Alex Volkmann, the Inspiring Founder of Heavy Duty Skin Care

Every so often, though, I come across a really exceptional item and am forced to reveal my enthusiasm - this is one of those items. I have been completely won over - and will likely be a customer for life!

First of all - I am the Hand Cream Queen. (I'm sure I've got a certificate somewhere for that!) At any given time, I have 10 to 12 tubes of hand cream around the house - from various brands. I use them and toss them aside in frustration. Aren't we all looking for a hand cream that smoothes even the most chapped hands - yet soaks in fast enough to allow us to continue with our lives (like opening doors, jars etc.). There are few things worse than being rendered incapacitated by a greasy hand cream!! But I digress.

Someone has read our minds and come up with a hand cream that does it all! Heavy Duty Hand Gear is a serious, effective hand cream and lots of other body products - with an automotive flair. A little while ago, I was able to have an "email" conversation with Alex Volkmann, the inspiring founder of Heavy Duty - to find out a little bit about life of a skin care CEO:

MARI...
Give us some insight into the life the Heavy Duty Skin care empire.
Personal Life-
ALEX...
"I am a Sadie Sadie Married Lady (Hello Dolly) - Former professional dancer: ballet & jazz, writer, semi vegetarian ( I indulge in dairy & fish occasionally) - revere nature - animals (I have an adorable Pomeranian named Gucci), passionate about rchitecture, almost all music (no Muzak please), fashion (of course). I practice a little Yoga/meditation (but prefer to get the jams out on a long walk or dancing jazz)."

MARI...
What is your day-to-day life like?
A Day in the Life -
ALEX...
"is probably similar to most Americans these days - WORK! Usually I arise between 6-7am (time to make the doughnuts) - do a little stretch, some abs, push-ups, etc. and then a 20-30 minute walk to get the juices flowin'. Then it's checking all the hardware; faxes, voice mail, email, mail-mail, and so on.... prioritize the day's tasks ( real glamorous so far) and on to the phone I go! The beauty industry is a touch industry - so I try to schedule HEAVY DUTY presentations with buyers, or promotions at the store level. I contact clients, potential clients, editors, manufacturing companies, my accountant, etc....and friends, family, and your panel for a little cheering on!"

MARI...
Are you having fun launching this line?
ALEX...
"YES! The concept is fun - the product(s) are great - it's been well received - it's challenging, creative - all the things I like life to be. It is my version of The American Dream. It is also daunting, overwhelming at times - but so is life!"

MARI...
How do you make time for yourself?
ALEX...
"Again, we are all faced with this issue of making time for ourselves, so that we can live a balanced, healthy life. I grab it (time) when there is an opportunity - a weekend afternoon with my sister, a morning walk with my man (and puppy) - a dance class - a massage - facial - weight training in the morning. I think it's important because most of live such hectic lives that we do take time out for ourselves, loved ones, and to be grateful for moments of goodness & peace."

MARI...
What is you beauty routine and what are your favorite products?
ALEX...
"I obviously love HEAVY DUTY Hand Gear and use it twice a day, because I think hands are one of our most expressive features. I use Murad Refreshing Cleanser, Hydrating Toner, and oil-free Skin-Perfecting Lotion. This is a great clinical line that works! Of course sun block - Murad's light tint is good for a foundation-free summer. I am a shampoo junky and alternate Tigi, Murad, Joico, Paul Mitchell, and whatever's clever. I color (and sometimes blow my hair out) so conditioning is crucial and believe it or not Aussie 3-Minute does the trick - that and of course Frieda's new leave-in, and again whatever the
next new one is..............Nails are colored almost always - Delux has some great new fall colors - Bon Bons are too cute - anything from electric to blue to pastel yellow - I'm game. I don't wear a lot of make-up but when I do: there's a new Maybelline foundation "True Illusion" that provides coverage but feels absolutely weightless (and has SPF 10) - Trish
McEvoy has fun color compacts and I have been lining my eyes with her brushes for the last 3 years! Stila also has a great palette and rich lipsticks. You'll find Bobbi Brown lipsticks (Raisin's always good) in my stash - really like Klorane to remove eye make-up - Nars sparkle for lips is too cool - especially on red lips, it's like Dorothy's shoes from the Wizard of Oz (lots of luck removing the sparkles - they remained on my lips and face for days)! You better stop me now......I could go on for days.................. I also really like Annick Goutal Eau d'Hadrian and so does my man."

MARI...
Tell us a little bit about your background and what brought you to the beauty industry.
ALEX...
"Background: Pretty eclectic - Dancer, ABC studio camera operator, swim wear model, writer, Prod. Asst. Comedy Central, Szechuan Take-Out Slave (Chinese Rest. Hostess), Make-Up Artist, Spa Manager, Cosmetics Sales Executive, just to name a few. I have spent the past 10 years in the health & beauty industry as a; Spa Manager, Personal Fitness Trainer, Make-Up Artist, Cosmetics Sales Exec. I have always had a passion for aesthetics.
HEAVY DUTY was more of an attitude than a concept at the beginning. I, personally wanted more "heavy duty" products that would do what they claimed and that were less foofy. The automotive concept arose out of a whimsical idea that your body parts are analogous to car parts - and that most people like to take care of their cars, or are on the road a lot, and can relate to the "car culture" in America. Utilizing a retro concept is reminiscent of a simpler time, a more prosperous time in America that appeals to my concept of that ideal. The idea for the picture on the tube (me) - depicts a woman who has not denied her femininity yet she is more than capable of getting the job done - It celebrates resourcefulness and good old American know-how. But of course this is cosmetics, not brain surgery - so when all said and done, if people understand it great - if not....I hope it gives them a smile!"

MARI...
What sort of challenges have you had to face? Have you had to deal with obstacles due to being a woman starting up your own business?
ALEX...
"Writing a business plan was not an easy task for me. Orchestrating the debut of HEAVY DUTY was also challenging because of the logistics. I suppose any start-up venture has similar issues; Money, juggling responsiblilities,etc. Interestingly enough, I don't feel that being a woman has hindered me - but then we're in cosmetics and I partner with mostly women."

MARI...
What advice would you give to the would-be entrepreneurs out there?
ALEX...
"For those of you who are thinking about starting your own business I would say DO IT! Focus on your plan - give it as much thought as possible and then go forward. It's sort of like swimming to me.......you can discuss how to swim, but ultimately you have to dive in."

MARI...
What can we look for in the future from Heavy Duty?
ALEX...
"MO' HEAVY DUTY! We are working on the line extension which will focus on body care products in great fun packaging with super ingredients that deliver results! I will let you know as we get closer."

One final note:
Here are some of Hand Gear's heavy duty fans: Minnie Driver, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Tilly, Helen Hunt, Laura Dern, Peta Wilson, David Letterman, Gabrielle Reece, Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Ellen Degeneres, Joan Cusak, Peter Max, Rosie O'Donnell, Emma Thompson, Paul Reiser, Carol Alt, Janeane Garofalo, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Debbie Reynolds, Paul Reubens, Lilly Tomlin, Kathy Najimi, and Catherine O'hara.
And, here's a link to the Heavy Duty web site: http://www.heavydutyco.com/