Tired of $1Billion celebrity exits? Here’s what the rest of us should actually care about.

If you’ve been sleeping under a social media rock, you might have missed today that Hailey Beiber just sold her beauty company Rhode for $1Billion.

Here’s the rundown:

• The brand launched: June 15, 2022.

• Sold to: e.l.f. Beauty (a US-based, cruelty-free cosmetics company)

• Sale Value: $1 Billion USD
  (That’s approx. $1.5 billion AUD, for those playing at home!)

• Structure of the Deal:

  • $600M in cash

  • $200M in e.l.f. Beauty shares

  • $200M in potential performance-based earn-outs

• Annual Sales: Rhode reportedly generated $212 million in net sales in the 12 months leading up to March 2025

• Hailey’s Role Post-Sale:
  She remains as Chief Creative Officer and Head of Product Innovation

• Expansion Plans: Rhode will expand into Sephora stores across the US and UK by late 2025

When headlines broke that Hailey Bieber sold her skincare brand Rhode for a cool $1 billion, most small business owners went from “Wow, that’s amazing!” … to “But do I really care?”

And fair enough — most of us aren’t launching product lines with millions of followers, celebrity backing, and billion-dollar buyouts in mind.

But here’s the truth: Rhode’s success wasn’t just about fame. It was about smart, scalable business decisions — the kind every woman in business can learn from, no matter what stage she’s at.

So let’s break down what Hailey did right — and what you can take into your own business today.

1. Personal Branding is a Superpower

Hailey didn’t just “launch a product” — she became the brand. From her glowing skin to her minimalist aesthetic, she embodied Rhode at every touchpoint. Whether she’s a gorgeous influencer or not, do you think she woke up and said ‘I just don’t feel like it today’.. no… she had that lip gloss in her hand no matter where she went.

For You:
Don’t underestimate the power of showing up in your own business. Customers don’t just buy products — they buy into people, stories, and trust. Let them get to know you. You don’t need to wear makeup, you just need to show up.

2. Start Small, Grow with Intention

Rhode launched in 2022 with just three core products. That’s it. But they were high-quality, beautifully branded, and spoke directly to what her audience wanted. So often, I see women wait until their business has ‘just one more offering’ ‘one more product feature’ ‘the brand photoshoot’ ‘insert any perfectionism excuse here’ …. don’t underestimate the power of solving one small problem for your audience.

For You:
You don’t need 100 SKUs or a fancy app. Focus on one great offer, one clear message, and one ideal audience. Nail it, then grow.

3. Consistency Builds Trust

Everything about Rhode — from the packaging to the Instagram feed — is calm, cohesive, and clearly thought out. It tells one simple story. It eliminates doubt.

For You:
Take a look at your website, social media, packaging, or email signature. Does it all feel like the same brand? Consistency builds credibility, even if you’re a team of one.

4. The Power of Strategic Partnerships

Hailey’s decision to sell to e.l.f. Beauty was smart. They’ve got distribution, supply chain, and global retail power. And she stayed on board as Chief Creative Officer. She leveraged the power of her brand and combined it with a back-end powerhouse. That’s not just a pretty face, that’s a strategic business powerhouse. Hats off Hailey.

For You:
Partnerships don’t have to be billion-dollar deals. Maybe it’s a stockist, a collaboration, a supplier, or a co-branded workshop. The right partners can help you grow faster — and smarter.

5. You Don’t Need to “Exit” to Succeed

Not everyone wants to sell their business — and that’s okay. What matters is knowing what you are working towards. When you’ve got a vision or end game in mind, you can break down the exact steps you need to get you there.

For You:
Build your business like it’s valuable — even if you never plan to sell. Systems, brand assets, and happy customers are worth their weight in gold. Know what YOUR end game is, and plan to get there.

Now, if you know me, you know I push the propaganda, ‘dream bigger’. And in my mind, Hailey Bieber’s billion-dollar moment isn’t out of reach for you. But that doesn’t mean that’s what you want. What I love to see, is that Hailey Bieber’s billion-dollar moves… they’re surprisingly doable. The challenge? Whilst these tactics are simple. It’s not easy.

• Show up.

• Keep it simple.

• Build trust.

• Think ahead.

• Play the long game.

You don’t have to build the next Rhode. Just build your version — with clarity, heart, and action. Oh, and steal her strategy.

If no one else tells you today, you’ve got this, gorgeous xxx