Entrepreneur India – July 2019

JULY 2019 l ENTREPRENEUR l 69

I

n the make-up
industry where loud
is what sells, Bobbi
Brown made natural
the new trend when
people least excepted
it. The make-up mogul made
colours like brown, beige and
pink the new go-to colour and
something every next-door
woman could relate with.
Brown’s vision for her brand
was to create make-up to
enhance and not something
you hide behind. For her,
make-up was always about
embracing natural beauty and
using it to make someone feel
more confident in their skin.
And that philosophy made
her champion the flooded
cosmetic market.

GROWTH JOURNEY
In the mid-1980s, Brown was
just toying with the idea of
launching her own line. In
1991, she was out there and
in a span of four years, Estée
Lauder acquired her brand not
just giving her tons of money
but also creative control.
The brand still remains the

industry leader, making her

the global beauty icon who

literally changed the way one

views the make-up industry.

Brown has come a long way

and Entrepreneur India got

in an exclusive conversation

with Bobbi Brown at India

Makeup Show curated by

Brothers Incorporated where

she talked about creating a

million-dollar business, re-

inventing herself and sharing

some personal details.

CREATING HER OWN PATH

While many of us opt for

secure ways to start our

careers, Brown started as a

freelancer. She didn’t wait for

people to call her and quickly

learned that one needs to be

fierce and bold to strive.

“I didn’t just wait for

someone to come looking

to book me for a shoot, I

went after any and every

opportunity. I did a lot of cold

calling to magazines, editors

and agents. I assisted some

amazing make-up artists like

Linda Mason, and even did

some work for free; rather

anything to get my name out

there. It took time, but the

hard work and persistence

opened doors,” she said.

POWER OF IDEAS

It all started with a simple

idea: to make a lipstick that

actually looked like the color

of a woman’s lips. After her

years of working on set, she

felt this is what was missing

in her kit.

“I started by designing

10 brown-based shades that

could be blended and mixed

to create unique hues. It was

a simple concept, but one

that seemed revolutionary

at the time. It all came from

wanting to teach women just

how simple make-up could

be. Having my own brand

taught me a lot about the

importance of trusting your

gut. If something doesn’t

feel right, don’t be afraid

to ask questions or change

direction,” Brown advised.

A BILLION-DOLLAR BRAND

Converting the Bobbi Brown

Essentials line of lipsticks

into a million-dollar business

was a wild ride. The line of

lipsticks debuted Bergdorf

Goodman in New York City

in 1991 and Brown expected

to sell 100 lipsticks in the

first month. But the universe

certainly had different plans

for her where she sold 100

on the first day. And it just

continued to grow from there.

Four years later, she sold the

company to Estée Lauder and

remained involved as a Chief

Creative Officer.

“I was lucky to have

a supportive family and

business partners who helped

grow the line into a billion-

dollar brand. It’s important

to surround yourself with a

strong team,” she mentioned.

ADVICE TO WOMEN

Today Brown is a name

familiar to every person who

loves make-up. And the only

message she wants to convey

to every woman who aims to

start something of her own

is, “Don’t think about it, just

do it. If it doesn’t work out,

find another way. Don’t give

up, and don’t give up your day

job until you’re ready to do so

financially.”

LEGACY & RE-INVENTION

It was in December 2016

when Brown walked away

from everything she had

built, gave up her role as

Chief Creative Officer, the line

she created and everything

related to it. It was quite an

emotional time personally for

her. But it did allow her to

have an open slate to reinvent

herself, something many of us

fear after reaching an epitome.

“I developed a hotel with

my husband in our hometown

of Montclair, New Jersey,

called The George. I started

a collection of supplements

called EVOLUTION_18, I have

a lifestyle site, justBOBBI.

com, and I launched a podcast

called Long Story Short. I

haven’t slowed down at all.”

UP, CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH BOBBI BROWN

Your philosophy
in life?
Be nice. Be
open. Be who
you are.

Positivity Mantra
I am an upbeat
person by
nature. If I’m
discouraged or
frustrated, I like
to push back
and get some
exercise or go
for a walk with
a friend to talk
through things.

The craziest
thing you have
done.
I danced on
stage at a
concert with Flo

Rida.

How's life as an

entrepreneur

like?

Non-stop and

very interesting.

If not an

entrepreneur,

what would you

be?

I’d be a health

coach. I

graduated from

the Institute

of Integrative

Nutrition last

year.

One book you

are reading?

Becoming by

Michelle Obama

If you could

recreate

something, it

would be?

I’ve always

thought I

could make

comfortable

cool shoes or

bras that are

smoother.

If you had a

million bucks to

spend in a day,

what would you

do?

I’d pay off

student loans of

strangers

Who is your

inspiration and

role model?

My aunt Alice.

She taught me

the importance

of giving back,

spending time

with family,

taking care of

yourself and not

take anything

too seriously.

One thing you

would like to

correct about

yourself?

To not say yes as

much.

One learning

hack you swear

by?

I love

documentaries. I

learn a lot about

people and the

world.

What's the most

stupid advice

you have ever

got?

To wear a big hat

so people would

remember me.

Your fav watch?

Cartier sport

Shoes?

Greats sneakers

One app you are

obsessed with?

Instagram

One gadget you

love?

iPad

A thing you

really want to

own?

Peloton treadmill