Nicola Kilner

Billion Dollar NIGHTMARE! The Tragedy Of A Billion $$ Beauty Business - Nicola Kilner, The Ordinary

Nicola Kilner, Steven

Founders Nicola Kilner and Brandon Truax launched Deciem, the parent company of The Ordinary, to disrupt the beauty industry with transparent, low-cost skincare before their partnership collapsed amid Truax's substance abuse and erratic leadership in 2018. Following a chaotic period that included Truax's court-ordered removal as CEO and his accidental death in early 2019, Kilner assumed sole command to stabilize operations and guide the company through a strategic pivot toward sustainability and social impact. This transformation, supported by an acquisition strategy from Estée Lauder Companies, ultimately secured the brand's future while prompting industry-wide conversations on workplace mental health and resilient leadership.