Lady Lipstick

Written by Brit B Dubbs

Sandra Skinner is no stranger to the secret of succeeding in a largely diverse city. This Toronto native has called Vancouver home now for 20 years, and has taken the gay community by storm with her business savvy charm. You may recognize her as the owner and operator of the former Obstruction boutique in Vancouver, which closed after 13 extremely successful years. Sandra is still involved with her other retail store, State of Mind on Davie Street, acting as a silent business partner of the infamous boutique for the past 18 years. She says closing Obstruction was solely to focus on a new venture, joining forces with two friends to form Calm Waters, a real estate company responsible for purchasing properties in downtown Vancouver, mainly Yaletown, and making them available as rental spaces.

You would think with all that on her plate the lovely Ms. Skinner wouldn't have time for fun. Well, you are very wrong! Vancity ladies likely have known her as the fabulous face of Lipstick Jungle Events over the past 3 years, which is Skinner's promotional company that throws the best cosmopolitan lesbian geared parties in town. If you've ever attended one of the events you already know she guarantees you the sexiest conversation, cocktails, dance beats, and ladies on the dance floor (boys are welcome too!).

Sandra admits she came out officially at the age of 24, and says she's been an out lesbian ever since. We asked her if she ever experienced bullying and she had a surprising story to share; "I have been bullied on occasion but surprisingly more from the gay community than the straight community. I remember going to a lesbian club/event about 5 years ago and another woman pushed me and said that I was not welcome there because she thought I was straight. This was part of my inspiration to start Lipstick Jungle Events".

While Sandra has experienced tremendous success, she's not forgotten where she came from. She said, "...The accomplishment I am most proud of is the first job I had when I was 12 years old, I delivered the daily newspaper (in Nova Scotia) in rain or snow, and I didn't let being sick ever stop me. I pushed myself and I learned I could accomplish something difficult if I just kept going. I held that job for 2 years and bought a bicycle with the money I saved. It was my first big purchase". Those are the words of a pretty humble woman, and Sandra continues to prove this by using some of her events to promote and help out charities such as Loving Spoonful, Friends Help Friends and Dreams Take Flight.

She credits her success to being a hard worker; being persistent and not letting obstacles get in her way. Sandra says, there have been many obstacles, but they only made her stronger. She always keeps a positive mindset and stays away from negative people. Her advice to anyone wanting to start a business would be that "first and foremost success does not come from the pocket book it comes from within. Money does help but so does a passion and a will to succeed. I would suggest doing research on all aspects of your company including the demographics of the area you want to work in. Find out if people want the product you want to sell, then put your heart and soul into making it work. Surround yourself with supportive people. It's important to have the support of people who will believe in you, and help you grow rather than bring you down. Don't let pessimistic people bring doubt into your mind".

Find Lipstick Jungle Events on Facebook.