19 Questions With Bethany McDaniel
by The Candidly Team
This article is part of our series called "People We Like," in which we highlight interesting women, across all walks of life.
Leaders, great cooks, doctors, parents, writers; people who inspire us.
Today, we’re highlighting Bethany McDaniel, CEO and founder of Primally Pure, a handcrafted skincare brand that focuses on fewer, better ingredients.
The Candidly Questionnaire
1. What’s your most compelling quality?
I’ve always been relentless in nature. It’s my zeal that has allowed me to accomplish some of the things I’m most proud of; like growing a $250 order for natural ingredients/supplies into a multi-million dollar business, having two natural home births, and hiking to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. I’m a very imperfect human who makes tons of mistakes and has failed numerous times, but my passion always keeps me moving forward.
2. What’s an overrated value you don’t buy into?
The “self-care” movement. I’m ALL about baths and massages. But, when we start doing things, like eating an entire bag of chocolate chips or online shopping to excess, in the name of self care, we’re fooling ourselves, and ultimately causing harm.
Self-care can come in many forms. Sometimes it’s taking a 30 minute walk to get fresh air and feel the sunlight on our skin and sometimes it’s savoring an amazing glass of organic wine with dinner. And sometimes self-care is best exercised by making those tough decisions that are ultimately in our own best interest — like sticking with our nightly skincare routines even when we don’t feel like it, or going to bed on time even when we’d rather stay up and binge watch something on Netflix.
3. How do you feel about cilantro?
I’m a fan.
4. Are essential oils anything?
Essential oils are by no means the silver bullet cure-all that they’re sometimes made out to be, but I’m still a believer in their benefits. They have a long-standing history in successfully treating a host of skin conditions and health ailments, and we use them in many of our products for that reason.
5. What's the most effective beauty trick you know?
Gua Sha. It’s easy (once you get the hang of it) and serves as an instant pick-me-up for the skin — you can literally see the difference immediately. I love it for de-puffing, boosting circulation and improving texture.
6. How do you get your self-esteem?
Our confidence as individuals is deeply connected to our ability to keep the promises we make to ourselves. When we set goals or intentions but don’t follow through, it affects us on a much deeper level than we realize. We actually start to lose trust in ourselves, and our self-esteem is negatively impacted.
Lately, I’ve been trying to be very intentional about following through on all of those little decisions (like getting outside for a walk or run every morning, going to bed at the same time, sticking to the foods that fuel my body the best) that ultimately have the power to lead to big change/growth over time.
7. What meal can you make the hell out of?
I’m not much of a cook, but I love to bake with my two girls, June (4) and Rosie (23 months). On weekends, we always make a paleo treat— chocolate chip cookies are definitely our go-to.
8. What’s your favorite item of clothing you own?
This Janessa Leone Felix hat. The shape is stunning, and it goes with just about everything.
9. How do you handle conflict?
Dealing with conflict isn’t something that comes easily to me. For most of my life, I’ve dealt with it by avoiding it. But that strategy doesn’t work as a business owner — we don’t have the luxury of avoidance.
These days, I do my best to address conflict with a level head. I allow myself to feel any initial feelings that come up, acknowledge them, let them go, and address the situation based on fact rather than emotion.
10. What idea has really challenged you in the last year?
The notion that life is happening for me and not to me. No matter how challenging or desperate a situation seems, there is always a lesson to be learned in it.
11. Who is the most interesting person in the zeitgeist right now?
Dr. Jason Fung, and his work on intermittent and extended fasting. I’m fascinated by his writings on the many health benefits of fasting + autophagy. His book, The Complete Guide To Fasting, was so helpful in my own fasting journey and I’m excited to read his most recent book, The Cancer Code, as well.
12. What Insta account speaks to you deeply?
Jamie Kern Lima. I heard Jamie speak at a conference and was inspired by her story of starting IT Cosmetics in her kitchen (like me!), and later selling it for over a billion dollars. Jamie remains unbelievably down to earth and relatable, while also being positive and inspirational.
13. What quote or phrase has stayed with you?
“True freedom is giving people the permission to misunderstand you.”
I’ve learned how easy it is to be misunderstood in the world we live in. And how there is sometimes very little that can be done to correct it, other than moving forward with love and humility and trusting that your heart will be seen/understood by those who matter most.
14. What’s your favorite movie from the last ten years?
Crazy Rich Asians.
15. What forms of therapy have changed your relationship to yourself?
I’ve been implementing cold therapy as a part of my daily routine for almost a year now, and it’s changed everything for me. Every morning, I take a 2 minute cold shower. I never want to do it, but I jump in anyway.
There’s powerful psychology behind that — starting your day with something you don’t want to do — that makes it easier to dive into other things you don’t want to do throughout the day. Cold showers have helped me to be more productive and purposeful throughout the day.
16. What’s the most delicious bite of food you’ve ever had?
Anytime I’m able to eat fresh ceviche out of a coconut in Costa Rica, I’m in absolute heaven.
17. Is social media ruining our brains?
A lot of the evidence points to YES. There are so many studies that show how people are literally less happy after being on social media. I think we’ve all experienced that. But there is also so much goodness and community that can come with it.
It can be a fine line to walk, and boundaries are necessary. I do this in the form of setting “screen times” on my iPhone for certain apps that don’t allow me to check them before 8am or after 8pm, shutting off my phone entirely on Sundays, and by visiting specific profiles I want to see instead of mindlessly scrolling.
18. Describe your actual bedtime routine.
About an hour before going to bed, I start the wind-down process beginning with my skincare routine. Oil cleansing is always the first step, followed by toning, moisturizing, and misting. I put on my blue light blocking glasses immediately after, and then I’ll often take a bath with my girls followed by story time and bedtime.
After they go down, my husband and I have about 30 minutes to talk and hang out before I’m too tired to stay up for another second.
19. What’s your relationship with bangs?
I distinctly remember a moment in grade school when I had clipped my bangs back and an older, more popular girl looked at me and said something to the effect of, “Wow, you have a really big forehead. You’ll always need to have bangs.” This comment stuck with me for YEARS, until I realized that Tyra Banks also had a big forehead...and sometimes she wore bangs, sometimes she didn’t.
If Tyra Banks, who I saw as the most beautiful woman in the world, didn’t let the size of her forehead determine whether or not she had bangs, why should I? I started growing them out shortly after and never looked back.
What is your single favorite:
Wellness product that *actually* works: Other than every Primally Pure product, I’m obsessed with Branch Basics for all of our household cleaning needs.
Lip balm: Primally Pure Lip Balm is truly my fave.
Jeans brand: Zara or Madewell.
Mascara: Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara.
Sweats: Girlfriend Collective.
Effective “lady” product: The Honey Pot Tampons.
Last minute gift: Primally Pure Seasonal Home Aromatherapy Line.
Shampoo: Innersense Color Awakening Hairbath + Primally Pure Dry Shampoo.
Comfortable shoes: Freda Salvadore for work/everyday, APL for working out.
Splurge skincare: Primally Pure Plumping Mask.
Drugstore skincare: Coconut oil, olive oil, apple cider vinegar and baking soda.
Everyday bag: I love my Cuyana bag that I’ve had for years. Also been wanting to try Janessa Leone’s new line.
Guilty-pleasure TV show: Breaking Bad or reruns of The Office.
Drink: Anything + everything from DRAM and Pique.
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