Nicole Gibbons is the Founder and CEO of Clare, a new startup that is completely reimagining the paint shopping experience (because I think we can all agree the typical hardware store paint buying process was in desperate need of a makeover). Before launching her brand, Nicole was an interior designer and entrepreneur best known for her fresh use of color and fashion-forward point of view on decorating. Her work and expertise has been sought by top media outlets like HGTV, OWN, The Oprah Winfrey Network, TLC, Good Morning America, The Rachel Ray Show, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Better Homes & Gardens and more. Talk about being an expert. In 2016, she had her lightbulb moment that the paint buying process was overcomplicated, and the rest is history. Now, her company sells fifty-five designer-curated, premium Zero VOC paint colors in two perfect finishes, no-fuss peel & stick color swatches and high quality painting supplies… all delivered right to the customer’s door. Wondering what this design boss does to start her day? She shares her morning routine below.

7 A.M. I wake up around 7am. The first thing I do is a guided meditation using the Simple Habit app, while sitting up in bed. I call it, “beditation!”

7:15 A.M. I hop in the shower. I’m pretty low maintenance with my body care. I use a citrus body wash from Trader Joe’s. My showers are usually pretty efficient. I wash my face in the shower using Peet Rivko’s Gentle Cleanser. I even brush my teeth in the shower to save time! 

7:30 A.M. After showering I follow up with Biossance’s Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, which is a really lightweight face oil that I’m obsessed with. My skin has been dry and sensitive lately so this really helps to rejuvenate it every morning. I’ve unfortunately been having breakouts lately, so I also use a few topicals prescribed by my dermatologist – Aczone & Tretinoin cream. Next up is makeup. My favorite foundation is Nars’ Velvet Matte Skin Tint in the color Cuba. I’m big on having well-groomed brows and eyelashes so I also use Benefit’s Precisely My Brow pencil with Tarte’s Busy Gal Brow Gel every day. I use L’Oréal’s Telescopic Carbon Black mascara, which makes my lashes look super long and feathery. Finally, I’ll brush out my hair and, if it needs it, I’ll bump the ends with a flat iron. 

7:45 A.M. Time to get dressed. I usually think about what I’m going to wear the night before, so I don’t waste time trying to figure it out in the morning. 

8 A.M. I usually tackle one or two chores around my apartment. I work pretty late into the evening, so this is my only time to get things done. It might be dealing with a sink full of dishes from having cooked the night before, sorting laundry to be picked up by my laundry service. 

8:30 A.M. I hit the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast. My rule is that breakfast has to be something I can make in less than 5 minutes. My go-to is usually a Daily Harvest smoothie or a Forager’s Coconut Cashewgurt, which is yogurt made from cashew milk and coconut, which I’ll eat with fruit and granola. When I want something warm, it’s eggs on gluten-free toast with sriracha. 

8:35-9 A.M. I’ll read the news, scroll through instagram or often I’ll start responding to work emails and Slack messages while I chill in my kitchen.

9:15 A.M. I usually leave for work between 9- 9:15am. I have around a 30-minute door-to-door commute if the trains are running efficiently. 
9:45 A.M. I grab a dirty chai from Idea, a coffee shop in my work hood, and then I hit the office ready to conquer my day!