8 Inspiring Latinx Entreprenistas that have launched groundbreaking companies
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ve put together a list of 8 incredible Latinx women founders that have launched groundbreaking companies. Check it out:
Jessica Alba: The Honest Company
Founded in 2011, The Honest Company makes sustainable, well-designed products that work – built on transparency, trust, and a deep sense of purpose. In 2020, the company’s revenue was $300.5 million; and in June 2021, they announced their new sustainable packaging initiative for beauty, “featuring 100% recyclable cartons using 100% tree-free paper made from upcycled sugarcane by-product.”
Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton: Chillhouse
Cyndi founded Chillhouse in 2017 with the goal to streamline the spa and beauty experience for busy New Yorkers. Chillhouse’s Flagship store is located in SoHo and they have expanded to two other locations. Their chic self-care destination offers massages, nail services, facials, a cafe, and more. In addition to their brick and mortar stores, Chillhouse also has an elaborate online shop and their press-on nails are newly available at Target.
Image courtesy of Chillhouse
Katia Beauchamp: Birchbox
After graduating from Harvard Business School in 2010, Katia Beachamp and Hayley Barna co-founded Birchbox. Birchbox is an online subscription service that allows consumers to sample skincare items, perfumes, organic based products, and various other cosmetics. Their subscriptions make for fantastic gifts, or a monthly “treat-yourself” indulgence.
Vanessa Torrivilla: Goldbelly
Growing up in Venezuela, Vanessa was taught that to be successful she should be an engineer or doctor – but after college, she fell in love with design, marketing, and branding and realized that it was a feasible career. She co-founded Goldbelly to improve discovery of the best foods in every city around the United States and make these delicious finds available nationwide.
Katerina Von Drachenberg: KVD Beauty
Katerine Von Drachenberg, also known as Kat Von D, is a Mexican-American model, entrepreneur, tattoo artist, and recording artist. Her cosmetic line, KVD Beauty, features bold collections of unexpected products and vivid colors. KVD launched in 2008 with only four red lipsticks, and today the makeup brand has more than 250 innovative products sold in 36 countries around the world.
Aydé Soto: Simple Citizen
Originally from Mexico, Aydé Soto understands the struggles and challenges of immigrating to the United States, and her firsthand experience inspired her to help the immigration process run more smoothly. SimpleCitizen helps people achieve their biggest dreams by offering an easy to use solution where they can safely and accurately apply, submit, and stay on top of their immigration status.
Mara Zepeda: Switchboard
Mara Zepeda and her co-founder Sean Lerner wanted to create an intuitive platform that priortized fostering community. Switchboard merged with its sister company, Hearken, and now serves independent schools, colleges, farmers, nonprofits, affinity communities, and membership organizations and helps them “create responsive, caring networks where members of their community can find and share transformative opportunities.”
Rea Ann Silva: Beautyblender
In 2003, Rea Ann Silva launched Beautyblender. As a Latina, she understood the nuances in skintone, which directly correlated to the creation of the Beautyblender. Her makeup company promises to help people feel comfortable in their own skin. If her company revenue is any indication, Silva is delivering on her promise as Beautyblender sales reached $175 million in 2019. She shared all about growing her business and her career on the Entreprenista podcast – listen in here!
Image courtesy of Beautyblender