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Strategically scale your beauty brand and pave the way for acquisition. Exiting experts cover the common mistakes to avoid and the crucial steps to attract the right buyers: hitting EBITDA goals, smart financial planning, and leveraging key partnerships for a seamless and successful sale.

Author:

Michael Pihowich

Partner
Baker Tilly

Michael advises private equity and corporate clients on buy- and sell-side transactions. His experience covers a broad range of industries with a current focus on manufacturing and distribution and consumer products (beauty, personal care, food and beverage, and apparel) sold through channels including e-commerce, multiunit retail, wholesale, and specialty. He also advises on transactions for restaurants, franchises, and hospitality.

Prior to his work in TAS, for over 10 years, Michael held positions in business finance, global product management and corporate development at large multinational companies. He began his career at a Big Four firm in Toronto, Canada in the assurance and consulting practices.

 

Michael Pihowich

Partner
Baker Tilly

Michael advises private equity and corporate clients on buy- and sell-side transactions. His experience covers a broad range of industries with a current focus on manufacturing and distribution and consumer products (beauty, personal care, food and beverage, and apparel) sold through channels including e-commerce, multiunit retail, wholesale, and specialty. He also advises on transactions for restaurants, franchises, and hospitality.

Prior to his work in TAS, for over 10 years, Michael held positions in business finance, global product management and corporate development at large multinational companies. He began his career at a Big Four firm in Toronto, Canada in the assurance and consulting practices.

 

Author:

Nicolas Geiger

Executive Board Member
L’Occitane

Nicolas GEIGER is CEO for L’Occitane au Bresil brand, Managing Director of the Brazilian Business Unit and Group Business Development Executive based in New York.

Prior to that Nicolas was the President for L’OCCITANE GROUP in Japan for 5 years where he operated a turnaround plan for of the largest operation of the group. He first joined the company as a Marketing Director in Brasil, and was then 3 years later promoted General Manager of the subsidiary for 3 more years before leaving for Japan.


Before joining the L’OCCITANE GROUP, Nicolas started his career in the Teach First program (a spin-off of the Teach for America program in the UK), teaching mathematics for two years in a challenging school in North East London.  After the program, he joined joined Angel des Montagnes, a small decoration company based in Geneva that he contributed to develop internationally before joining the INSEAD MBA program.In addition to his MBA from INSEAD and a certification in Business Sustainability Management from Cambridge  Institute for Sustainability Leadership, Nicolas also holds a degree in Engineering Economics and Management from Oxford University and a Qualified Teacher Status for mathematics in the UK.

 

Nicolas Geiger

Executive Board Member
L’Occitane

Nicolas GEIGER is CEO for L’Occitane au Bresil brand, Managing Director of the Brazilian Business Unit and Group Business Development Executive based in New York.

Prior to that Nicolas was the President for L’OCCITANE GROUP in Japan for 5 years where he operated a turnaround plan for of the largest operation of the group. He first joined the company as a Marketing Director in Brasil, and was then 3 years later promoted General Manager of the subsidiary for 3 more years before leaving for Japan.


Before joining the L’OCCITANE GROUP, Nicolas started his career in the Teach First program (a spin-off of the Teach for America program in the UK), teaching mathematics for two years in a challenging school in North East London.  After the program, he joined joined Angel des Montagnes, a small decoration company based in Geneva that he contributed to develop internationally before joining the INSEAD MBA program.In addition to his MBA from INSEAD and a certification in Business Sustainability Management from Cambridge  Institute for Sustainability Leadership, Nicolas also holds a degree in Engineering Economics and Management from Oxford University and a Qualified Teacher Status for mathematics in the UK.

 

Author:

Tara Hyland

Principal
Main Post Partners

Tara Hyland is a Principal at Main Post Partners, a growth equity firm focused on investing in high-growth consumer businesses. Within the consumer industry, Tara focuses on investing in and advising differentiated beauty and personal care companies such as Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Sugared + Bronzed and Not Your Mother’s, supporting management as they build enduring lifestyle brands.  Prior to joining Main Post Partners, she was a Vice President at Swander Pace Capital, which she joined in 2015 after working in the Consumer & Retail Investment Banking group within KeyBanc Capital Markets. Tara earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Miami University of Ohio.

Tara Hyland

Principal
Main Post Partners

Tara Hyland is a Principal at Main Post Partners, a growth equity firm focused on investing in high-growth consumer businesses. Within the consumer industry, Tara focuses on investing in and advising differentiated beauty and personal care companies such as Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Sugared + Bronzed and Not Your Mother’s, supporting management as they build enduring lifestyle brands.  Prior to joining Main Post Partners, she was a Vice President at Swander Pace Capital, which she joined in 2015 after working in the Consumer & Retail Investment Banking group within KeyBanc Capital Markets. Tara earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Miami University of Ohio.

Founders at all stages, this is your opportunity to engage directly with investors during a relaxed breakfast focused on funding. Come prepared with your questions and leave with actionable insights tailored to your brand's growth journey.

Quick Box // Leaders in Marketing Excellence // Leaders in Operational Excellence

Our awards elevate visionary brands, disruptors, and sustainability heroes, hosting a celebration that empowers the entire beauty community.

Enter here.

Nominate a brand here.

Awards Committee:

Author:

Akshay Talati

Chief Innovation Officer
Supergoop!

Akshay Talati

Chief Innovation Officer
Supergoop!

Author:

Carla Ruiz

Senior Vice President, Global M&A
Shiseido Group

Carla Ruiz, SVP of Global M&A at Shiseido, brilliantly merges financial expertise with her passion for beauty. With an MBA from Columbia and a background in investment banking and global business development at Johnson & Johnson, she brings deep industry insight.

At Shiseido, Carla has spearheaded pivotal deals like the Drunk Elephant acquisition and the Tory Burch beauty license partnership. She leads her M&A team with a collaborative, founder-centric approach, seeing the industry's rapid change as an opportunity for respectful, accelerated growth. Beyond deals, Carla champions mentorship at Shiseido and supports first-generation college students through America Needs You.

Carla Ruiz

Senior Vice President, Global M&A
Shiseido Group

Carla Ruiz, SVP of Global M&A at Shiseido, brilliantly merges financial expertise with her passion for beauty. With an MBA from Columbia and a background in investment banking and global business development at Johnson & Johnson, she brings deep industry insight.

At Shiseido, Carla has spearheaded pivotal deals like the Drunk Elephant acquisition and the Tory Burch beauty license partnership. She leads her M&A team with a collaborative, founder-centric approach, seeing the industry's rapid change as an opportunity for respectful, accelerated growth. Beyond deals, Carla champions mentorship at Shiseido and supports first-generation college students through America Needs You.

Author:

Malena Higuera

CEO
NOYZ

Malena Higuera is a recognized leader in product innovation, culture and community-first marketing, and digitally-forward strategic vision, blending creative brand development, operational excellence with a passion for fostering diverse and inclusive cultures. With 25 years of experience on multiple brands at L’Oréal across all channels, key markets and categories, Higuera has built a reputation for fostering strong connections with consumers, retailers, and stakeholders, while always keeping a pulse on fast-paced business needs.

Malena Higuera

CEO
NOYZ

Malena Higuera is a recognized leader in product innovation, culture and community-first marketing, and digitally-forward strategic vision, blending creative brand development, operational excellence with a passion for fostering diverse and inclusive cultures. With 25 years of experience on multiple brands at L’Oréal across all channels, key markets and categories, Higuera has built a reputation for fostering strong connections with consumers, retailers, and stakeholders, while always keeping a pulse on fast-paced business needs.

Author:

Ilya Seglin

Managing Director, Investment Banking: Consumer, Retail & E-Commerce
Cascadia Capital

Ilya Seglin

Managing Director, Investment Banking: Consumer, Retail & E-Commerce
Cascadia Capital