Topicals founder Olowe exits CEO role, hands reins to ex-Fenty exec after $22M raised
What's the deal? Topicals has named former Fenty BeautyDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → executive Sukiana Chancy as chief executive officer, with founder Olamide Olowe stepping back from the role to focus on marketing, creative direction, and strategy. Olowe founded the Gen Z skincare brand in 2020 and is not leaving the company.
What's the endgame? Chancy takes over as Topicals pursues global expansion into the Middle East, Africa, and more of Europe, according to Business of Fashion. The brand already sells through SephoraDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → in the US, Canada, and the UK, and via Beauty HutDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → in Nigeria, Black Enterprise reported.
Why now? Olowe told Business of Fashion the company reached a scale where added operating experience would help. "I wanted to partner with someone who has worked their way up through marketing, built a global brand, and managed a profit-and-loss sheet much larger than ours," she said.
Who is Chancy? She joins from Fenty Beauty, where she served as general manager of its skin, hair, and fragrance divisions. Her earlier roles include stints at Cay SkinDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, DevaCurlDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and The Estée Lauder CompaniesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
By the numbers: Olowe says Topicals has delivered 12 times revenue growth in five years, sold 10 million eye masks, reached double-digit profitability, and raised more than $22 million. The brand has also contributed more than $250,000 toward mental health efforts, according to figures Olowe shared and AfroTech reported.
What could go wrong? International expansion brings challenges around distribution, retail partnerships, local consumer behaviour, and keeping a consistent brand identity across regions. Growing a recognisable brand abroad requires more than generating demand online, where Topicals built its early momentum.
The signal: The transition breaks from the usual narrative of a founder stepping aside amid trouble. Olowe framed her shift as moving into her "zone of genius," retaining creative and strategic control while bringing in operating muscle — a bet that the cultural relevance that set Topicals apart can travel to new markets.
Read more: balleralert.com
Image credit: Beauty and Fashion
