Interview
Billion Dollar NIGHTMARE! The Tragedy Of A Billion $$ Beauty Business - Nicola Kilner, The Ordinary
- The speaker anticipates a potential acquisition resulting in 100% ownership by Estée Lauder Companies next summer, concluding a seven-year investment period.
- Plans include restarting the company's incubator engine via a dedicated team to address brand dominance issues and hiring a new General Manager to manage supply chain and scaling.
- Strategic priorities involve shifting focus toward brand culture and social impact while maintaining values of belonging and kindness, alongside a commitment to hot-desking for leadership accessibility.
- The speaker predicts continued production challenges with "The Ordinary," requiring 400,000 daily units six years post-launch, while also noting that revenue shortfalls may necessitate headcount reductions.
- Long-term expectations include broader industry transparency, improved quality and pricing in skincare, and increased sustainability and social impact driven by company growth.
- Personal outlook involves achieving financial independence in the 20s to ensure future generational freedom, with no current plans to leave the company but a desire to eventually prioritize motherhood.
- The speaker notes a conditional risk that the company's success in scaling depends on navigating supply constraints and balancing high performance with a family-oriented culture.
- Regarding personal well-being, the speaker acknowledges potential emotional turbulence from the past year but indicates a future intent to seek psychological support when timing permits.