They share their backgrounds, tracing Ho’s pivot from retail to investment banking and Rhyu’s shift from CPG brand management to launching Hero in 2017 with Mighty Patch. They detail the sale process, including the banker "bake-off," navigating 2021–2022 macro headwinds, and overcoming buyer skepticism over single-SKU concentration, fad risks, and hydrocolloid IP. Highlighting Hero’s acquisition by Church & Dwight, they examine how strategic platforms scale global distribution into 50+ countries, while touching on hypergrowth supply chain management, post-exit transitions, creator marketing, and Rhyu’s new venture, Vize Skin.
A Conversation with Ju Rhyu ’08 and Vennette Ho ’05 on Beauty M&A and Entrepreneurship
In this Columbia Business School conversation, Ju Rhyu '08, co-founder of Hero Cosmetics, and Vennette Ho '05, Managing Director at Raymond James, reflect on their careers, the acquisition of Hero Cosmetics, and beauty M&A dynamics.