We recently connected with Charle Engler and have shared our conversation below.
Charle, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Being the only one in the room who looks like me hasn’t always been easy, but over time, it’s pushed me to find confidence in who I am. At first, it definitely felt intimidating. I’d sometimes wonder if my ideas would land or if I belonged at all, but I realized that my background and experiences give me a unique outlook, and I think that’s something pretty valuable. Now, when I’m in those spaces, I focus on listening closely, speaking up even when it feels risky, and treating every conversation as a chance to learn from others while also sharing my honest perspective.
What’s helped most is remembering why I’m there, knowing I’ve worked hard for that seat and that my voice matters. It’s also made me more intentional about getting outside advice from mentors and connecting with people who’ve walked a similar path, so I have support even if I’m the only one in the room at the time. These experiences have actually made me more resilient and taught me to lean into my differences instead of hiding them. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s made me more effective, and it helps me open doors for others too.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m the CEO of Luminova Beauty, a brand that all about bringing high-tech, science backed skincare to everyone, at an affordable price. The journey started when I saw my younger sister struggling with expensive products that overpromised and underdelivered. That frustration led me to dig deep into finding real solutions, which then inspired me to develop our flagship product: a red light therapy wand that delivers spa grade skincare results at home, without the fuss or high costs.
What excites me the most is hearing from everyday people who see results they didn’t think were possible, whether that’s fewer breakouts, smoother skin, or simply the confidence to go “makeup free” for the first time in years. Our mission is as much about empowering people to feel good in their own skin as it is about the technology behind our products. We don’t believe in selling “flaw fixing” solutions, no, we’re here to help customers embrace their individuality and beauty, whatever that looks like for them.
Right now, Luminova Beauty is growing fast. We’re expanding our lineup, including affordable bundles for oily, dry, and acne-prone skin. We’re also working on rolling out more redlight devices in the next 2 months.
I want people to know that when they choose Luminova, they’re supporting a brand that’s committed to access, honesty, and putting people before profit.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three things that made the biggest impact on my journey have been perseverance, curiosity, and the willingness to ask for help. Perseverance was huge, starting something from scratch is full of setbacks and second guessing, and there were definitely moments I wanted to throw in the towel. What kept me going was just showing up every day, even when results were slow or the hate from others was lingering in my mind. If you’re early in your journey, get comfortable with things taking longer than you’d like, and train yourself to push through the tough patches. It’s almost never as smooth as it looks from the outside.
Curiosity also played a massive role. So much of what I’ve built came from simply being interested, asking “why” or “how does this work?” and then chasing down the answers. Whether it was understanding how red light actually benefits the skin, or why customers were drawn to a certain type of product packaging, digging deeper led me to better decisions and better products. That means reading, experimenting, talking to people in the field, and sometimes just wandering into new topics for no apparent reason. If you keep learning, you’ll spot opportunities that others miss.
Finally, I can’t overstate how important it is to get comfortable asking for help. Early on, I thought I had to prove I could do it all on my own, but the real turning point was admitting when I was out of my depth and reaching out to mentors, friends, or even strangers who had a skill I needed. Most folks are willing to share what they know, especially if you show genuine interest and gratitude. If you’re just getting started, don’t let pride keep you isolated, your network can be your biggest asset if you treat it right.
In short: keep going when it’s hard, stay curious, and don’t try to do everything alone. Those three things opened doors for me that wouldn’t have budged otherwise.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, which honestly happens more than I ever expected, I try to hit pause instead of powering through on autopilot. The first thing I do is step away for a bit, even if it’s just a quick walk around the block or stepping out to grab something to eat. Giving myself a little space almost always helps me return with a clearer head and see what actually needs attention versus what’s just noise.
If it’s a bigger wave of overwhelm, I break everything down into the smallest possible tasks. Instead of trying to tackle an entire project all at once, I just focus on the next concrete step, make one call, send one email, sketch out one idea. Checking off even tiny things builds momentum and helps the mountain feel less intimidating.
One piece of advice: don’t bottle it up. I reach out to someone I trust and just talk it out, even if they can’t fix it. Sometimes, saying “I’m stuck” out loud makes it easier to breathe and move forward. Everyone deals with overwhelm, and there’s no shame in it. The key is to recognize it early, step back when you need to, and remind yourself that progress happens one step at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://luminovabeauty.co/products/4-in-1-ultimate-radiant-skincare-wand
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luminovaabeauty
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesengler/
Image Credits
TEDCO
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