Keep pulling the thread on Gregg Renfrew.
Beauty Counter was the first company in its industry to physically audit its mica supply chain mines, where it discovered the use of child labor in India.
Beauty Counter grew to $300 million in annual revenue under the leadership of founder Gregg Renfrew.
Beauty Counter was sold to a private equity firm at a $1 billion valuation.
Gregg Renfrew was fired as CEO of Beauty Counter four months after selling the business to a private equity firm.
The failure of Beauty Counter under new leadership resulted in the company's foreclosure and a significant financial loss for Gregg Renfrew, who had rolled over a large portion of her equity.
Gregg Renfrew returned to Beauty Counter as CEO in February 2024 after being asked back by the board.
Shortly after Gregg Renfrew's return, Beauty Counter went into foreclosure after breaching its debt covenants.
Gregg Renfrew bought Beauty Counter out of foreclosure in a 48-hour decision-making process around April 20, 2024.
After buying Beauty Counter back, Gregg Renfrew shut the company down, laying off all employees without severance due to a lack of funds, believing the business had to "die first" to have a chance to live again.
Gregg Renfrew sold her first major company, The Wedding List, to Martha Stewart.
Gregg Renfrew's leadership philosophy was shaped by observing Martha Stewart's management style, which she perceived as leading from a place of fear rather than humility or servant leadership.
Gregg Renfrew believes her termination as CEO was prompted by a business slowdown post-pandemic as consumers redirected spending from personal care to categories like fashion and travel.