We’re looking forward to introducing you to Krista Thompson Esq.. Check out our conversation below.
Krista, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Stepping into media light. I have always enjoyed being a cheerleader- I love to build excitement and encourage others to do their best and be their best. In the current content is King landscape- everyone is being forced to put their own self out to the public in catchy memes and modern day “jingles’ aka shorts. I am not one to shine light on myself, I’m not looking for the light for me, never have, I believe privacy may be one of the most valuable and fleeting currencies we have as humans. I decided early on in life to take an academic pathway and not pursue work in the media industry- I didn’t want to be my product. Now, everyone from renowned surgeons, to esteemed professors, tech founders- like myself- we have to actually put our faces into the marketplace because customers now need to know who Founders are- what we like to have for lunch- what we look like without our makeup lol The fact in business that startups with forward facing founders generate up to 70% more revenue- who can argue with the numbers. Not me. So here, I am, stepping into the light and it’s something I have never wanted to do. I have to make peace with this and pursue a path where my brands and our message is the torch I carry- even if it requires a 6am shout out from behind a latte with a camera in my face. Consumers value transparency and if seeing snip its from behind the scenes and the silly real moments in my real life help connect customers to my brands, and helps them feel our mission – that is ultimately the goal. I love to connect with people- but it does scare me that media can be largely one sided. Viewers will know me, but I will not know them. To mitigate this discomfort my company is holding monthly meet ups- inviting customers to join in the discussions. I want to know them too. My business is not about me, never will be, it will ALWAYS be about the customers first and foremost – even if our team is dancing in tutus on the shorts feed for views- C’est la vie.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a licensed attorney, intellectually property- which is the innovation segment of law. My brand ThiinkMachine.com provides startup support in trademark, patent, copyright, business and investment guidance. From this work we launched Thiink Co, our own startup hub where we have numerous brands, books, animations, music production. I found a passion in supporting startups and creators because I absolutely love the spark of innovation and helping creators learn to monetize their intellectual assets.
In 2016, I founded CFPACC a b2b business for products and educational programs for Medspa professionals. During covid when the world shut down, being the life long lover of education that I am, I had by fate recently launched our online learning platforms and it just took off wildly as the world shut down for Covid. The courses are still going strong and have thousands of students and proudly 5 star reviews. I am very pleased with the nature of online business and we remain online today in place of live demonstrations.
My passion for online SAAS business led me to enroll in Berkeley AI/ML programming certification and I am wrapping this up now. Having submitted multiple nonprovisional patent applications for my forthcoming programs in the beauty/tech sector. With that I expanded the offering of my business to Estibox.co a hub for professional skin care, and telehealth integrated with AI skin analysis and virtual consultation with Estheticians or Physicians. I am always seeking to improve and scale the reach of the services that I have created and always, to increase the value I deliver to customers.
As a recipient of a Certificate of Specialization in Leadership & Management from Harvard Business School online I was very excited to also complete certification through Harvard Medical School Online Sustainable Nutrition Planning Program prior to founding my dream brand: Skinii.com. I am deeply passionate for Skinii because it most represents my personal life in a brand. As a life long foodie- I had to learn on my own about food substitution before Keto was mainstream. I was creating recipe’s in my own kitchen looking for healthy alternatives to carb heavy- sugar overloaded food. Its actually quite scary how bad the food options in the USA have been for so long. Skinii is not a size- not now- not since I trademarked it- Skinii is a lifestyle- Its a vibe- Its my tribe & you can be any size – as long as you are celebrating and moving toward your idea of health for yourself- eating clean- feeling the love- of yourself and the Skinii tribe- this is my love. Helping others feel good about theirselves, wherever they are in their journey. Anyone who ever stepped on a scale and entered back to “Onderland” and did a happy dance- that’s my tribe. Finding joy in your momentum. Not holding yourself to a standard- defining your standard- baby steps, everyday paves the way. Skinii offers telehealth, Skinii foods, and the Skiniiapp- with calorie counting- meal planning- recipe’s- exercise videos & ai plate analysis. Skiniiapp is available in Free & Premium tier.
Additionally, I am CEO and co founder of Larik Biotech, with the fortune to partner with my savant cofounder Lawrence Nobel- we are deeply rooted in sustainable health care solutions. We offer telehealth and cosmetics for Mens health at Rager.club and Strff.com. If you are looking for superior haircare for blonde hair check out our offerings at Blondegasm.com. Our most prized offering is our soon to debut patent pending product: Klorii – A personal protective cosmetic that enables users to discretely identify contact with common date rape drugs. We are deeply proud of this innovative product and look forward to rolling it out on all college campuses worldwide. If we can save one life then all of our work on this product is worth it, though we see this as game changing in the date rape prominent college/bar scene/ rave lifestyle ecosystem.
Currently, I am studying Music Production via extension through Juilliard, admission I attribute to the success of our award winning childrens animated series Snoozle on YouTube. I love music and the process of creating and sharing music with the world gives me so much excitement. I am currently wrapping up production of an EDM album under my industry name, Tsarina Nobel. It will be releasing under TSAR Records with feat from Larik Nobel of Haus Von Nobel, the near century old fashion house family, together with some other amazing artists, we have crafted a phenomenal album. We have many exciting works & brands collabs, innovative products in the pipeline but lets leave something for this social media discovery that hopefully the readers will come check us out and join one of our live discussions to learn more of what we are working on.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My Family. I have an unwavering work ethic. I am a doer- I finish what I start- I forge ahead because I believe strongly in duty and service of others- creating value for people in the ways that I can. I was extremely active in clubs as early as high school. I watched my father- A marine, law enforcement officer and volunteer firefighter. He would work night shift at the sheriffs department – come home and sometimes leave a hot plate at the table mid fork full because the fire scanner went off and people were in need – his fellow firefighters were in need of him. We were a team as a family, and with the community. My brother followed in his footsteps and worked as a firefighter and paramedic- he’s received multiple awards for saving lives. I am very proud of my brothers devotion to the community and his service and volunteer work in ministries. My Mom devoted her entire life to us kids- then she became a beautician- her life’s dream. They inspire me all the way. If I started something, I was not allowed to quit. If I made a bad grade- that was it- I was in the house studying until I got it up. These ethics remains with me to this day. Perhaps drawn to the beauty industry- in honor of my mother and her dream. Despite being an attorney- here I am- a serial entrepreneur still balancing many positions, brands, and companies- just like I did as a kid. The titles may have changed, but the drive, the time management, the devotion to others, the community, to my team- That will always be who I am at my core.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely- All the time lol I trademarked Failureology and have written a book titled Failureology (Forthcoming publication) because I figured out early on that any success is typically laden with near non stop failure, adversity, and the never ending doubt, that you just have to learn to iron over. Like a bulldozer- know the bumps in the road will never stop coming- nothing worth doing will be easy and you have to live a nearly delusional belief in your self and your projects to actually achieve success. So I urge everyone doubting their self, feeling like todays the day they quit- don’t quit- just take a break for a few minutes- the winner in your soul is soon going to raise their little demure hand and utter out the suggestion…but, what if… and there you go again! Entrepreneurships is not for everyone, you have to love the lows as much as the highs and you have to understand its going be ugly much of the time- but if you have thick skin and conviction in your bones- you WILL make it. I promise- so, keep going- just one more time- always- one more time.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Truth. They say the truth shall set you free, and that in and of itself is the truth. Integrity is everything, at least to me. Remain true to yourself, be authentic, even if that irks some people. No one meant to stand out is going to fit in and that is another truth. Authenticity, especially in a group think society can be a really difficult existence, but its better to be real and really loved (or hated) than become someone that you can’t even recognize in the mirror. For me- love me- or hate me- I am who I am and I would not change a thing because I’m so real, and genuine. I value my integrity and my honesty is the core of that. So, even if someone disagrees with my beliefs, I’m still going to hold them in my heart, I’m going to respect opposing views and everyone’s right to personal dignity and that is the value I will protect at all costs. My right to exist autonomously and not conform to the beliefs of others just to appease them. Anyone who watched the movie Idiocracy will know how poorly a society led by its common denominator will wind up. I welcome polite dissent and really miss the old days where people with authentic opposing views would break bread and debate. It’s scary that we are seeing respect for differences disappear in our culture. I think truth is at a stage of reckoning in our culture and the one thing I am assured, as I wrote this daily in journal as an adolescent: The truth will always prevail.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. Integrity is what you do when no one is looking. Nothing that I do in my life is to earn myself praise. Nothing. Sometimes I don’t even know why I am so devoted to the things I am working on- its not for myself- I feel my work is a calling. I am fulfilling a mission, that I am called to do. Praise is nice- at least so much as it helps promote the mission I am on, but I do not want spotlight for me, I would speak of God and how giving your life to a pursuit grander than yourself- existentialism. I am but a servant of my maker, ultimately. The only praise I seek is to one day, when I pass from living to eternal life, God is pleased with my work here. That’s the only thing I can make of it- because the sheer amount of energy it takes to get through all the adversity and the renewed strength I receive to keep going. It’s not me, it’s divine, and I hope to believe I am helping people in their lives and only will continue to reach more and more people the more time I am given on earth. All praise to God, not to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://skinii.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiniiapp
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristax/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/skinii/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@snoozletv
- Other: estibox.co
ragers.club
larikbiotech.com
blondegasm.com
thiinkmachine.com
