E34: How I Invented a 9-Figure Beauty Product | Rea Ann Silva, Founder of Beautyblender

How did a Hollywood makeup artist create a globally recognized beauty brand that has sold over 100 million units? Join us to hear the incredible true story of Rea Ann Silva, founder of Beauty Blender. Rea Ann shares the origin of her world-changing makeup sponge, which started as a solution to a unique on-set makeup problem. Rea Ann also details the challenges and triumphs of creating and marketing a product that was initially perceived as just a simple sponge, highlighting her persistence, innovation, and the strategic decisions that led to Beauty Blender's massive success.

Guest Bio and Links:

Rea Ann Silva is the creator and CEO of the Beauty Blender makeup application sponge. Silva created the sponge while working as a make-up artist for the Girlfriends television series. In 2019, her company's sales were expected to reach $215 million.

Listeners can learn more about Beauty Blender at https://beautyblender.com/, on IG @reaannsilva and @beautyblender

Resources:

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Beauty Blender

The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding

 Show Notes: 

• [0:00] Introduction

• [0:45] Welcome back! Jordan introduces our guest, Rea Ann Silva to our listeners 

• [1:00] Rea Ann gives a brief introduction and background of what lead to Beauty Blender

• [5:45] “I didn't invent the sponge. I just made it better for what the times needed.” 

• [11:00] Searching for a manufacturer and Rea Ann’s aha moment 

• [17:00] Makeup artists are really good voyeurs

• [21:45] Confidence vs. arrogance 

• [23:00] Scaling production and early sales 

• [27:00] Question: Why the name Beauty Blender? 

• [29:00] Rea Ann speaks on her brand aesthetic  

• [31:00] "Beauty Blender created a category. It was the first of its kind."

• [39:00] Financing Beauty Blending  

• [43:00] “What’s the risk IF I try?” 

• [46:40] Question: What was the toughest thing that you experienced in taking this product to market and making it what it is now?

• [47:00] Partnerships and severing ties in business  

• [53:30] Question: Who was the first person that you hired successfully? And what did you have them doing?

• [54:00] Finding Catherine Bailey 

• [59:00] Question: What are some of the decisions you have made that you are learning from now that you’re running a whole business?

• [1:04:00] “Catastrophes are a great teacher.”

• [1:08:30] Future 2024 plans for Beauty Blender 

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