# Bobbi Brown Cosmetics: Bobbi Brown (2018)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2021-07-19
- Length: 45m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-07-19-bobbi-brown-cosmetics-bobbi-brown-2018

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-07-19-bobbi-brown-cosmetics-bobbi-brown-2018#t=0) Introduction: Bobbi Brown and the Natural Makeup Revolution
- [4:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-07-19-bobbi-brown-cosmetics-bobbi-brown-2018#t=249) Early Career and the Inspiration for Nude Makeup
- [18:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-07-19-bobbi-brown-cosmetics-bobbi-brown-2018#t=1080) Developing the First Lipsticks with a Chemist
- [23:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-07-19-bobbi-brown-cosmetics-bobbi-brown-2018#t=1401) Scaling with Bergdorf Goodman and Partners
- [33:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-07-19-bobbi-brown-cosmetics-bobbi-brown-2018#t=1991) The Sale to Estée Lauder and Corporate Life
- [39:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-07-19-bobbi-brown-cosmetics-bobbi-brown-2018#t=2375) Leaving Estée Lauder and Starting Jones Road

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, companies scaling up, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Bobbi Brown Cosmetics (company)
- Estée Lauder (company)
- Bergdorf Goodman (company)
- Neiman Marcus (company)
- Jones Road (product)
- Glamour (company)
- Vogue (company)
- Keels Pharmacy (company)
- Laura Mercier (product)
- Shiseido (company)

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- [021: Using Public Research to Develop WINK Lash and Brow Oil with Megan Cox of Amalie Beauty](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-04-021-using-public-research-to-develop-wink-lash-and-brow-oil-with-megan-cox-of-am) (Product Startup)
- [Founder Feature: Veena Krishnan and Whitney McElwain of Daybird](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-08-10-founder-feature-veena-krishnan-and-whitney-mcelwain-of-daybird) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Emmanuel Waters and Courtney Tucker of Old Hillside Bourbon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-03-06-founder-feature-emmanuel-waters-and-courtney-tucker-of-old-hillside-bourbon) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: JoLynn Henke and Peter Clarkson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-05-24-founder-feature-jolynn-henke-and-peter-clarkson) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [244 - Jody Polishchuk from Sundays on how they made the first zero sugar creme cookie](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-02-16-244-jody-polishchuk-from-sundays-on-how-they-made-the-first-zero-sugar-creme-coo) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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