Dermalogica Founder: Building A Billion Dollar Business While Looking After Your Mental Health

In this episode of the Diary of a CEO, host Stephen Bartlett interviews Jane Wurwand, co-founder of Dermalogica, who shares her life story from her early years in Edinburgh to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Jane reflects on her challenging childhood, particularly the impact of losing her father at a young age, which shaped her resilience and drive to be financially independent.

Jane recounts her journey from the UK to South Africa, where she built a career in skincare before founding the International Dermal Institute and later launching Dermalogica. She emphasizes the importance of execution in business, the necessity to create a strong emotional connection in branding, and how she built a community of skin therapists through her training and business ventures.

The conversation touches upon the challenges faced during the launch of Dermalogica, including resistance from the beauty industry and the significance of staying true to one's values. Jane shares insights on leadership, the importance of truth tellers in one’s life, and balancing the demands of work with personal relationships, particularly the lessons learned from her children. They discuss how to avoid the pitfalls of wealth impacting one's family and the conversations they had around instilling values in their children.

Finally, Jane reflects on the sale of Dermalogica to Unilever, expressing satisfaction and pride in their decision, as well as her ongoing role within the company. The episode concludes with Jane stressing the importance of self-awareness and the journey towards self-acceptance.