32 Inspiring Beauty Entrepreneurs Success Stories

Updated: November 19th, 2023
Start A Beauty Business

The beauty industry is growing at a rapid pace - valued at $511B in 2021, with an annual compounded growth rate of 4.75% worldwide. The beauty industry is predicted to exceed $716B by 2025.

If you are thinking of starting your own beauty business, there are many opportunities in this space to succeed. The most profitable branches in this industry include makeup, skincare, and hair products.

Following, you can find the most brilliant examples of successful beauty entrepreneurs' success stories to get inspired from

1. Pete & Pedro ($7.2M/year)

Aaron Marino (from Marietta, GA, USA) started Pete & Pedro about 11 years ago.

Revenue
$600K / month
Team
1 founders / 8 employees

Case Study

Hi - I'm Aaron Marino, the founder of Pete & Pedro - a premium men's grooming brand. I have one of the biggest men's lifestyle channels on YouTube with 6M+ fans and also have a few other businesses as well including Tiege Hanley, Enemy, Menfluential Advertising Agency.

I've actually been on Shark Tank two times... one of the few! Pete & Pedro is focused on the men's grooming market and our core products are our hairstyling/haircare/fragrance products led by Putty, Salt, and REBEL.

how-i-started-pete-pedro-a-6m-year-men-s-grooming-brand-featured-on-shark-tank-twice

2. Evolue Skincare ($2.4M/year)

Jean Seo, the creator of Evolue x Lue Skincare, came up with the idea for her business after one of her clients expressed interest in natural anti-aging alternatives. As a pioneer in the clean, multifunctional, and non-binary skincare market, Jean used her knowledge of skincare ingredients and formulations to create her hero product, the Super Oil Face Serum, which has sold over 300k units. With a focus on quality, transparency, and exceptional customer service, Evolue has retained a loyal client base and attracted endorsements from A-list celebrities.

How much they make: $2.4M/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
Current team size: 10

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How I Created My $2.4M/Year Natural Organic Skincare Brand

Evolue x Lue Skincare generated $2.4 million revenue last year, selling 300k units of spot treatment and winning 3 Instyle Beauty awards, while pursuing transparency in ingredients, excellent customer service, and non-binary branding.

About
Jean started Evolue Skincare over 8 years ago
Revenue
Jean grew the business to $200K/month
Costs
It cost Jean $50000 to start the business
Read by 8,488 founders

So... can you actually make money with a beauty business?

Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.

But how?

  1. Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
  2. Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
  3. Take action, because now you have the roadmap.

Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:

Start Now

3. Doppeltree ($840K/year)

Tony and Faye started Doppeltree as a side hustle, inspired by Tony's brother's success in the DTC business. Tony wanted to find a way to pay for his expensive lunches and saw the demand for cold brew coffee. Faye, on the other hand, wanted to create natural self-care products. They launched their website and started selling on Amazon, focusing on product innovation and improving upon customer pain points.

How much they make: $840K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 0

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How We Started A $40K/Month Side Hustle Selling All-Natural Self-Care Products

Doppeltree, a natural self-care product company in San Francisco, started in 2017 with an $800 investment and now averages $40,000 in revenue per month with 40-50% net profit, offering eye and face masks, a Vitamin C Facial Serum with Real 24K Gold Essence, and an Organic Cotton Cold Brew Filter Bag.

About
Tony started Doppeltree over 6 years ago
Revenue
Tony grew the business to $70K/month
Costs
It cost Tony $1000 to start the business
Read by 8,877 founders

4. Blue Nectar Ayurved Products ($360K/year)

Blue Nectar attracted and retained customers through a focus on superior quality products made with carefully chosen herbs. Their online marketing strategy, similar to that used for their spa services, has proven successful, with their customer base primarily coming from online promotions. They have grown from a few products to a global presence, with high repeat rates of 50-60% for some of their products.

How much they make: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100K
Current team size: 30

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How We Created A $30K/Month Ayurvedic Beauty Product Brand [From India]

Blue Nectar is a successful Contemporary Ayurved Beauty and Wellness brand that generates $150K/month with high repeat rates, offering world-class Ayurvedic products that balance traditional effectiveness with modern sensibilities.

About
Kapil started Blue Nectar Ayurved Products about 6 years ago
Revenue
Kapil grew the business to $30K/month
Costs
It cost Kapil $100000 to start the business
Read by 3,335 founders

So... can you actually make money with a beauty business?

Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.

But how?

  1. Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
  2. Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
  3. Take action, because now you have the roadmap.

Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:

Start Now

5. FBI Cosmetics Inc. ($102K/year)

Alexis Evans, aka Da Mademoiselle, started FBI Cosmetics amidst the pandemic after struggling to find employment due to her felony record. Her passion for flawless makeup and skincare routines led her to create her own cosmetic and skincare company, grossing over $62,000 in sales and partnering with Walmart marketplace in just a few months. Despite initial setbacks, Evans has learned the importance of consistent posting and thorough research, and she continues to strive for success in the beauty industry.

How much they make: $102K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.5K
Current team size: 2

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How I Started A $8.5K/Month Cosmetics Brand

A former felon's passion for makeup and skincare led her to launch FBI Cosmetics, which has grossed over $62,000 in sales since July 2020, through social media marketing, brand partnerships, and online sales at Walmart.com.

About
Alexis started FBI Cosmetics Inc. about 3 years ago
Revenue
Alexis grew the business to $8.5K/month
Costs
It cost Alexis $1500 to start the business
Read by 7,287 founders

6. keauty ($18K/year)

Kellie Yavalar, the founder of keauty, came up with the idea for her DIY face mask kits during a sales meeting when a colleague suggested thinking about food packaging as inspiration for beauty. After months of considering the concept and being inspired by a trip to Turkey, Kellie was determined to bring the experience of a warm, natural face mask with fresh ingredients brewed from a kitchen appliance into people's homes. She spent nights and weekends researching and developing the brand, teaching herself how to use the Shopify platform, and overcoming production challenges to bring keauty to fruition.

How much they make: $18K/year
How much did it cost to start: $45K
Current team size: 2

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How I Created A $1.5K/Month DIY Face Mask Kit

Keauty is a beauty brand offering DIY single-serve face mask kits featuring coffee or tea pods and specialized powder mix, with $1,500 monthly revenue in its early launch phase.

About
Kellie started keauty almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Kellie grew the business to $1.5K/month
Costs
It cost Kellie $45000 to start the business
Read by 7,599 founders

So... can you actually make money with a beauty business?

Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.

But how?

  1. Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
  2. Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
  3. Take action, because now you have the roadmap.

Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:

Start Now

7. Private Label Extensions ($7.8M/year)

Mikey Moran, one of the owners of Private Label Extensions, came up with the idea for the hair distribution and technology company when he learned about the high prices women were paying for hair extensions. With a background in e-commerce and a commitment to providing the best quality products at the lowest cost, Moran and his team have seen significant growth, with over $650,000 in monthly sales and a ranking on Inc Magazine's list of the fastest-growing companies. Despite initial challenges and mistakes, Moran's dedication to listening to customers and investing back into the business has been key to its success.

How much they make: $7.8M/year
How much did it cost to start: $14K
Current team size: 20

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How I Started A $650K/Month Hair Extensions And Products Business

Private Label Extensions is a hair distribution and technology company that builds hair brands from A to Z for entrepreneurs, achieving over $650,000 in monthly sales and ranked #278 of the fastest-growing companies by Inc Magazine for 2018.

About
Mikey started Private Label Extensions about 11 years ago
Revenue
Mikey grew the business to $650K/month
Costs
It cost Mikey $14000 to start the business
Read by 36,064 founders

8. Soak Society ($216K/year)

Natalie founded Soak Society after realizing there was no niche bath products brand in Australia. With limited funds, she started with a basic website and one product, gradually expanding her range as she gained more capital. Now stocked in luxury department stores in Tokyo, Soak Society is on track to turn over $200,000 this year.

How much they make: $216K/year
Current team size: 2

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Bootstrapping A Bath Products Brand and Growing to $18k/month

Soak Society, a bath products brand founded in Australia, has tripled its profits from last year and is on track to turn over $200,000 this financial year, largely due to their wholesale partnership with Japanese department stores.

About
Natalie started Soak Society about 10 years ago
Revenue
Natalie grew the business to $18K/month
Read by 6,225 founders

9. Ugly Duckling ($720K/year)

Ishan Dutta, founder of Ugly Duckling Los Angeles, started the hair products company five years ago after noticing the growing trend of women seeking fashionable and bold hair colors. Recognizing the potential of the online beauty market, Ishan decided to provide high-quality hair color and hair care products specifically catered to stylists and colorists. With a conversion rate between 1%-2% and an average cart value of $60, Ugly Duckling Los Angeles receives 600 to 900 orders per month.

How much they make: $720K/year
How much did it cost to start: $250K
Current team size: 2

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How I Started A $50K/Month Professional Haircare Products Business

Ugly Duckling Los Angeles, a professional haircare products business founded by Ishan Dutta, takes in anywhere between 600 and 900 orders a month, totaling around $50,000 per month in sales, with almost 60% of business coming from repeat orders; their objectives for 2020 include increasing profitability, growing digital traffic, expanding to trade shows and events, and releasing more innovative products.

About
Ishan started Ugly Duckling about 8 years ago
Revenue
Ishan grew the business to $60K/month
Costs
It cost Ishan $250000 to start the business
Read by 7,718 founders

10. POP COSMETICS LLC ($48K/year)

Kristie Chee, the founder of Olakino skincare products, was inspired to start her business after experiencing the loss of her baby due to toxic liver. Realizing that many skincare and makeup products marketed as "non-toxic" still contained harmful ingredients, she decided to create her own line of 100% non-toxic products. Through research, formulation trials, and feedback from family and friends, she developed high-quality, non-toxic skincare and makeup products that are healthy for the body.

How much they make: $48K/year
How much did it cost to start: $35K
Current team size: 1

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How I Started A $4K/Month 100% Non-Toxic Skincare And Makeup Brand

Learn how Kristie Chee started a $4k/month, 100% non-toxic skincare and makeup brand, Olakino, after suffering from toxic liver and being disappointed with the quality of natural skincare products available in the market.

About
Kristie started POP COSMETICS LLC about 3 years ago
Revenue
Kristie grew the business to $4K/month
Costs
It cost Kristie $35000 to start the business
Read by 5,494 founders

11. FATCO ($480K/year)

Cassy Burnvoth, the Founder & CEO of FATCO, came up with the idea for her business after discovering the dangers of conventional skincare products and the benefits of using healthy fats for the skin. With a background in engineering and a passion for Paleo lifestyle, she started making her own natural and organic personal care products using tallow from grass-fed cows. She rebranded the company as FATCO in 2015 and launched a full line of products, including their flagship Stank Stop Natural Deodorant.

How much they make: $480K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 2

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How I Started A Paleo-Certified $40K/Month Natural Skincare Brand

This case study follows the story of Cassy Burnvoth, founder & CEO of FATCO, a natural and organic personal care brand that uses tallow (rendered beef fat) in their products, which garnered $200,000 in revenue in its first 9 months and launched in Target stores in January 2018.

About
Cassy started FATCO almost 10 years ago
Revenue
Cassy grew the business to $40K/month
Costs
It cost Cassy $10000 to start the business
Read by 9,747 founders

12. The Laughing Tree Organics ($64.8K/year)

Bonnie Giangrande, creator and founder of The Laughing Tree Organics, started her business after learning about the dangers of chemicals in personal care products. Motivated by the desire to provide healthier alternatives, Bonnie formulated a line of organic and all-natural skincare products that are good for both people and the planet. Her commitment to sustainability and educating consumers has helped attract and retain customers over the years.

How much they make: $64.8K/year
Current team size: 1

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How I Started A $5.4K/Month Organic, Natural And Plant-Based Skincare Company

Founder Bonnie Giangrande shares her journey of creating The Laughing Tree Organics, an organic and plant-based skincare company that brought in $5.4k a month, to offer healthier and sustainable skincare options.

About
Bonnie started The Laughing Tree Organics over 10 years ago
Revenue
Bonnie grew the business to $5.4K/month
Read by 4,915 founders

13. Tree To Tub ($6M/year)

Tree To Tub founder, Michael Koh, came up with the idea for his natural skincare company after experiencing the benefits of Soapberries for his sensitive skin. Immigrating to the U.S. and realizing the lack of options for people with sensitive skin, Koh saw an opportunity to create a product that could help many people feel good. Through crowdfunding and a focus on product market fit, Tree To Tub has achieved significant success, reaching $3 million in revenue on its third year.

How much they make: $6M/year
Current team size: 23

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How We Started A 4.8M E-Commerce Skincare Company

Tree To Tub, a natural skincare company, solves the painful problem of people with delicate skin, resulting in $3M revenue on their third year; their signature products include shampoo, body wash, and facial cleanser made from the gentle Soapberry, and they have since grown to $4M and plan to reach $10M in 2020.

About
Michael started Tree To Tub almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Michael grew the business to $500K/month
Read by 18,136 founders

14. AlmondClear ($180K/year)

Leslie had been suffering from red bumps on her body for 20 years. She visited several dermatologists but the problem persisted. One day, she decided to visit an aesthetician who recommended mandelic acid. Within three weeks of using it, her problem was gone, bringing her immense relief. This experience motivated her to start her own business so that she could share her discovery with others.

How much they make: $180K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 0

article

Starting A Skin Care Product Business as a Middle School Teacher

Almond Clear, a line of skincare products formulated with mandelic acid, saw a revenue increase of about 20% each month for the first nine months after launching on Amazon in December 2017, finishing the first year of sales averaging around $15,000 per month in revenue.

About
Leslie started AlmondClear about 6 years ago
Revenue
Leslie grew the business to $15K/month
Costs
It cost Leslie $500 to start the business
Read by 6,915 founders

15. Tribe Skincare ($1.56M/year)

Kayla, the founder of Tribe Skincare, came up with the idea for her business after running a skin clinic specializing in microdermabrasion. She noticed that half of her customers were experiencing adverse reactions to "active" skincare products, which inspired her to create a gentle skincare range specifically for sensitive skin. With a niche target market and a return customer rate of 75%, Tribe Skincare has become a multi-million dollar company in just 2 years.

How much they make: $1.56M/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
Current team size: 3

article

How I Started My Own $100K/Month Skincare Products Brand

A skincare brand founder identified a gap in the market for sensitive skin and formed an all-natural, vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free range around it, scaling into a multi-million dollar company with 75% return customer rate in just two years.

About
Kayla started Tribe Skincare over 6 years ago
Revenue
Kayla grew the business to $130K/month
Costs
It cost Kayla $20000 to start the business
Read by 11,358 founders

16. Natural Skin Science ($90K/year)

Leon Eugene and Shawn Bo, founders of L. Eugene Natural Skin Science, came up with the idea for their business out of necessity when Leon struggled with embarrassing acne and skin issues. Unable to find products that worked for his skin type, they began researching and testing raw ingredients, ultimately creating a spa-quality skincare collection. Today, L. Eugene Natural Skin Science is a premier choice for effective natural skincare, with a loyal customer base and plans for future expansion.

How much they make: $90K/year
Current team size: 0

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How We Launched A $7.5K/Month High-Performance Plant-Based Skincare Brand

L. Eugene Natural Skin Science is a premier choice for effective natural skincare products, made with ingredients you can pronounce, and has generated $7.5k in monthly revenue, with a thriving, growing business built through gaining that personal trust from customers.

About
Shawn started Natural Skin Science almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Shawn grew the business to $7.5K/month
Read by 5,850 founders

17. AMPERNA ($600K/year)

of mouth and repeat customers. Our revenue has steadily increased quarter on quarter and we are gaining traction not only in Australia but also internationally, with strong sales in New Zealand and the USA. We have recently launched a Holistic Skin Coaching Service and are excited about the future growth and expansion of AMPERNA®.

How much they make: $600K/year
Current team size: 2

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How I Created A $50K/Month Skincare Products Company

Australian skincare brand AMPERNA® saw doubled revenue quarter on quarter since its 2018 launch, with the US its third-highest sales region, followed by New Zealand, according to founder Kiri Yanchenko. AMPERNA offers active probiotic skincare products free from sulphates, parabens and synthetic fragrances to help people with sensitive and acne-prone skin, and has just launched a Holistic Skin Coaching Service. The firm is self-funded and relies on boosted brand awareness via online marketing and word of mouth to find new customers.

About
Kiri started AMPERNA about 8 years ago
Revenue
Kiri grew the business to $50K/month
Read by 6,249 founders

18. Flowerdale Valley ($60K/year)

Mel, the founder of Flowerdale Valley, came up with the idea for her skincare business when she realized that the beeswax and honey from her farm could be used to create a hydrating and anti-aging cream. She started selling her first product, Bee Balm, along with honey, and gradually expanded her product range over the years. Now, her business brings in approximately $7,500 in sales per month and provides her income for her and her children.

How much they make: $60K/year
Current team size: 0

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How A Mother Of Two Started A $5K/Month Skincare Business From Home

A mother-of-two started a $5k/month skincare business after experimenting with beeswax and honey to create luxurious all-natural products, growing her business to attain over $7,500 in sales per month via multiple sales streams, including $4,000 per month at markets.

About
Mel started Flowerdale Valley over 6 years ago
Revenue
Mel grew the business to $5K/month
Read by 23,353 founders

19. Alitura Naturals ($1.8M/year)

Andy Hnilo, the founder of Alitura Naturals, never intended to start a business. However, a life-changing accident that left him with multiple injuries and scars led him to create his flagship product, The Alitura Clay Mask, during his healing period. With a mission to provide the highest quality skincare, Alitura Naturals now offers a full line of products and has garnered over 1000 reviews with an average rating of 4.9/5.0.

How much they make: $1.8M/year
Current team size: 6

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Near Fatal Car Crash to $150k/month Selling Skincare Products

Andy Hnilo, founder of Alitura Naturals, shares how his life-changing accident led to the creation of a successful all-natural skincare line with over 1000 reviews at an average 4.9/5.0 rating, sold in 76 countries and counting.

About
Andy started Alitura Naturals over 9 years ago
Revenue
Andy grew the business to $150K/month
Read by 10,518 founders

20. Nykaa ($486M/year)

How much they make: $486M/year
Current team size: 1311

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The Story of Nykaa, India’s Best Beauty Retail Platform

Get inspired by the story of Nykaa - India's leading beauty and personal care marketplace with an impressive yearly revenue of $482 million, expanding into fashion and manufacturing its own line of products.

About
They started Nykaa almost 12 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $40.5M/month
Read by 769 founders

21. Sheila Bella ($4.8M/year)

How much they make: $4.8M/year
Current team size:

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Sheila Bella of the American Academy Of Micropigmentation: Making It Happen

Celebrity brow artist and multi-figure company founder Sheila Bella shares her mission to inspire and empower the beauty industry to passively scale their businesses online, as well as being the host of the iTunes Beauty Entrepreneurship podcast PRETTY RICH PODCAST and in charge of the American Academy of Micropigmentation.

About
They started Sheila Bella about 14 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $400K/month
Read by 658 founders

22. Made by Ari J. LLC ($102K/year)

How much they make: $102K/year
Current team size:

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Meet Arielle Joseph of Ari J Collection in Tampa

This case study follows MadeByAri J. Cosmetics, a beauty industry start-up that offers a wide range of products, all at reasonable prices, and is owned by 23-year-old Arielle Joseph, a passionate young entrepreneur based in Atlanta, Georgia.

About
They started Made by Ari J. LLC about 11 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $8.5K/month
Read by 588 founders

23. Bodify ($4.2M/year)

are factors in our success. We had to work incredibly hard to build our business, but we also recognize that luck played a role in the opportunities and support we received along the way. We are grateful for all of it.

How much they make: $4.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $500K
Current team size: 5

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How Two Sisters Started A Fat-Freezing Empire

Sisters launch successful fat-freezing empire, Bodify, raising $400k from investors and family, achieving $440k in profit four years later through effective marketing, authentic branding, and providing standout customer experiences.

About
Jessica started Bodify about 9 years ago
Revenue
Jessica grew the business to $350K/month
Costs
It cost Jessica $500000 to start the business
Read by 10,013 founders

24. Zoella YouTube Channel ($4.57M/year)

How much they make: $4.57M/year
Current team size: 6

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Zoe Sugg - From Bedroom Blogger to Entrepreneur

Case study: How Zoella earned over $5 million through YouTube, with almost a billion views and over 10.8 million subscribers, and leveraged her popularity to secure lucrative advertising and television opportunities.

About
They started Zoella YouTube Channel about 15 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $381K/month
Read by 926 founders

25. Mented Cosmetics ($5.88M/year)

How much they make: $5.88M/year
Current team size: 20

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How Mented Cosmetics Grew From Side Hustle To Multi-Million Dollar Beauty Brand (w/ KJ Miller)

Mented Cosmetics, co-founded by Amanda Johnson and KJ Miller, is a multi-million dollar beauty brand that became one of the most in-demand all-expanding beauty lines for Black and Brown women, securing $1 million in venture capital with a best-selling nude lipsticks range and inclusive shade range.

About
KJ started Mented Cosmetics about 7 years ago
Revenue
KJ grew the business to $490K/month
Read by 539 founders

26. Birchbox ($200M/year)

How much they make: $200M/year
Current team size:

Birchbox: Katia Beauchamp : How I Built This with Guy Raz

Case study: How Birchbox disrupted the beauty industry to attract hundreds of thousands of subscribers, despite receiving negative feedback when it launched in 2010.

Revenue
Katia grew the business to $16.7M/month
Read by 900 founders

27. Urban Betty ($6.6M/year)

Chelle Neff, founder of Urban Betty, started her business by opening her own brick and mortar salon after five years of being in her own salon suite. She gradually expanded her team and transitioned from contractors to all commission-based employees. Eight years later, Urban Betty has two locations and over 50 employees, generating $3.3 million in revenue.

How much they make: $6.6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $69.9K
Current team size: 64

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How I Went From Hairstylist To Running My Own $3.3M Salon Business

This case study follows the founder of Urban Betty, who started her salon business with only one contractor, and now has two locations with over 50 employees, growing from 1.5 million to 3.4 million in revenue from 2014-2018, and investing around 2% of its gross income every year in Yelp, Google, and Facebook Ads.

About
Chelle started Urban Betty about 19 years ago
Revenue
Chelle grew the business to $550K/month
Costs
It cost Chelle $69939 to start the business
Read by 20,025 founders

28. SKNMUSE ($180K/year)

Ezinne Iroanya-Adeoye, the founder of SKNMUSE, came up with the idea for her beauty brand after experiencing the inconvenience of traveling with products that didn't meet her needs as a black woman. With a background in the beauty industry, she recognized the lack of representation and decided to create a brand that authentically catered to black women. Since launching with a pop-up event, the brand has seen significant growth, achieving a 169% increase in revenue and on track to hit its first 6 figure year.

How much they make: $180K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 3

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I Created A $120K/Year Skincare Brand For Black Women Recommended By Beyoncé

SKNMUSE, a premium beauty brand dedicated to elevating the beauty experience for Black Women, has a 40% customer retention rate, achieved a 169% increase in revenue, and made $30,000 in Q1 alone.

About
Ezinne started SKNMUSE over 3 years ago
Revenue
Ezinne grew the business to $15K/month
Costs
It cost Ezinne $1000 to start the business
Read by 3,018 founders