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Estee LauderAmerican entrepreneur, founder of the perfume and cosmetics company Estee Lauder
Date of Birth: 01.07.1906
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Biography of Estee Lauder
- Early Life and Career
- Building the Estee Lauder Empire
- Marketing Innovations
- Expanding the Business
- Legacy and Recognition
Biography of Estee Lauder
Estee Lauder, born Josephine Esther Mentzer on July 1, 1908, in Queens, was an American entrepreneur and the founder of the perfume and cosmetics company "Estee Lauder". She was the only woman included in Time magazine's list of the "20 Most Influential Business Geniuses of the 20th Century" in 1998.

Early Life and Career
Estee Lauder grew up in a large family and never finished high school, spending much of her time working in the family store. Despite dreaming of becoming an actress in her youth, she gained entrepreneurial experience through her work in the family business. Her uncle, a chemist, inspired her interest in cosmetics and skincare, and she began making creams in her own kitchen.

Building the Estee Lauder Empire
In 1930, Estee married accountant Joseph Lauder, and together they began selling their creams. They advertised their products in the telephone directory in 1933, highlighting their superior quality compared to their competitors. Estee's products gained popularity, and she developed a reputation for honesty about her ingredients. She focused on the concept of quick and effective skincare, promising that her creams could make women's skin look young and radiant in just ten minutes.

Marketing Innovations
Estee Lauder's marketing techniques were ahead of their time. She presented her gift sets of cosmetics at charity events and introduced convenient metal containers for her products. She also offered free samples to customers and gave gifts with purchases over a certain amount. These strategies helped her build a loyal customer base.
Expanding the Business
Estee Lauder expanded her business by opening new stores, boutiques, and laboratories. She hired leading dermatologists and acquired competing brands, even though they had previously mocked her business acumen. Estee Lauder's company became a major player in the industry, with an annual turnover of $5 billion and operations in 120 countries. Today, the company owns seventeen subsidiary brands, including Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Aramis, and Clinique.
Legacy and Recognition
Estee Lauder passed away on April 24, 2004, at the age of 98. Her son Leonard took over as CEO of Estee Lauder. She was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame. Estee Lauder's inspiring journey from a kitchen entrepreneur to a global cosmetics empire serves as a testament to her hard work and belief in her products. As she once said, "If you have a goal, if you want to be successful, if you really want to do it and become another Estee Lauder, you have to work hard. You have to stick to it, and you have to believe in what you're doing."