In a world where perfection and polish often overshadow authenticity, Megan DiVincenzo stands out as a beacon of unapologetic realness. After eight years as a criminal defense attorney—a career that, despite its prestige, left her feeling unfulfilled—Megan took a bold leap into the world of jewelry, transforming her life and career in the process. Now the dynamic CEO of The Sis Kiss, Megan has reinvented herself and her business by embracing her true self and encouraging others to do the same.
Her journey from the courtroom to the jewelry boardroom is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and the importance of authenticity in today’s highly curated social media landscape. Megan’s approach is refreshingly straightforward: be true to yourself, and let that authenticity guide you in both business and life. Through her podcast, “Wildly Unprofessional,” and her vibrant jewelry brand, Megan invites us all to shed the filters and embrace our genuine selves.
In this feature, we delve into Megan’s remarkable transformation, her innovative strategies for standing out in a crowded market, and the inspiring philosophies that drive her success. Join us as we explore the story of a woman who turned a moment of crisis into a launchpad for a new and thriving venture, and discover how her fearless commitment to being herself has redefined what it means to be a leader in today’s business world.
Can you tell us about the journey from criminal defense attorney to CEO of The Sis Kiss? What inspired this career change?
Well I always say, I was a very content and happy lawyer…Until I wasn’t. Something changed with some clients, cases and I became a very anxious and unhappy person the last year or so of practicing. I actually had a panic attack in Court one day and knew it was time to leave the space and pursue something that brought me more joy. I was severely depressed and anxious after leaving and it took an amazing doctor, therapist, family, and friends to pull me out of the slump. After getting my mind and body right, I was able to be creative and joyful again! This is when my sister and I started making wire-wrapped bracelets to sell. Through each sale, my passion and joy returned! And here we are today. I just kept going.
“Wildly Unprofessional” is a unique brand identity for The Sis Kiss. How did you develop this concept, and what impact has it had on your business?
I’ve always been so proud to be unapologetically myself. So, when it was time to do a podcast, and with my background in such a “professional” field as law, I knew we had to call it Wildly Unprofessional!
What strategies have you employed to differentiate The Sis Kiss in the competitive jewelry market?
I started with influencer marketing back when that was a brand-new “thing.” My entrepreneur friends thought I was crazy giving away so much free product and/or paying for influencers. However, Instagram was WHERE the attention was…so to me, it made sense to infiltrate the platform and the people with my product.
What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs looking to start their own businesses?
To just start! I feel like most aspiring female entrepreneurs want everything to look, feel, and seem “perfect” before launching. But that is never a reality; perfection that is. So you start/launch and adjust. If I could tattoo “Launch and Adjust” on my forehead, I would!
Who has been the biggest influence on your career and personal growth?
My husband, Brian. He is so smart and organized and just overall good at everything. (Which is pretty annoying too! Lol.) He is my go-to for life and business advice. He doesn’t really listen or accept excuses as answers so I always bring my A-game to our conversations. He keeps it and me real and on my toes to always be my best.
Can you describe a typical day in your life as CEO of The Sis Kiss?
If I’m not traveling for work, I typically wake up by 6 am so I can drink coffee while the kids are asleep and talk to my vendors early with no distractions. I always do a workout after getting the kids ready for school, grab my Starbucks, and then head into The Sis Kiss HQ. The day usually consists of emails, podcasting, and marketing meetings. But every day is different and I love that about my life and career.
What motivates and drives you on a daily basis?
My fear of failure and of being average. I’m working on myself and realize that probably isn’t the best answer to give. But it’s what motivates and drives me at the moment. Also, freedom is so important to me. I can’t ever imagine working for someone else again.
How do you unwind and recharge outside of work?
I love to take long walks with my husband, Brian. We talk about life, business, dreams, goals, etc. I also am very involved in fitness, lifting weights, meditations, and hot yoga. I also love to travel with my family.
What’s a book that has significantly impacted your life or way of thinking?
Conversations with God
How do you define success personally?
Being able to be independent. Work and take care of my kids as I choose. Decide when I work and where I work. That is so important to me.
What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur compared to your previous career in law?
The stress level is completely different. If I made a mistake in law, someone’s life was on the line with a criminal record, jail time, etc. If I make a mistake in jewelry, it’s very fixable! I also love that every day is different as an entrepreneur.
Tell us about a moment when you felt most proud of what you’ve accomplished with The Sis Kiss.
When I opened my Headquarters. We threw a big old party and everyone from the community came. It was a very proud moment to see our brand name lit up in professional signs on an actual building. I felt so proud to show her off!
What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?
Definitely working out at my gym, The Gym of Avon. I love doing hot yoga, and walks with my husband. Good Italian wine and travel with my family.
How do you stay connected with your community and customers on a personal level?
I love being present at our retail store when customers come in! Helping customers pick out gifts or custom pieces is one of my favorite parts of the job. Interacting, and helping them choose makes me smile! I also love helping customers style their pieces. It just comes naturally to me.
What does a typical “Wildly Unprofessional” podcast episode entail, and what topics do you enjoy discussing the most?
I most enjoy talking about spirituality, mediumship, and wellness. It’s my passion to learn and dive deep about those topics. My followers love it too and seem to always keep their questions coming.
What’s a mantra or philosophy you live by?
Be yourself, unapologetically.
What legacy do you hope to leave through your work with The Sis Kiss?
To take a chance on yourself to do what it is you love!
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
You don’t need to be perfect. Life is messy. Go with it.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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