How I Built This with Guy Raz Tatcha: Vicky Tsai (July 2020)
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Jun 2, 2025 
Vicky Tsai, founder of Tatcha, shares her inspiring journey from a corporate job to creating a skincare brand rooted in Japanese beauty rituals. After a transformative trip to Japan and an unforgettable encounter with a geisha, she defied skepticism to launch Tatcha from her parents' garage. Vicky discusses the trials of self-funding and launching a unique beauty product in a skeptical market, alongside her emotional growth and the brand's eventual $500 million acquisition by Unilever, showcasing resilience and the power of believing in one’s vision.
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Startup Struggles in Parents' Garage
- Vicky Tsai launched Tatcha while living in her parents' garage and took no salary for seven years.
- Despite financial hardships, she worked persistently, selling luxury skincare to high-end clients from this humble setting.
Inspiration from a Geisha's Skincare
- On a trip to Japan, Vicky met a geisha who used traditional skincare using natural ingredients like rice powder and camellia oil.
- These products healed her skin and inspired her future brand despite being considered old-fashioned in Japan.
Buying 10,000 Blotting Papers
- Vicky bought 10,000 blotting paper booklets from gold leaf artisans in Japan, funding the purchase by selling her engagement ring.
- She envisioned sharing these unique products with others despite not having a clear commercial plan initially.