Jesse McKinney – Startup Community – Power List

While her biggest accomplishment is being a mother to her two boys, Boise native Jesse McKinney truly demonstrates what it looks like to be woman who can conquer everything on her plate — and still make time to help others. She co-founded (with her sister and a longtime business partner) a social selling cosmetic company, Red Aspen, in hopes to inspire women to become independent business owners by selling products out of their home. The business started out selling reusable fake lashes before expanding to eye and lip cosmetics.

McKinney remembers fondly the energy the trio had building the company from the ground up, their choice to follow through on their dream and their mission to help women be the very best version of themselves.

With 37 employees and nearly 10,000 brand ambassadors currently, the company generated $1 million in sales revenue alone within its first five months. Three years later, in 2020, the business had grossed more than $20 million.

“To be an entrepreneur, you have to completely commit yourself (and when) you take the first step, you have to go all in — and go in with a winning, positive mindset,” McKinney said.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science in business administration and management from the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business, McKinney then went to Gonzaga University to get her master’s degree in organizational leadership.

In recognition of her hard work, McKinney received Idaho Business Review’s 2019 Accomplished Under 40 and 2021 CEO of Influence awards. She also sponsors seasons at Ballet Idaho and is a business capstone partner with Boise State’s College of Business.