This CEO quit her job on Wall Street after a tragic loss and now runs a hair company worth $10m

Nancy Twine’s journey from a successful career on Wall Street to becoming the owner of a multimillion-dollar beauty business is an inspiring tale of resilience, passion, and honoring her mother’s legacy. After experiencing a tragic loss, she made the courageous decision to follow her heart and pursue her entrepreneurial dreams.

Nancy’s life took an unexpected turn when her mother passed away in a car accident. This heartbreaking event served as a catalyst for reevaluating her life’s purpose and ignited a desire to make a meaningful impact.

Drawing inspiration from her mother – who was a chemist and had developed a natural face cream, as well as her grandmother – who had instilled in her a passion for natural ingredients, Nancy embarked on a journey of discovery.

During weekends and nights, she immersed herself in extensive research about the beauty industry. Motivated by a deep-rooted belief in the power of natural products, she saw an opportunity to create something unique and effective.

In 2013, she took a leap of faith and launched her own natural haircare brand, Briogeo, an ingredient-conscious haircare brand designed for all hair types.

She always felt hair product manufacturers left her out when it came to her curly hair, and those creams that worked a bit always left an evident gap. During such frustrations, she found solace in her mother’s remedy for her hair.

Nancy started the business with no employees and later offered opportunities to interns and part-time staff who were fully integrated into the growth plan of the business, according to Byrdie.

What set Briogeo apart from competitors was its innovative approach to haircare. Instead of targeting customers based on ethnicity, Nancy chose to focus on specific hair textures such as wavy, oily, dry, and thin. This inclusive approach resonated with consumers who had long felt overlooked by the traditional beauty industry’s narrow definitions of beauty.

Briogeo quickly gained traction, attracting a loyal customer base and generating profitability right from the start. Its revenues grew rapidly, reaching an impressive $10 million by the end of 2018. The success of the brand didn’t stop there—Briogeo expanded internationally in 2018 and secured shelf space in prestigious retailers like Sephora and online platforms like CultBeauty in the UK.

Recognizing the potential for further growth, Nancy made strategic decisions to fuel Briogeo’s success. In 2022, she sold a minority stake in the company to VMG, an investor known for its involvement with the renowned beauty brand, Drunk Elephant. This partnership not only infused Briogeo with additional resources, but also validated the brand’s potential in the eyes of industry experts.

Nancy’s journey exemplifies the power of determination, resilience, and willingness to take risks. Through her dedication and unwavering belief in the natural beauty movement, she transformed her personal tragedy into a thriving business.

Today, Briogeo continues to flourish, empowering individuals to embrace their unique hair textures while redefining beauty standards in the industry. Nancy’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere, proving that with passion and perseverance, dreams can become reality.