The founder of the iconic lifestyle brand reveals how a challenging childhood shaped her entrepreneurial spirit, her journey overcoming cancer and anxiety, and why she’s still brimming with new business ideas.
Ms. Jo Malone CBE is one of Britain’s most celebrated entrepreneurs, but her path to success was anything but easy.
Raised on a council estate outside London, Malone faced a turbulent home life and took on the responsibility of managing her family’s finances from a young age.
“I can remember one day being in my bedroom and we didn’t have any central heating. It was really cold and there was ice on the window. I remember scraping the ice with my finger, looking out and thinking, ‘I’ve got to change my destiny,” she recalled.
In a candid conversation with CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick on the “Executive Decisions” podcast, Malone shared how her early struggles shaped the entrepreneurial drive and resilience that would define her career.
Her life changed dramatically after selling her first business to Estée Lauder in her 30s.
“I was then a very wealthy lady. I would never have to worry, and I could retire. Retirement was not—and will never be—on my agenda,” she said.
Despite her success, Malone faced further challenges, including a life-threatening battle with an aggressive form of cancer and the need to reinvent herself under a strict non-compete clause. Through it all, her creativity and determination never faltered.
Today, with ventures like “Jo Loves” and “Jo Vodka,” Malone remains focused on the future—and convinced that her best chapters are still to come.
Watch or listen to Ms. Jo Malone CBE’s interview with Steve Sedgwick in the video above, and subscribe to Executive Decisions wherever you get your podcasts.