Jenn Harper
A Beacon of Innovation in Beauty and Philanthropy
Toronto, ON
Why You Need Jenn
Jenn Harper is not just a name in the beauty industry; she’s a revolution. An award-winning social entrepreneur and international speaker, Jenn is the trailblazing founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics—a brand that has gracefully painted the ideals of sustainability and inclusion onto a global canvas. From its inception in 2015, Jenn has nurtured Cheekbone Beauty into a B. Corp Certified force, now gracing the shelves of Sephora Canada and JC Penney locations across the USA.
Jenn’s journey with Cheekbone began as a digitally native, direct-to-consumer brand that took pride in its commitment to reducing environmental impact and supporting Indigenous communities. Her formidable leadership made sure Cheekbone stood out not only for its stunning products but also for its ethical backbone—it became a symphony of transparency, philanthropy, and support for women and youth. To date, over $250,000 have been donated to philanthropic causes, testament to Cheekbone’s core values.
Cheekbone’s prestige has been hard-earned. In 2019, Jenn Harper made a confident appearance on Canada’s Dragon’s Den, the nation’s equivalency of Shark Tank. While she turned down offers, her unwavering resolution steered Cheekbone towards exponential growth. Jenn’s tactical negotiations led to expansive contracts with major retailers in North America, shining a beacon of inspiration for Indigenous women by placing an Indigenous CEO-led brand on equal footing with global industry giants.
Jenn Harper stands as more than a CEO; she is a voice for entrepreneurship, exerting influence on topics that are reshaping the business landscape: social entrepreneurship, empathy, representation, inclusivity, and sustainability. Regularly sought after for her insights, Jenn weaves her narrative as both a woman and a representative of North America’s Indigenous peoples, substantiating the importance of these values in today’s business ecosystem.
The accolades accruing to Jenn’s name bear the weight of her achievements. In 2022, she was listed among the 100 Women of Influence by Entrepreneur Magazine—a list graced by the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian. And importantly, in 2023, Jenn was conferred an Honorary Doctorate degree from the Goodman School of Business at Brock University. This honorary degree recognized her unwavering dedication to community betterment and adamant endeavors in championing sustainability.
Jenn Harper, with Cheekbone Beauty, brings forth a narrative of passion, resilience, and authenticity. Her biography is not just about the ascent of a brand; it’s the story of a vision brought to life, of barriers broken, and of a future envisioned where commerce and charity coalesce seamlessly, all painted with the strokes of an eco-friendly brush.
Always staying true to her Indigenous roots, Jenn Harper created Cheekbone Beauty with the mission to help every Indigneous youth see and feel their enormous value in the world while crafting sustainable colour cosmetics that don’t end up in a landfill.
Why You Will Love Jenn
We had Jenn at Conestoga College, and she was great! She spoke really well about her personal story and about her career in the makeup industry. She was fun and engaged with her audience. Super easy to work with as well from a professional side. We will for sure be keeping Jenn in mind for future events.
Rachel Palmer, Event Coordinator
Conestoga College – Conestoga Students Inc.
I couldn’t of asked for a better, down to earth, humble, honest and real speaker for this group of delegates to kick off this conference. She had attendees in tears with her story and everyone left inspired by her. She stayed with us and networked with us till after lunch ensuring that she spoke to as many people as she could. Her story is one that needs to be told. I would highly recommend Jenn Harper to any group. She is something special and will be a superstar soon enough.
Krista Hazlie, Director of Administration and Special Projects
Newfoundland & Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE)
On International Women’s Day our members attended a keynote by Jennifer. Her authenticity shone through as she shared practical steps we can take to support each other and create change in the world. Her personal journey as a female entrepreneur was challenging, but her resilience and determination were truly inspiring. The audience was moved to both laughter and tears as she shared her experiences. Above all, Jennifer emphasized the importance of representation and how seeing someone like yourself in positions of leadership can be a powerful force for change.
Carmen Swartz, Manager of Business Services
Timmins Chamber of Commerce
Thank you to Jenn for participating as our Keynote speaker, at our 12th annual Whitby Chamber of Commerce Connect Women conference. She delivered an exceptional presentation! The crowd of over 250 were awestruck; and we couldn’t have been happier as organizers. The feedback was so positive that two major organizations in the Region have requested she speak at their events! We feel blessed to have her grace our stage and share her story.
Natalie Prychitko, CEO
Whitby Chamber of Commerce