Bobbi Brown Cosmetics: Bobbi Brown (2018)

How I Built This · 19 Jul 2021 · 45m

What this episode covers

Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, explains how she launched a $1 billion brand by introducing 'nude makeup' that looked natural, starting with 10 lipsticks developed with a chemist and sold at Bergdorf Goodman. She details the strategic partnership with Roz and Ken Landis, the pivotal sale to Estée Lauder for an undisclosed sum, and her 22-year tenure where she eventually clashed with corporate culture over creative control. Brown describes her departure in 2016 due to the brand drifting from her vision, leading to her new venture, Jones Road, after her non-compete expired.

Most relevant to

founders before launch, companies scaling up and large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Estée Lauder, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Glamour, Vogue, Keels Pharmacy, Shiseido
Products
Jones Road, Laura Mercier

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