By Tia Cristy
Tracy Holland is a distinguished force in the beauty and wellness industry, renowned for her entrepreneurial acumen, visionary leadership, and commitment to empowering women. As a founder, investor, Executive Chairman, and entrepreneur, Tracy has established herself as an authority on beauty and wellness with a global track record of successfully incubating and launching abounding brands. Her journey is marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements that have left an indelible mark on the industry.
The Money-Making Rebel With A Cause
Born New Yorker, Tracy was the daughter of a nuclear physicist P.H.D., and a psychologist P.H.D., so education was kind of a big deal in her childhood household. However, to her parents’ dismay, she was also born an entrepreneur.
“I was born hungry like the wolf… From collecting cans, …making pies for neighbors. I always had a revenue opportunity, which meant it didn’t leave a lot of time for studying and school,” Tracy tells me.
She expresses how third grade was her best year in school when the class assignment was to create a business. She remembers creating a General store and absolutely crushing the project. Unfortunately, everything after that, scholastically, felt like immense weight, which resulted in her being sent to reform school by the age of 15.
“My parents were worried that I wouldn’t be successful, and enrolled me in a 2-year at a lockdown facility… CEDU. It was the same one Paris Hilton went to,” Tracy says.
The nightmare school entailed a six-day class schedule as well as manual labor, using skills like wiring electricity, cutting down trees, and pushing massive boulders uphill.
“It was hard labor,” she tells me.
She paints the daunting picture of this program that was once praised for its tough love. However, what twisted and abusive things that happened behind closed doors has eventually come to light, very publicly, I might add since many celebs are now advocating for facilities like this and many others to be shut down permanently.
Reports of torture and isolation are unfortunately common, although Tracy didn’t get into any precise details with me. However, Tracy explains that if kids acted up during her time there, they were sent on a 21-day, where kids would have to ‘rough it’ in the woods for 21 days without any provisions. And the conditions that these children were left in were tough for me to hear about. When I asked if she ever had to do a 21-day,
“No,” she says firmly and sighs with relief.
Unlike some of her fellow alumni, Tracy doesn’t sound resentful, but factual on the harsh realities of her education as she explains the borderline legal school tactics to make her and other children more focused and disciplined. Needless to say, she admits the greatest day, after leaving that school, was when she made the decision to make her own way in the world and took her first job as a waitress.
The words of joy for herself finally gaining freedom from this institution are practically identical to other’s recounts including celebs like Paris Hilton, who have gone on record to expose these heinous schools.
Freedom In Worldly Education
Tracy’s parents were highly concerned that she wouldn’t go to college after becoming a waitress, but Tracy tells me that she only took a year off from school to gain that full feeling of freedom. She needed time to heal and found that through work and travel before reluctantly focusing back on lackluster thoughts of education. However, when Tracy did return to the classroom at Columbia, she was awarded an interesting surprise.
“I really liked it! I was actually smart,” she says with a smile. “I got to be smart in college. I loved Business and Economics… I learned strategy and all the other things I liked!”
It gives us a sidebar to sarcastically joke about how many required lessons in education lack necessity and passion in the real world. Yet, as we delve deeper into the conversation, we circle back and agree that most successful entrepreneurs have stories where tough discipline and diverse skillset-learning contribute to overall drive and achievment.
“Yes. I’m blessed. My childhood was tough, …tough overall, but when things get hard today, I just look back and I know it couldn’t get harder than that,” she says, pointing to the metaphorical past. “Everything from here, I have control… there’s freedom in my choices, …And everything I’ve done from there was fun as hell!”
Within those continued education walls of Columbia (that was insisted upon her by her parents), Tracy found true independence. She took time to focus on herself while also focusing on her studies of interest. She learned about the things that moved her, as well as things that filled her soul with mindfulness and self-improvement. She listened to greats like Wayne Dyer and others, found her faith-filled spiritual side, and faced the realization that she was born to accomplish great things in this world.
And boy, has she, already!
Beauty and Brains
In college, she started her beauty venture, joining a partnership based completely on the novelty of scented nail polish. The nail polish became super popular, and all seemed to be going well until a major company wanted to buy the intellectual property and Tracy’s partner was the sole owner of that property. Her partner was paid millions of dollars, and Tracy was only left with cases of the scented stock stacked around her small place at the time.
“It was a huge learning lesson in the importance of intellectual property,” she shares.
But Tracy didn’t stay down for long. She joined up, helping other brands, and there she found she had an exceptional gift for getting brands money, hand over fist. And with that special skillset, her paychecks started to skyrocket. However, Tracy discovered there was a glass ceiling that was nearly impossible to break when it came to what she was doing at the time for other people’s brands. With all the real-life good and bad education, she had received up to this point, it became time to reevaluate.
And reevaluating is just what she did.
A New Plan Is Hatched
In 2009, Tracy co-founded the HATCHBEAUTY brand incubator, a venture that would soon become a cornerstone of her career. HATCHBEAUTY was conceived with the vision of transforming innovative ideas into successful consumer brands.
“It was about eliminating the middle man,” she says.
Under Tracy’s leadership, the incubator quickly gained a reputation for its ability to identify market trends and create products that resonate with consumers. Her strategic foresight and dedication to excellence have been key drivers in the incubator’s success, enabling the launch of several high-profile brands that have become household names.
One of the standout achievements was Tracy’s involvement in the creation and launch of Naturewell by Jewel. This brand epitomizes Tracy’s knack for recognizing market gaps and developing products that fulfill consumer needs. Naturewell, with its focus on wellness and natural ingredients, quickly gained a loyal following. Tracy’s deep understanding of consumer preferences and her commitment to delivering high-quality products were instrumental in the brand’s success, highlighting her ability to bring innovative ideas to fruition.
Another significant milestone was the development of Nuance by Salma Hayek. Partnering with the renowned actress, Tracy played a pivotal role in bringing this unique beauty line to life. Nuance by Salma Hayek distinguished itself through its use of natural ingredients and commitment to delivering effective, high-quality beauty solutions.
Tracy’s ability to forge these strong partnerships with celebrities while maintaining the brand’s integrity is a testament to her strategic acumen and industry expertise.
BLISS color is another notable brand that flourished under Tracy’s guidance. Known for its vibrant and high-quality color cosmetics, BLISS color quickly became a favorite among beauty enthusiasts. Tracy’s vision for the brand was to create a product line that not only offered exceptional quality but also promoted self-expression and creativity. Her ability to anticipate and respond to consumer trends has been a critical factor in the brand’s success, demonstrating her deep understanding of the beauty industry’s dynamics.
FOUND Active is a brand that underscores Tracy’s commitment to holistic wellness. This line of active lifestyle products was designed to support individuals in their pursuit of a healthy and active life. Tracy’s dedication to promoting wellness through innovative products has resonated with consumers who prioritize health and well-being. The success of FOUND Active highlights Tracy’s ability to create brands that align with contemporary consumer values and lifestyles.
And let us not forget, that Orlando Pita Haircare stands as another testament to Tracy’s talent for collaborating with industry experts to develop exceptional products. Working alongside renowned hairstylist Orlando Pita, Tracy helped create a line of hair care products that combine professional expertise with consumer-friendly formulations. The success of Orlando Pita Haircare is a reflection of Tracy’s skill in identifying and nurturing partnerships that result in outstanding products, further cementing her reputation as a leading figure in the beauty and wellness industry.
“There are a million good ideas every day,” Tracy says, “But it’s those that can execute and drive a revenue plan against it, …That’s the secret sauce, baby.”
Tracy sold HATCHBEAUTY in 2022.
In that same year, she started several other companies and focused more on her medical company, Goodwill Brands, which she started in 2020 which supplies many products to the medical industry. Under that, Be Serene is a brand that brings ethnically diverse and clean green products for hair care to hospitals for ethnic patients.
“I’m really proud that we do that,” she says.
She pulls out a kit to show me the products. From shampoo to a wet/dry brush to a sleeping bonnet, the kit has all that a person could need to feel more comfortable during a hospital stay.
“There was a picture on Instagram from a woman at St. Luke hospital, sitting in her hospital gown holding the kit and said, ‘I finally feel seen and heard…’. I was so blown away,” she says, gratefully.
Tracy loves to partner with diverse brands. One of her QVC brands is Love Who You Are with Kim Gravel.
“It’s such a blessing to touch women everywhere,” says Tracy. She continues by saying all of her companies have to be spiritually connected to the things that make her remember all that adversity that she went through as a teenager. “Women deserve to have a place where they can be safe, transparent, and vulnerable”.
We Are Not An Island
While Tracy’s professional accomplishments are beyond impressive, her understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs is what sets her apart. Recognizing the isolation and difficulties often experienced by those on the entrepreneurial path, Tracy was inspired to create the Potential to Powerhouse podcast and digital platform.
This initiative represents a multi-faceted brand concept designed to empower women in business and life. Through shared wisdom, enhanced community, mindset elevation, and giving back, Potential to Powerhouse aims to support and inspire women entrepreneurs. The Potential to Powerhouse podcast features in-depth interviews with successful women from a variety of industries, providing listeners with valuable insights and inspiration.
Tracy’s goal was to create a platform where women could learn from each other’s experiences, gain practical advice, and build a supportive community. By sharing stories of triumphs and challenges, Tracy hopes to demystify the entrepreneurial journey and encourage more women to pursue their dreams.
The podcast has quickly become a valuable resource for women seeking to navigate the complexities of business and life.
In addition to the podcast, the Potential to Powerhouse digital platform offers a range of resources and tools designed to help women entrepreneurs succeed. From online courses and workshops to networking events and mentorship opportunities, the platform provides comprehensive support for women at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Tracy’s vision for Potential to Powerhouse is to create a vibrant community where women can thrive both personally and professionally. The platform’s holistic approach to empowerment is a reflection of Tracy’s belief in the importance of community and continuous learning.
Entering The Inner Fifth
Tracy following her mission to give women a safe and vulnerable space led to the creation of Inner Fifth. It’s a heart-led community that is dedicated to providing expert guidance, a science-backed approach, and a supportive community to help women of a certain work and financial criteria cultivate a more winning growth mindset. Their mission is to facilitate meaningful connections and drive fundamental transformations in key areas of life: health, wealth, relationships, and purpose.
“We aren’t utilizing our ‘Who’ network. We are always ‘How’ing it,” she says. “How do we pick up the kids? How do we get dinner ready? How do we make this? How do we do that…? How, how, how?”
At Inner Fifth, individuals find the support they need to break free from feelings of being stuck. The community is designed to help members discover their passions and thrive alongside like-minded individuals who are equally dedicated to their success. The emphasis on a collaborative and supportive environment sets Inner Fifth apart as a place where personal and professional growth is nurtured and celebrated.
“Women are constantly saying that the membership paid for itself within the first two months,” she tells me, “It’s really been cool to be part of watching this network of women grow into who they are.”
I personally had the pleasure of sitting in on a meeting of the minds’ community. Tracy announced Pocket Sun, the founder of SolGal Ventures was going to speak to the group that day on the importance of women investors. It was an incredible education within 60 minutes, showcasing the unbalanced world of investing in women-owned companies and how we can make a change by making our investments in each other.
And that is just a sneak peek into what this community offers. Recognizing the practical challenges faced by female entrepreneurs, Inner Fifth focuses on three critical areas: people, money, and time. They understand that every entrepreneur encounters obstacles in these domains and offer targeted solutions to address them effectively. Through their “Way to the Solution” sessions, Inner Fifth provides actionable strategies drawn from the tried-and-true results of building multiple successful businesses.
These sessions are designed to deliver quick and meaningful outcomes, bypassing the traditional slow and difficult learning curve. By leveraging proven tactics, Inner Fifth helps members achieve their goals more efficiently and effectively. This practical approach ensures that entrepreneurs can overcome challenges without the usual hardships, making the journey to success smoother and more accessible.
The core philosophy of Inner Fifth revolves around empowerment and transformation. By fostering a growth mindset and providing the tools and support needed for success, Inner Fifth enables individuals to make significant progress in all areas of their lives. The community aspect is integral, as it offers a network of like-minded individuals who share similar goals and challenges. This sense of belonging and mutual support is crucial for sustained growth and success.
But is it scientifically structured? The answer is YES.
Inner Fifth’s commitment to a science-backed approach ensures that their methods are both effective and reliable. By integrating the latest research and best practices into their programs, they offer a robust framework for personal and professional development. This evidence-based methodology enhances the credibility and effectiveness of their offerings, providing members with confidence in the strategies they adopt.
Moreover, Inner Fifth places a strong emphasis on practical solutions that are immediately applicable. They understand that female entrepreneurs need actionable insights and strategies that can be implemented without delay. By focusing on real-world applications and results, Inner Fifth helps members navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship with greater ease and success.
It’s Not Just A Woman’s World
Tracy knows that it’s not about division, but about growth to make a positive impact in the world.
“I know I have talent around me, and I am going to bring in my male allies… I don’t want women to ever think that it’s an ‘Us’ against ‘Them’ thing, so I bring in male allies to support our community and all that we do,” she says.
The warmth of her mission glows from her soul as she tells me about the beautiful balance of men and women who are making a difference in industries and the world.
Tracy’s contributions to the beauty and wellness industry have not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of her achievements. In 2019, she was honored with the Fashion and Beauty Award for Beauty Service Provider of the Year, a testament to her impact on the industry. This accolade underscores her ability to deliver exceptional beauty solutions and her influence on the beauty service sector. In 2017, she was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year, an accolade that highlights her entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach to business. This prestigious award recognizes Tracy’s ability to drive growth and create value through her ventures.
Moreover, Tracy has been elected to The Committee of 200, an organization comprising the world’s most successful women business leaders. This prestigious recognition reflects her influence and leadership within the global business community. Being part of this elite group underscores Tracy’s status as a trailblazer and a role model for aspiring women entrepreneurs. Her inclusion in The Committee of 200 is a testament to her significant contributions to the business world and her commitment to empowering women leaders.
Boundless Beauty
Tracy Holland’s journey is a remarkable story of resilience, innovation, leadership, and empowerment. Through her work in the beauty and wellness space, she has not only created successful brands but also inspired and supported countless women entrepreneurs all while applauding her male allies and giving credit where credit is due. Tracy’s legacy is one of passion, spirituality, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, making her a true trailblazer in the industry. Her ability to navigate the complexities of the beauty market, coupled with her commitment to community and inspiration, has set her apart as a visionary leader.
As Tracy continues to drive innovation and empower women, her impact on the beauty and wellness industry will undoubtedly be felt for generations to come. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and a testament to the power of vision, dedication, and unity. Tracy Holland’s contributions to the industry and her unwavering commitment to empowering others make her a beacon of inspiration and a catalyst for positive change in the world of beauty and wellness.
