Australia’s biggest beauty mogul, Shelley  Sullivan, has built three powerhouse businesses from the ground up. At just 21, she launched a boutique modelling agency. While working with models, Shelley spotted beauty fails like DIY lash-curling burns and patchy self‑tans – which led to her first beauty innovation: a heated lash curler, then “tan‑in‑a‑can”, and the birth of her first brand, ModelCo.

In 2016, Shelley targeted another gap: luxe-looking beauty at mass-market prices. MCoBeauty launched with 12 products, scaled to hundreds, and earlier this year was sold in a deal valuing the company at  $1 billion.

In this episode of Something To Talk About, Shelley opens up about building – and exiting – a billion-dollar beauty empire, trusting her instincts amid doubt, and life after the headlines.

Watch the full episode with Shelley here. 

Follow Shelley on Instagram here.

Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand

Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellarmag or stellarmag.com.au