Bobbi Brown on Life After Her Brand: 'I Unwound Over Tequila with Neighbors'

Bobbi Brown recounted the emotional turmoil that followed her decision to leave Estée Lauder, where she had crafted her renowned beauty enterprise. Feeling a mix of fury and sadness after parting ways with the company she had nurtured, Brown sought a new path in wellness, dance, and ultimately, the creation of a clean beauty line.

Reflecting on a Billion-Dollar Journey

Despite being a titan in the beauty world, Brown's departure from the Estée Lauder-owned brand felt involuntary. To cope, she did what many do after a job shake-up—she gathered with friends. 'My neighbors came over and we shared tequila,' Brown shared at a Wall Street Journal event.

In her memoir, 'Still Bobbi,' Brown refers to the departure as akin to being dismissed, though no formal termination took place. Almost twenty years after her company was acquired, she found herself sidelined, assigned a ceremonial role distanced from the brand's day-to-day activities.

Pushed to Rediscover

Post-exit, Brown had four years remaining on a strict non-compete clause that hindered any affiliations with other makeup ventures. Without her children at home or social clubs to occupy her, she was far from ready for a laid-back lifestyle at 59.

Initially filled with hurt, she no longer feels 'haunted' by the experience. However, at the time, it was a deeply personal affront; her previous colleagues were instructed not to contact her, a stipulation she learned about while discussing the transition with Estée Lauder's legal team.

A supportive conversation with her husband, a real-estate mogul, led her to new ventures. Suggesting they transform a newly acquired historic building into a hotel, their combined vision brought The George to life in Montclair, NJ.

A New Chapter Begins

With time, she filled her schedule with lunches in the city and embraced personal interests like hip-hop dance and TikTok as creative outlets. 'I can't resist a dance floor at any celebration,' Brown revealed.

Her relentless drive soon led to new projects like Just Bobbi Shops, curated at Lord & Taylor, and pioneering MasterClass's first makeup course. She also dived into wellness, obtaining a health-coach certification and penning 'Beauty from the Inside Out.'

Realizing she still had more to share and teach, she anticipated the end of her non-compete agreement. Her husband held her back from launching a new venture early, leading her to eagerly await its expiration in October 2020.

That same month, she launched Jones Road Beauty, a brand synonymous with natural 'no-makeup' looks, utilizing eco-friendly ingredients.