From one tube of red lipstick...

Jo Rich is originally from Ohio, but has lived and worked for many years in Pensacola. She started out her career in retail management, but always wanted to do more. As an artistic person, she felt her personality was just not suited for a regular 9-to-5 retail job. Jo had moved to Tampa to work for Armani, developing both a taste for high-fashion and an eye for the hottest trends. She gave birth to her first son, and then went back to school in 2015 to obtain a business degree- wanting to expand her knowledge and better hone her skills for entrepreneurship. However, after her schooling, Jo became pregnant with her second son and struggled with postpartum depression, falling into a rut of sorts. It was at this low point when Jo had a moment of clarity: all over a spurring from a tube of red lipstick. Struggling with depression and battling emotional turmoil during this phase of her life, Jo had a friend offer her some LipSense Red Lipstick color. While Jo would sometimes force herself to get ready, go out, and go to work each day, this bold, vibrant lipstick served as a reminder of the strength that was within her, as well as a mini-goal to strive for. “If all I could do each day is put on that lipstick, then that was an achievement,” Jo told herself. Putting on this lipstick was only the beginning of a long-list of achievements. 

After getting her  first LipSense lip color, Jo began selling and applying make-up, with her passion helping to guide her zeal for creative visuals as well as a true love of female empowerment. In 2017, she opened a small kiosk in the mall to sell her make-up, and after a year and a half, started aesthetician school.  After 3 months, Jo graduated and fell in love with all things beauty, wellness and confidence. The fire was lit. “Sometimes, just by applying make-up, a woman can snap out of a negative mindset and begin to feel so much better,” she explained. “We all have a past and pain, but you can turn your pain into a purpose,” Jo states. It is this exact mindset, by which she strives to turn tragedy into triumph, that helped propel Jo to the next stage of her career.

“You can’t tell me that I can’t do something, because then I will do everything in my power to do it,” Jo said. “I will stand on a Mountain of ‘No’s” to get to one ‘Yes!’” 

The process to obtain this lease at 126 Palafox Place took about three months, but after many phone calls, much faith, and undying patience, Jo was able to open Jo Rich Beauty on New Year’s Eve in 2019. 

Jo was proud to open her businesses in Pensacola, and wouldn’t want to work anywhere else! “I love Pensacola because of our inviting people, encouraging and supportive community. Of course, the beach is amazing- this is Florida’s best kept secret! Pensacola truly strikes the perfect balance between a small-town community and modern city living.”