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Bobbi Brown, Founder of EVOLUTION_18, THE GEORGE & Jones Road Beauty
Having founded Bobbi Brown Cosmetics; her billion-dollar empire back in 1991, aged 34-years old, which merely began as a lipstick line of ten natural shades, renowned beauty mogul Bobbi Brown, known for her signature ‘no-makeup, makeup’ looks, has powered on to create not one but three brands which are the epitome of everything the global makeup artist is all about; natural makeup and beauty from the inside out.
EVOLUTION_18 has an offering of beauty-inspired wellness products, alongside which is THE GEORGE; the health conscious boutique hotel, an historic inn built in 1902, which she renovated and renamed with her husband Steven Plofker. Most recently, Brown added to her portfolio of brands with the release of Jones Road Beauty, her collection of ‘beauty essentials’.
2020 has been an extremely interesting year for Brown - which reigns true for most, if not all of us. Though a complete shake-up, she manoeuvred the change by keeping a positive attitude, and finding peace in learning to adapt. “I learned to cohabitate with six to eight family members, and how to be okay with a messy kitchen; I learned how to use Zoom; how to meditate, which I’ve never been able to do; and how to feel good with my hair in a ponytail, instead of blown out by my hairdresser. It also happens to be the year that I launched my dream cosmetics company.”
In 2019, Brown and her husband took in a family of twenty Bohemians, who had lost their home from a devastating hurricane on the island. The family ended up staying throughout 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic. “It was amazing to help them temporarily resettle in New Jersey, and the coolest experience getting to know them all. It was so awesome to see the community come together to support — local restaurants sent food, companies sent clothing… it was a beautiful group effort to get the family back on their feet.”
“In 2021, #IPLEDGE to continue my mentoring of female business founders. I’m amazed by the number of women I meet starting their own businesses. I’ve heard the most inspiring stories of mothers juggling their jobs, families, and pushing boundaries to start the company of their dreams. These women are relentless, and #IPLEDGE to be there as a soundboard, as a friend, and as a businesswoman and founder who has been through most things, probably a few times. I’m so proud of my current mentees and strive to diversify the founder world by supporting women and minority groups on their journey.”