Vicky Tsai, whose parents emigrated from Taiwan to Texas more than 40 years ago, is the founder of Tacha, a skincare brand based on Japanese beauty rituals. Her first products in 2009 were blotting papers, and she financed the first batch by selling her engagement ring and car, and moving into her parent's house with her husband. She struggled on with her business for eight years before turning a profit. It was worth it though- in 2019 Unilever acquired Tatcha for a reported $500 million.

You can listen to her founder story here: https://www.npr.org/2020/07/10/889810099/tatcha-vicky-tsai

Melanie Perkins of Canva

Melanie Perkins is the CEO and Co-founder of the billion-dollar Australian Tech startup Canva. She co-founded the disruptive online design and publishing tool in 2013 and has since managed to make Canva one of the world’s most successful tech companies. 

Melanie has raised one of Australia’s largest early-stage investment rounds as CEO of Canva. Canva was valued at $40 billion in 2021, making her not only one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in Australia but also one of the most successful Australian entrepreneurs of the modern era.

 

Jo Horgan of Mecca Cosmetica

Jo started Mecca Brands in Melbourne in 1997, to make high-quality cosmetics products available in Australia at the age of 28. A brand you have no doubt heard of; Mecca Cosmetics is now the largest cosmetic retailer by sales in Australia with revenues of A$538 million in 2019 from over 100 Australian and New Zealand stores. 

Her game plan was simple. In a nutshell, she cherry-picked a handful – seven in total – of the most pioneering, exciting or niche beauty brands not currently available in the Australian market, and forged a path to offer them under the stylish umbrella of Mecca Cosmetica.