owners.

Deborah Agustoni 12:50

I think it's the lesson of letting go that one of the learns, and I think this is true for both private and, you know, professional life, but I think that is probably one of the best that I learned.

Gresham Harkless 13:07

I wanted to do was ask you, which is my favorite question, what does it mean to you to be a CEO?

Deborah Agustoni 13:12

I mean, thinking about it, you know, thinking about what it means, you know, to be CEO of a social business, and in particular, because this is what a brewer is. And I think you're CEO of a social business that is, you know, creating a new model for how we do business, that it's not just maximizing profit, profit, but also helping solve, you know, a social environmental problem in our society, in our case is a social problem, it means that you need to be in a strong leader, sure, and a strong leader that challenges the status quo. And in order to do that, you need to be fearless I think can because often what is new and unconventional, also tracks all sorts of challenges and judgments at times and you know, your idea can maybe really cold or not yet perceived as a good idea or something impactful. So, you know, a strong person and a strong CEO is a strong leader, I think that has a vision and pursue it and can pursue it constantly and energetically, especially in times of challenges and difficulties. And I think on the other hand, being a CEO for me also means that you can still be an effective and capable leader, and also show your emotions show your heart in your leadership as a CEO. I also don't kill my feminine energy just because of that position. If it makes sense. I think that women can be effective, powerful, and independent and still be feminine and you know, lead by heart and show that heart.

Gresham Harkless 14:55

Deborah, I truly appreciate you again for taking some time out of your schedule. I wanted to pass the mic to you You see if there's anything additional, you want to let our readers and our listeners know, and how best people can get a hold of you.

Deborah Agustoni 15:06

Sure, I guess I'll finish with a quote that I love. I love quotes. So life is a balance between making it happen and letting it happen. And opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor. So I leave with this and I will also leave my our website, which is auroreskincare.com from there you can sign up to receive our newsletter or you know, we have still a crowdfunding campaign open if anybody's interested to contribute, or you can follow our journey and conversations on Instagram and Facebook, or simply reach out and say hi, we would really love to meet new people that are interested in the issue of human trafficking and how to best solve it. So thank you very much for this time,

Gresham Harkless 15:56

No Problem. Thank you for you know, this time and also everything that you're doing. We'll make sure to have those links in the show notes. And you know, as Deborah said, If you don't have your dancing shoes on, make sure you put them on and get dancing and start working and making the world a better place. So appreciate you, Deborah, I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

Deborah Agustoni 16:12

You too. Thank you so much. Gresh

Outro 16:14

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes Google Play and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a five-star rating grab CEO gear at www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening

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