At first glance, this episode of #WHEREBRAINSMEETBEAUTY seemed focused on wellness trends. But what unfolded was a much deeper conversation—one about leadership, resilience, and building brands that prioritize both people and purpose.

Joining the conversation were two leaders from different corners of the wellness space: Lisa Rossmann, Chief Concept Officer at Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, and Bryan Appio, CEO and Founder of Drywater. One represents the service side of self-care, the other a functional product redefining daily routines. What united them was a shared vision for leadership rooted in intention, empathy, and integrity.

Lisa’s career path is anything but traditional. After starting in finance, she shifted into the world of aesthetics—making a bold move that surprised her family but set the foundation for the work she leads today. Her focus now is on creating environments where people can thrive, helping both franchise teams and corporate employees grow into confident, capable leaders. For Lisa, soft skills aren’t optional—they’re essential. Listening, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness aren’t just leadership traits; they’re business strategies.

Bryan, on the other hand, comes from the school of entrepreneurship by necessity. Raised by a single mother and driven to create financial stability, he’s been building businesses since his teenage years. Drywater is the culmination of that experience—offering more than a product, but a philosophy around daily wellness. His leadership style is grounded in trust and accountability. He hires based on energy and mindset, not just credentials, and gives his team the freedom to own their work fully even when that means making mistakes.

Both Lisa and Bryan have learned to tune out the noise. In industries where competition is fierce and trends evolve daily, they’re not chasing comparisons—they’re doubling down on clarity. Instead of reacting to what other brands are doing, they focus on what truly matters: building strong teams, creating meaningful products and experiences, and staying aligned with their values.

Their stories are proof that leadership today looks different than it did even a decade ago. It’s not about titles or traditional benchmarks—it’s about showing up with vision, empathy, and the willingness to do things differently.

This episode is a powerful reminder that the best brands—and the best leaders—are built from the inside out.