Lise Watier Cosmétiques and its partner Shoppers Drug Mart are proud to announce that Jessica Kruger of Coquitlam, B.C. is the face of the new Something Sweet fragrance. This effervescent young woman dazzled the panel of judges with her infectious enthusiasm, unfailing positive energy, determination and eloquence, and because she so clearly represents the Lise Watier brand values. She is definitely the Something Sweet they were looking for!
“I have all the character traits that Lise Watier is looking for to represent Something Sweet, but choosing me also means choosing to embrace diversity and changing the world’s perception about what a model should be”, said Jessica Kruger. A fourth-year student at Simon Fraser University, Jessica is also Canada’s youngest female player in the wheelchair rugby association. As a quadriplegic, Jessica accommodates her challenges and enjoys life to the fullest. She also gives motivational sessions for WorkSafeBC (sic) and the Rick Hansen Foundation. Encouraged by a friend, this inspirational young woman enrolled in the competition at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Burnaby, B.C. Although she entered for fun, Jessica quickly realized the impact her application had when she garnered huge support from her community.
It was an absolute pleasure to meet and interview Jessica. Her story is inspiring and she is a great role model who shows what it takes to rise above challenges and see the possible in the impossible. I love that I get to share this interview with all of you, Enjoy………!
BB411~ You are currently in university, what are your focused studies and career plans?
JK~ I am studying at SFU to get my bachelors of English. Once I have gotten that I will apply to the PDP program, which is a one year education/teaching program. The ultimate goal is to be a high school English teacher.
BB411~ You are Canada’s youngest female player in the wheelchair rugby association, what do you love most about the sport and organization?
JK~ Honestly, I love everything about rugby—my team-mates, the physical challenges, the contact aspect of the game, the strategy—it’s all so much fun!
BB411~ What did winning and becoming the face of the new “Something Sweet” fragrance campaign with Lise Watier mean to you?
JK~ It meant that Lise Watier was ready to help make my dreams come true, that they thought the world was ready to see somebody with a disability be a model—an unheard of feat!
BB411~ What do you hope to accomplish being an ambassador?
JK~ I hope to show both girls and women that being different can be beautiful and that confidence is admirable.
BB411~ What do you think it means to be a good role model?
JK~ I think that a good role model empowers those that look up to them. I think that they remember that all of their actions could have an effect on other’s and that they truly embrace the message that they are trying to send.
BB411~ Where does your drive and focus come from?
JK~ Honestly, I think that it comes from my stubbornness, which I suppose comes from my Dad. I have always been one of those people who refuses to accept no for an answer, and being stubborn has made me strive for things that may have seemed impossible just to prove that they weren’t.
BB411~ Who did you admire growing up or do today?
JK~ I wouldn’t say that there is one specific person that I admire, but rather that there are a number of people who possess the traits that I admire. I admire hard-work and determination, positivity and kindness, loyalty and drive. I see these traits in so many of the people that surround me, my friends, parents, sister, and team-mates, that it is nearly impossible to choose just one.
BB411~ How did your parents influence the person you are today?
JK~ My parents are, and always have been, my greatest supporters. They are the type of people who have encouraged all of my dreams and never ever told me that something seems impossible or stupid. They have raised me to be the person that I am today. When I was six years old they took my sister and I on a four-year sailing trip around the world. In choosing to expose me to so many different cultures they gave me the gift of understanding other’s challenges and struggles. This trip showed me that people can have virtually nothing and still find happiness, it made me realize how ridiculously blessed I am to live the life I live.
BB411~ How do you stay motivated with life’s daily stresses that come up?
JK~ I remember that I really don’t have it all that bad, and recognize that this is the life I have been given, it is up to me to make the most of it, feeling sorry for myself will ultimately accomplish nothing.
BB411~ Have you always been in love with fashion and beauty?
JK~ I think that many little girls grow up with an admiration for all that is beautiful and glamorous, and I was no exception. While I have not always been a “girly girl,” I have always appreciated the fashion and beauty world.
BB411~ Who is your favourite designer?
JK~ My favourite designer would definitely have to be Betsey Johnson.
BB411~ Ditto (One of our faves too!)
BB411~ Any beauty/fashion tips or tricks you have?
JK~ The best tip I could give anyone is to wear something that makes you feel fabulous. Going out with confidence is probably the most attractive thing you can wear.
BB411~ Describe your style?
JK~ I would describe my style as girly, fun and flirty with the occasional edge. I love, love, LOVE dresses and boots!
BB411~ What does beauty mean to you?
JK~ I believe that true beauty comes from within. Someone that is truly beautiful is seen as externally beautiful because their spirit shines from within.
BB411~ What inspires you personally and professionally?
JK~ I am inspired both personally and professionally by people who are not afraid to work hard to achieve their dreams. I have a huge respect for anyone that has “beaten the odds” and remains humble.
BB411~ Are you involved in any charities that are close to your heart?
JK~ I have had some involvement as a speaker for the Rick Hansen Foundation, which is of course close to my heart, as their work is in support of people with spinal cord injuries. I learned about the work that The Lise Watier foundation is doing, and am hoping to be able to contribute to that in some small way. I think that the work that they do with women and girls in need is extremely important.
BB411~ What does it mean to you to give back?
JK~ It means using all of the wonderful opportunities that I have been given to make a difference to others.
BB411~ If you could tell your younger self something you have learned and know now what would it be?
JK~ It would be that everything happens for a reason.
BB411~ 3 words that best describe you?
JK~ Determined, Positive, Loving.
BB411~ What is your skin care regime?
JK~ Extremely simple, wash with water and Lise Watier’s Hydra Smart self-foaming cleanser, moisturize with their Hydra Smart hydration gel cream.
BB411~ 3 beauty products you carry with you always?
JK~ My purse sized Something Sweet perfume, Lise Watier Dramatique Intense Mascara, and my Lise Watier Sun Ray lip gloss!
BB411~ #1 beauty product you could not live without?
JK~ Lise Watier’s feline black liquid eyeliner! Amazing!
BB411~ Do any certain scents remind you of your childhood and what is your favorite fragrance?
JK~ Any sort of baking related scents remind me of my childhood, as that was one of my favourite things to do with my mother, and my favourite fragrance is Lise Watier’s Something Sweet!
BB411~ Fun fact that people may not know about you?
JK~ I have been to 45 different countries.
BB411~ Favorite quote?
JK~ “May the bluebird of happiness do cartwheels in your oatmeal” I actually have this quote up on my bedroom wall!
BB411~ I absolutely love this, this is going in the vault!
BB411~ Favorite food?
JK~ Tacos and sushi!
BB411~ Favourite movie?
JK~ The Guardian or John Tucker Must Die.
BB411~ #1 thing you want to cross off your bucket list?
JK~ Travelling to India.
BB411~ What has been your biggest Aha Moment so far in life?
JK~ Realizing that people in wheelchair’s are capable of doing anything an able-bodied person is, just in a different way.
BB411~ Describe your perfect day when you have some down time?
JK~ Spending time with friends, family, and my boyfriend, baking, and curling up on the couch to watch wedding shows with my sister.
BB411~ What advice would you give young entrepreneurs starting out that are following their dreams?
JK~ I would tell them to remember that achieving them will probably not be easy, but ultimately hard-work and determination are always rewarded. Be patient, never say no to an opportunity, and go get those dreams!
BB411~ Where do you see yourself in 1 year, 5 years and 10 years?
JK~ 1: Starting the PDP program at SFU, continuing to train for wheelchair rugby, hopefully doing some part-time modelling!
5: Teaching, playing on the national wheelchair rugby team, getting engaged (**hint hint nudge nudge** haha!), living in Vancouver.
10: Playing on the national wheelchair rugby team, opening my own cupcake shop, married, living in Vancouver, and starting to have children!
BB411~ When I say the words #lovethis, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
JK~ On a non-materialistic level, My family, my dog, my friends, my life!
To keep up to date with Jessica: Follow her on Instagram
To get your hands on the incredible fragrance “Something Sweet” Visit Lise Watier
Remember to say you heard it here
Much Love,
Beauty Buzz 411
