Episode 82 - Bootstrapped to Millions: The Inspiring Journey of Briogeo’s Founder, Nancy Twine

In this episode of Potential to Powerhouse: Success Secrets from Female Leaders, host Tracy Holland delves into the inspiring journey of Nancy Twine, the founder and CEO of Briogeo Haircare. As one of the few Black women to successfully launch, scale, and sell a global beauty brand, Nancy shares her incredible story, from her early days on Wall Street to building a hair care empire recognized worldwide. Her episode is packed with valuable insights on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the power of following your instincts. If you are an entrepreneur and feeling frustrated or blocked, this is a must-listen episode. 

Episode Highlights

• Nancy Twine’s Early Inspiration: Discover how Nancy’s mother, a chemist, influenced her love for product formulation and laid the foundation for Briogeo.
• From Wall Street to Sephora: Learn about Nancy’s pivotal decision to leave a decade-long career at Goldman Sachs to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams.
• Building Briogeo: Nancy shares how she bootstrapped Briogeo for six years before securing private equity funding, leading to its successful acquisition by Wella.
• Lessons in Resilience: Nancy emphasizes the importance of maintaining a growth mindset and navigating challenges, drawing from her own experiences during the 2008 financial crisis.
• Empowering Female Entrepreneurs: Hear about Nancy’s Dream Makers Founders Grant, a $1 million initiative to support underrepresented female founders in the consumer space.
• Future of Briogeo: Nancy discusses her vision for Briogeo over the next decade and the importance of staying innovative in a rapidly changing beauty landscape.

Key Takeaways

Nancy Twine's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, massive focus, and courage. There were times when she could have stopped, she could have talked herself out of pushing past fear, but she kept the build going - and look where it landed her. She has an ideal strategic partner in Wella and the ability to keep touching the lives of women everywhere, through her focus and giveback efforts.  Whether you're in the early stages of building a business or facing challenges along the way, her story serves as a reminder that with passion and perseverance, success is within reach. Nancy’s commitment to empowering women, particularly those from underrepresented or diverse backgrounds, highlights the impact of giving back and creating opportunities for others.

Ready to take your entrepreneurial journey to the next level? 

Be sure to listen to the full episode and subscribe to Potential to Powerhouse for more inspiring stories from trailblazing female leaders. Don't forget to check out Nancy Twine's podcast, Makers Mindset, for additional insights and motivation.

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