Prompt Cast
Vicky Tsai's Journey to Building Tatcha Skincare
TLDR Vicky Tsai faced numerous challenges, from personal health issues to financial struggles, before successfully launching Tatcha, a skincare line inspired by traditional Japanese beauty ingredients used by geishas, which eventually led to the company's acquisition by Unilever in 2019.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Vicky Tsai launched Tatcha, a skincare line inspired by the beauty products used by geishas in Japan, despite facing skepticism from many in the industry.
06:39
Vicky Tsai met her husband Eric at Wellesley College, and they both worked in finance in New York City during the September 11 attacks, leading them to reevaluate their careers.
13:10
Vicky Tsai experienced a series of challenging events, including working in Manhattan during 9/11, developing acute dermatitis, and facing a disappointing annual review at Starbucks.
19:02
Vicky Tsai left Starbucks after receiving a disappointing performance review, and then worked briefly at a sustainability startup before quitting without a clear plan, feeling lost and overwhelmed by debt.
25:09
Vicky Tsai traveled to Kyoto, Japan in 2008 to find unique blotting papers after running out of them in the U.S., leading her to discover the connection between these papers and gold leaf artisans.
31:19
Vicky Tsai discovered traditional Japanese beauty ingredients from geisha, such as rice powder and chamele oil, which helped heal her skin issues, leading her to create Tatcha as a way to share these authentic and safe products with others.
37:08
Vicky Tsai named Tatcha after a suggestion from a friend, which was later linked to the Japanese art of flower arrangement, and she self-financed the company by taking on debt, working multiple jobs, and selling personal belongings.
43:41
Vicky Tsai faced rejection and skepticism when trying to launch Tatcha, but she persevered by personally reaching out to editors and makeup artists, leading to successful press coverage and initial sales.
50:21
Vicky Tsai transitioned from selling blotting paper to developing skincare products inspired by traditional Japanese ingredients, working with scientists to create formulas based on green tea, rice, and algae seaweed.
56:04
Vicky Tsai struggled to secure funding and faced challenges with pricing and distribution when launching her skincare products in 2012.
01:02:01
Vicky Tsai faced challenges with pricing and distribution, but eventually found success after appearing on QVC and forming a partnership with Room to Read to give back.
01:08:15
Vicky Tsai struggled with financial losses and personal sacrifices for eight years before achieving profitability and facing pressure to hire a new CEO in 2017.
01:14:52
Vicky Tsai hired a new CEO for Tatcha in 2017, allowing her to focus on her passion for client care and product development, leading to the company's acquisition by Unilever in 2019.
01:21:12
Vicky Tsai emphasizes the importance of perseverance and gratitude for the support she received in building Tatcha over the years.
Categories:
Business
