Our latest “Boss of the Week” is the 29-year-old founder and CEO of an organic skincare brand that sells everything for under $25. Yes, really.
Priscilla Tsai started cocokind in 2014 as a way to treat her own extremely sensitive and acne-prone skin. Frustrated with antibiotics and harsh treatments, she began creating her own skincare recipes using edible ingredients: Coconut oil, matcha tea, chia oil, and other “superfoods.”
Within a few months, the line was being sold to hundreds of retailers (no, thousands). Listen up: A self-funded beauty boss is speaking.
What was your very first job?
I worked at Fudruckers as a bus girl. I wouldn’t take back that experience for anything! That job taught me all about how to anticipate customer needs and stand on my feet (literally) for hours.
What do you “call yourself” now?
The Founder and CEO of cocokind!
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
“You don’t know what you don’t know”. When I was in college, a mentor of mine gave me that advice. That statement keeps me humble and makes sure I’m always trying to learn more. The hope is that one day you turn that saying into “you don’t know what you know.”
What does “success” mean to you?
Success means building something that people love and that empowers people. We’ve got a strong community of women that are changing the way people think of beauty. I love being able to promote self-confidence and more acceptance (and less hate) for our imperfections.
Instead of marketing this idea of achieving “perfect skin,” we give people tools to achieve healthier skin. If we can play a small role in helping more and more women achieve long-term self-confidence, I’d call that a success!
How do you manage stress?
My go-to de-stressing activity is to create recipes. Whether its skincare or food, using new natural ingredients and developing recipes is such a calming process for me!
I’m totally unplugged from the world and able to concentrate on being present in the moment. There is something special about creating something healthy for your body to consume—it ends up being healthy for my mind too.
What do you wish someone told you when you were 21?
Don’t try to be anyone but yourself. You are the most lovable and already loved, being who you are!
What inspires you and gets you out of bed in the morning?
Well I love coffee. But if it’s not coffee, I love waking up knowing that everything I do that day will have a direct impact on the company and/or our customers. That’s a pretty good reason to get out of bed.
