How I Built This with Guy Raz Tatcha: Vicky Tsai
Jul 13, 2020
Vicky Tsai, the founder of Tatcha, shares her incredible journey from a high-pressure startup job to discovering traditional Japanese beauty during a life-changing trip to Kyoto. She details how a serendipitous meeting with a geisha ignited her passion for skincare. Despite facing skepticism and working out of her parents' garage, Vicky's relentless spirit led to Tatcha's remarkable success and $500 million acquisition by Unilever. She reflects on resilience, cultural heritage, and the importance of authenticity in building a beauty brand.
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Tatcha's Success and Acquisition
- Vicky Tsai's brand, Tatcha, reached 70 million dollars in sales by 2018.
- Unilever acquired it for a reported half a billion dollars a year later.
9/11 Experience
- Vicky Tsai and her husband, both working in finance near the World Trade Center, experienced 9/11 firsthand.
- Her husband witnessed the second plane hit, and Vicky narrowly escaped her building.
Husband's Illness
- After 9/11, Vicky's husband developed a severe autoimmune disease, spending weekends in emergency rooms for three years.
- They ultimately decided to stop treatment, and he thankfully recovered.