How Leaders Lead with David Novak #259: Sarah Gibson Tuttle, Founder and CEO of Olive & June – Work on yourself
Oct 2, 2025
Sarah Gibson Tuttle, founder and CEO of Olive & June, shares her inspiring journey from sneaking nail polish as a child to running a $100 million brand. She reveals how frustrations in her early finance career sparked a revolutionary idea for at-home nail care. Sarah emphasizes the importance of feedback, self-awareness, and building a supportive company culture. She discusses her innovative marketing strategies during the pandemic and her commitment to creating a safe space for creativity and growth within her team.
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Secret Passion Became Purpose
- Sarah hid nail polish as a child because her father forbade painted nails and used manicures as a secret confidence boost.
- That early connection to nails later became the emotional foundation for Olive and June.
From Trading Floor To Beauty Founder
- Sarah spent a decade as an equity sales trader at JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley serving clients under intense pressure.
- The high-stakes client service trained her for fast execution and customer focus in her future business.
Experience Gap Sparked The Idea
- Sarah's idea for Olive and June came from comparing a flawless 'dry bar' salon experience to a mediocre nail salon visit.
- She realized delivering a refined salon experience for nails could become a new product and service model.
