How Chelsea Riggs Went From Broke to Beauty Boss

Chelsea Riggs found her dream job on Craigslist. Yes, really.

In this episode of SUPERWOMEN, I sit down with Chelsea to talk about how she became the first employee at Amika, why she stayed for 15 years, and how she turned a scrappy startup into a powerful, culture-shifting beauty brand.

We go deep on what it takes to grow alongside your company, how to navigate rejection, and why sticking to your vision is often the smartest move you can make. Chelsea is proof that you don’t need a perfect résumé to lead. You just need to start, stay curious, and keep showing up.

Episode Guide:

(00:00) Meet Chelsea Riggs, CEO of Amika

(01:31) Early signs of her beauty obsession

(03:35) Leaving fashion and moving to NYC

(06:32) The pressure of “sticking it out” at your job

(07:05) The harsh reality of the fashion industry

(10:47) Finding Amika on Craigslist

(13:24) Industry reaction to Amika’s entry into retail

(16:56) Pivoting to SalonCentric

(19:59) Handling rejection and uncertainty

(22:11) Why she stayed with one company for 15 years

(25:44) Navigating the Amika acquisition while pregnant

(27:16) What it was like to be promoted to CEO post-maternity

(29:25) Why she was chosen to lead

(31:51) Advice for founders on the importance of connections

(34:34) Reflections on learning from every role and building resilience