Our latest Beauty Boss is Rachel James, Founder of Pear Nova—a line of fashion-forward, vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free nail lacquers. A graduate of the International Academy of Design & Technology, James expanded her talents working in the beauty and fashion industries as a trained esthetician before eventually launching her own brand in 2012.

Pear Nova’s innovative long-wearing formulas are also 10-free and non-toxic, celebrate all skin tones, and are designed to serve as a form of fashion and beauty, sign of strength, and as an expression of art. Every season James releases shades that are influenced by innovators in fashion design, global travel, and creative women working in all artistic mediums. In 2019, she opened Pear Nova Studio in Chicago to offer a physical space where women could feel safe, pampered, and beautiful.

James and her company have been featured in Allure, Marie Claire, Vogue; O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others. A mother of two and advocate for domestic violence victims, she plans to continue supporting the causes that are important to her such as domestic violence awareness and female empowerment. We chatted with James, who shared the inspiration behind the brand, best advice, wellness tips, and more.

When was Pear Nova founded? What does the name mean?

I started Pear Nova in 2012 towards the end of my studies in college and our first collection launched in 2013. The name Pear Nova comes from my sister in love, Nova. After she was laid to rest in 2009 as a domestic violence victim, I knew I wanted to name my company after her. A nova pear tree is known to withstand extreme temperatures and conditions. The fact that Nova was such a strong woman and mother, and I was creating a durable product—I felt it was perfect.

What inspired the creation of the brand?

I remember giving my mom manis and pedis all the time, and after high school I got my aesthetician license then I went to school for fashion merchandising. A lightbulb moment went off right around the time I graduated college. I did a marketing presentation for one of my classes and made up a fake nail polish line even though everyone else did fashion lines because we were in fashion school. My professor was blown away by my presentation and told me I should go work for OPI.

I had always known I didn’t want to work for a brand, so I literally went home that day and googled “how to start a nail polish brand.” Nail polish felt like the perfect combination of fashion and beauty because it's both an accessory and beauty product. There was also a void in medium to dark skin tones being shown center stage in the nail world.

When I created Pear Nova I was committed to celebrating all skin tones, and since our first collection, our classic and gel palettes have been inspired by runway trends, my travels, food, music, my home (Chicago), and the female pioneers that inspire me.

Do you have a hero product?

Both Michelle Our Mama and Dianna Boss from our BRWNGRLMGC Collection are our most popular shades.

What’s your favorite product(s) from the brand? 

This answer changes often so at this very moment it is one of our gel shades, Novacaine. I love it because as a sheer pink nude it works with so many skin tones. Novacaine is my go-to base color for nail art.

Where are your products sold?

On our website and in Pear Nova Studio in Chicago.

Future plans for the brand?

We are paying attention to the shift in our consumers’ buying habits towards at-home nail treatments and are planning to soon launch an at-home nail system.

What inspires you?

Other women CEOs and founders: Monique Rodriguez of Mielle Organics, Melissa Butler of The Lip Bar, Beatrice Dixon of Honey Pot, Anifa Mvuemba of Haifa, and Shontay Lundy of Black Girl Sunscreen, to name a few.

Secret to success?

Trust your own crazy and get comfortable working through fear.

Beauty secrets?

I don't have any secrets, but I do have habits. I make sure to remove my makeup every night, massage my face (up and out), wear sunscreen, use weekly hair masks, oil my cuticles daily, and drink water!

Wellness tips?

Learn to meditate—you'll see your internal conversations shift.

Best advice?

Work hard. Stay humble.

How do you like to relax?

Normally I would say on a beach with a book and drink in hand, but since the pandemic my favorite thing to do is cook. It's one of the few things that makes me slow down.

For more information, visit pearnova.com and follow on Instagram: @pearnova

[Images courtesy of Pear Nova]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk