Tanashia Pennix
Technical Sales Leader - B&PC
Vantage Specialty Chemicals
Tanashia Pennix, Technical Sales Leader for Beauty and Personal Care at Vantage, exemplifies a career that harmoniously integrates science and creativity. Hailing from New Jersey and holding a degree in chemistry from Rutgers University, Tanashia’s professional journey highlights the transformative power of following one's passions while navigating a diverse array of experiences.
From Early Inspirations to Professional Achievements: Tanashia’s fascination with cosmetics began early, influenced by her grandmother's makeup rituals and the fragrances she used. This early exposure laid the foundation for her career in the cosmetic sciences. Although Tanashia initially pursued a broad field of study in biochemistry, her interest in the intersection of science and beauty led her to explore specialized areas in cosmetic science. Despite not knowing about these programs at the outset, she chose chemistry for its versatility and its role as the central science, providing her with a broad range of opportunities.
Embracing Uncertainty and Transition: The path from contract and temporary work to full-time employment was not without its challenges. Tanashia candidly shared the uncertainties she faced during these transitions but also highlighted the benefits of contract work, which allowed her to test various roles and companies. Through freelance opportunities and platforms like Upwork, Tanashia honed her skills and discovered her passion for skin and hair care over color matching.
Her advice for navigating these transitions is to embrace learning opportunities and be open to roles outside one’s comfort zone. The flexibility Tanashia gained from exploring different roles taught her to adapt to evolving company needs and to view career development as a continuous journey rather than a rigid timeline.
Unique Experiences Shaping Her Career: Tanashia’s diverse experiences include working with startups, indie beauty brands, and biotechnology. These roles not only broadened her skill set but also reinforced her commitment to sustainability in chemistry. Her exposure to various functions, from ingredient sourcing to sales, provided a comprehensive view of the industry and helped her understand the importance of integrating biotechnology into her future career plans.
Balancing Career and Family Life: Balancing a dynamic career with family life has been a central theme for Tanashia. She emphasizes the importance of setting clear boundaries between work and personal time. Her advice to other professionals is to recognize that balance is fluid and may shift over time. Self-reflection plays a crucial role in maintaining this balance, and Tanashia advocates for using outlets like therapy, journaling, and yoga to stay grounded and focused.
Advice for the Women in Chemical Community: Tanashia’s key piece of advice is to connect with others and learn from their experiences. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to career development, and gaining insights from peers can be incredibly valuable. She encourages embracing diverse experiences and staying open to continuous learning.
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