Meet Joni Rogers-Kante: a visionary, a trailblazer, and the heart behind SeneGence. Her story goes beyond founding a beauty company; it's a testament to what can be achieved when determination meets purpose. Balancing the demands of single motherhood, Joni was struck by a spark of inspiration. Every day, as she kissed her son, she found herself constantly reapplying her lipstick. It was then that the idea struck her: kiss-proof lip color. And so began her remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Armed only with her tenacious spirit, an idea she truly believed in and no investment capital, Joni’s search for a product that would truly live up to its long-wear claims - enter LipSense.
For Joni, it wasn't just about selling products; she was determined to create an uplifting business opportunity where women could both share her discovery and succeed together. Imagine navigating the world as a single mother with a vision so compelling that it not only promises a brighter future for oneself, but for women worldwide. An opportunity where women, regardless of their background, could build a business that offered a flexible pathway to financial independence.
With SeneGence, Joni crafted more than a brand; she ignited a ‘long-lasting’ movement dedicated to empowering women through innovative beauty solutions, and likely the first-ever long-lasting and clean beauty brand. Her journey from dream to global legacy invites you to believe in the power of vision coupled with action. Through the commitment to using advanced ingredients for enhancing skin beauty, Joni invites you to "Choose to live life in love and abundance...then work for it. "
In 1999, the beauty industry was forever changed by Joni’s introduction of LipSense® Original Lip Color, a first of its kind liquid color with up to 18 hours of smudge-resistant wear. With its breakthrough long-lasting color technology, her discovery defied convention by offering stunning hues with exceptional durability and nourishment, ensuring lips remain healthy and moist.
For Joni this wasn't merely a product launch; it was a declaration that beauty should be empowering, ‘literally’ enduring, and health-conscious. Her approach to blending science and nature in beauty continues to resonate worldwide, sparking a community of women who embraced not only a remarkable lip color, but also a philosophy of lasting beauty. As SeneGence expanded its product line to more than 300 clean beauty products, Joni's initial vision of empowering women found its true expression, reminding every woman that with the right mix of innovation and purpose, there are no limits to what can be achieved.
In the Vanuatu string of islands in the South Pacific, marks a chapter where Joni’s passion for natural wellness transformed into her product line. Always one to take a hands-on approach to learning, she immersed herself into the botanically-rich landscapes of the islands collaborating with scientists and botanists to locate naturally occurring resources that have proven beneficial to the skin.
Her early discoveries led to a comprehensive round-the-clock skincare regimen and played a pivotal role in the development of every product from cosmetics to skincare.
Today, SeneGence products are formulated with proprietary complexes and formulas that help improve skin from head to toe dramatically, 24-hours a day. Joni’s personal commitment to harmonizing clean beauty with nature's goodness is visible in every formulation, and so is her belief that beauty radiates from within each of us, waiting to be nurtured.
Joni's commitment to family isn't just a philosophy—it's a guiding principle that shapes every aspect of SeneGence's journey. As she often shares, "I make family a priority every day, and I think every woman should." This sentiment isn't just words; it's the foundation upon which SeneGence was built.
Joni's partnership with her husband, Ben Kante, Chief Strategy Officer of the company, is a testament to this commitment. Together, they've navigated the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, driven by their shared values and a deep love for their family.
But Joni's family isn't limited to just her husband; it extends to her sons, Alan and William, who actively contribute to the SeneGence legacy. With Alan as our Chief Experience Officer and William poised to join the family business.
Thanks to her unwavering dedication to family, SeneGence embodies values rooted in kinship and love, reflected in every innovation, milestone, and success achieved by SeneGence and its Distributors.
By 2002, Joni found herself deeply inspired by the empowering movement within SeneGence and the financial independence its Distributors were achieving. Drawing from her own journey as a single mother, she felt a profound desire to pay it forward. After a divorce that left her with sole custody of her son, Joni found solace in the unwavering support of her friends. It was this support that fueled her determination to create positive change by founding the Make Sense Foundation. Driven by her intimate understanding of the struggles faced by women of abuse and single mothers was her way to extend the same support and empowerment she had received in her time of need.
A non-profit dedicated to aiding women and children within the very communities where Distributors reside, the Make Sense Foundation stands as a testament to Joni's commitment to uplifting others and making a difference. Through cause-driven marketing initiatives and volunteering opportunities, SeneGence, under Joni’s leadership, channels resources and financial contributions towards supporting the foundation's noble causes year after year. Joni's pay it forward business philosophy and dedication to empowering women has transformed both SeneGence and the Make Sense Foundation into beacons of beauty and social responsibility, inspiring others to join the movement by creating a brighter future for all.
Driven by her vision to seamlessly blend makeup and skincare, Joni kicked off an innovative line of SkinCare Solutions and Treatments to cater to diverse anti-aging concerns and skin type needs. Drawing from her early experiences in sourcing cutting-edge, skin-loving ingredients from around the globe, Joni's knowledge of nature's abundance played a pivotal role in the SeneGence skincare line. Understanding the significance of skincare in maintaining youthful-looking skin, Joni's formulations have set a high standard and consistently deliver clinically proven results.
Joni penned her book, “Million Dollar Lips”, a heartfelt testament to the entrepreneurial dreams she dared to chase. The book invites readers into her world, sharing what she learned in building a company along with special insights from the Distributors that were part of it all. In it Joni also offers practical advice for navigating the world of Direct Sales, infused with her own brand of loving truths and how our choices shape our own unique destinies. In many respects, “Million Dollar Lips” is a training manual for those with a desire to learn more about the Direct Selling industry and how to harness its potential for personal growth and achievement, something Joni is proud to share.
Joni has played a pivotal role in the Direct Selling Association (DSA) as a member of its Board of Directors, the national trade association representing companies that connect directly with consumers through independent sales forces. Her contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Bravo Award from Direct Selling News in 2018 and the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award from the Orange County Business Journal. Joni remains deeply involved in both the Orange and Creek County communities, embodying a commitment to excellence and community engagement.
Recognizing the important role of nurturing Customer relationships and loyalty alongside our Distributors to both sustain and increase growth, Joni expanded the SeneGence business model with its groundbreaking Kiss & Tell Customer Loyalty Rewards program. By offering exclusive benefits and incentives tailored to meet the needs and desires of today’s consumers, the program is reflective of Joni’s innovative spirit and her ability to be forward-thinking. Through recent enhancements such as free sign-ups and dollar-for-dollar point rewards for purchases, Joni continues her commitment to empowering Distributors with the tools and resources they need to thrive, ensuring shared success and prosperity for all.
Joni currently serves on the Direct Selling Association’s (DSA) Board of Directors. In 2018, she received Direct Selling News’ Bravo Award and the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award by Orange County Business Journal, Joni is an active member of the Orange and Creek County communities and is also the author of Million Dollar Lips.