From tales of transformation from a respected leader or a new take on achieving strategic success, here are the business books beauty company founders turn to for insights and inspiration. Editor Trudi Brewer shares them below.
From podcasts to mentoring, some of the most successful people in the beauty world seek help from outside sources, including many business books they refer to often. Some are still on their bedside tables, and I have guided them through the start-up, helped manage the growth and reminded them of their end game. Scroll on to discover the books they credit to their success.
Anna Teal, CEO, Aromatherapy Associates
The book: Future-Engage-Deliver: The Essential Guide to Your Leadership.
The Essential Guide to Your Leadership, $55.
I actually find digesting business books tricky, and have learnt more from podcasts and practical courses. That said, ‘Future-Engage-Deliver’ was pivotal in my career. It carries a very simple but powerful leadership philosophy that has stood me well in the 15 years since I was taught and holds as true today as it did then. Transforming culture, performance, or a business isn't possible unless you follow the fundamentals of that approach. Paint a clear picture of the future, engage stakeholders on why it matters and what it will mean to them, and then outline the plan, timings and resources to deliver it - Anna Teal, CEO, Aromatherapy Associates.
Amy Whang, President, Maybelline/Garnier/Essie
The book: The Heart of Business by Hubert Joly with Caroline Lambert.
The Heart of Business, $45.
This is one of the most impactful books I've read recently. It's built around the importance of people within organisations, supporting them in what they need most in the moment, whether it be personal or professional. Within L'Oréal, we have always led with a people-first mentality, so the book really spoke to me, further instilling the mantra that leaders who truly put people, coaching and mentoring first generate the best results - Amy Whang, President, Maybelline/Garnier/Essie.
"One of the most impactful and transformative business books I have ever read, this is not just another business book and is worth every minute of your time. The book describes a personal journey, the transformation of Hubert Joly as a leader, and how he orchestrated the spectacular turnaround of Best Buy, a retailer many of us thought was dead prior to his taking the reins. He provides a compelling and inspiring point of view: he advocates that the way to unleash creativity, innovation and human magic to achieve extraordinary outcomes is by putting people and purpose at the heart of business. For me, it is perhaps the best combination of utterly inspiring yet deeply practical advice to help me grow a young business like BeautyHealth - Andrew Stanleick, CEO, BeautyHealth the parent company of Hydrafacial, was most recently executive vice president, Americas, of Coty Inc, and global CEO of Coty’s venture with Kylie Jenner’s Kylie Cosmetics and Kim Kardashian West’s KKW Beauty brand.
Lisa Sequino, CEO and co-founder, JLO Beauty + Lifestyle Companies
The Book: Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad, $27.
This book emphasised the importance of financial literacy and independence during the early stages of my career but also provided the clear thinking and prioritisation needed to run an efficient and agile company that I still use today - Lisa Sequino, CEO and co-founder of JLO Beauty Lifestyle Companies.
Niki Leondakis CEO, Core Power Yoga
The book: Love As a Business Strategy by Mohammad F. Anwar, Frank E. Danna and Jeffrey F. Ma.
Love As a Business Strategy, $17.
The authors of this book are incredibly candid about their biggest business mistakes and successes, sharing relatable real-world examples. It's an inspiring story of a company that goes from its darkest days to thriving. It provides a practical playbook and testimony for my longstanding belief that a company is nothing without its people. The book offers a compelling validation that the best approach to optimising a business's performance or solving problems is to listen to and love your people. Love wins - Niki Leondakis CEO Core Power Yoga.
Summer Friday’s co-founder Marianna Hewitt,
The book: Activate Your Brain: How Understanding Your Brain Can Improve Your Work - and Your Life,
Activate your Brain, $22.
A Wall Street Journal bestselling ebook - and the book I reach for in the morning. Activate Your Brain, is just about different things you can do to help rewire your brain to be more productive or functional, whatever you need for your professional or personal life - Summer Friday’s co-founder Marianna Hewitt.
Vicky Tsai, CEO of luxury skincare brand Tatcha
The book: Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz.
Pour Your Heart Into It, $28.
The first job I took out of Harvard Business School was at Starbucks. I have read it four times. Once a year into my job there, once before my first interview with Starbucks, once when I was starting my own company, and again after preparing to hand over the reins at my company to the next generation of leadership - Vicky Tsai, CEO of luxury skincare brand Tatcha.
The Japanese-inspired skincare brand was sold to Unilever for 500 million in 2019.
*Source Jenny B. Fine WWD
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