Topic: Business Strategy

We deep dive into the 115-year history of L'Oréal, tracing its journey from a humble kitchen laboratory in Paris to a dominant global commercial vessel. We analyze how founder Eugène Schueller, the self-proclaimed "6000-hour man," combined scientific rigor with revolutionary marketing to launch the world's first safe synthetic hair dye. Our examination covers critical strategic pivots, including the non-family succession under the Dalle era and the landmark acquisition of Maybelline that solidified its global footprint. We pay special attention to L'Oréal's re-entry into the Chinese market since 1997, where it transitioned from selling lipsticks to establishing localized R&D centers that now feedback innovation to the global group. Ultimately, we conclude that the empire's success rests on its enduring tripod of research and development, cutting-edge technology, and a deep understanding of aesthetics across six generations of CEOs.

We examine the complex challenge of co-founder equity disputes, specifically when a partner threatens to resign unless granted a larger stake in the company. In the high-stakes SaaS environment, equity splits that appear equitable on "Day 0" often feel imbalanced by "Day 720" as individual contributions and company needs evolve over time. We believe this crisis represents a final, critical opportunity to recalibrate the partnership or prepare for a clean break before the tension poisons the organization's long-term health. Our analysis suggests that if a founder has reached the point of issuing threats, the underlying trust has likely eroded, making a structured and honest renegotiation necessary. By addressing these tensions head-on, founders can either solidify a renewed commitment or reach a fair exit agreement that protects the startup’s future and prevents a messy collapse.