Recently, Hailey Bieber made headlines when she accepted the Beauty Innovator Award at the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Innovator Awards. In her acceptance speech, she expressed heartfelt appreciation for fellow entrepreneurs, saying, “I celebrate every and each founder who is on the journey alongside me … I look forward to continuing to show the world that there is no limit to our impact, influence and innovation.”

Her statement struck a powerful chord, not only because it came from one of the most successful celebrity founders in beauty today, but also because it carried a message of inclusivity and collaboration. By celebrating “every founder,” Bieber positioned herself not merely as a competitor in the crowded beauty space but as a peer among innovators, united by shared challenges and creative ambition.

The timing of her comments added further depth. Bieber’s skincare brand, Rhode, launched in 2022 and has already achieved remarkable milestones, including a billion-dollar acquisition by e.l.f. Beauty. Her success story exemplifies the new wave of celebrity entrepreneurs who move beyond endorsements and build authentic businesses from the ground up. By choosing to emphasize solidarity and respect in her speech, she underscored that success in beauty does not have to come at the expense of community.

Her message also arrived amid renewed public attention to comparisons between Rhode and other celebrity brands—most notably Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty. Media speculation has often tried to frame the two founders as rivals. Gomez herself recently urged fans to “leave the girl alone,” emphasizing kindness over competition, a sentiment that Bieber echoed in her own words.

From Model to Mogul: Hailey Bieber’s Rhode Journey

To fully appreciate the impact of Bieber’s message, it’s worth reflecting on how far she has come in just a few years. Before Rhode, Hailey Bieber was known globally as a model, social-media personality and member of a high-profile Hollywood circle. Yet she made a deliberate decision to build something of her own. In June 2022, she launched Rhode—a minimalist skincare line named after her middle name—focusing on simple, efficacious essentials rather than a sprawling catalog.

Rhode quickly became one of the most talked-about new brands in beauty. Its aesthetic—a muted color palette, accessible pricing, and sleek packaging—captured the clean, modern sensibility of a younger generation. Bieber’s vision was clear: create a brand that represents authenticity and self-care without excess. Within months, Rhode products went viral on social media, and customer demand regularly outpaced supply.

By 2025, Rhode was not just a viral phenomenon but a commercial powerhouse. The brand’s net sales reportedly surpassed $200 million, and the acquisition by e.l.f. Beauty solidified Bieber’s status as one of the most successful celebrity founders in the beauty sector.

Bieber’s trajectory challenges old assumptions about celebrity brands being fleeting or superficial. She invested personally in the company, maintaining majority ownership and creative control. Her goal, as she told industry outlets, was to build something enduring—something that could stand independently of her fame. That commitment, paired with an understanding of digital marketing and community-building, propelled Rhode into a new league.

Her remarks at the WSJ event, therefore, carry a deeper meaning. They’re not simply an acceptance-speech platitude; they’re a reflection of lived experience. Bieber has navigated product development, supply-chain hurdles, brand identity challenges and the scrutiny that comes with being both a public figure and a business leader. When she says that being a founder takes “an immense amount of guts,” she speaks from firsthand knowledge.

This shift—from being a face of campaigns to the architect of a business—has transformed Bieber’s identity. She is not only a model and influencer but a legitimate entrepreneur with a billion-dollar exit. Her message of celebrating every founder becomes even more compelling when seen through that lens: she has climbed to the top of the industry and is now choosing to extend her hand downward, inviting others to rise alongside her.

Rethinking Beauty Rivalries: A New Era of Collaboration

Hailey Bieber’s speech at the WSJ Innovator Awards also reflects a broader cultural shift within the beauty industry. For decades, beauty marketing has thrived on competition—brand versus brand, founder versus founder, trend versus trend. But today’s consumer, particularly the Gen Z audience that powers much of the market, is driven by transparency, authenticity and social consciousness. Bieber’s emphasis on unity resonates with that evolving ethos.

The celebrity-founder model has become increasingly sophisticated. In the early 2000s, a celebrity brand was often a licensing deal—a name slapped onto a product developed by another company. Today, figures like Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez are hands-on founders with direct involvement in formulation, branding and marketing. They represent a new generation of entrepreneurs who merge creativity with commerce.

Bieber’s words—“there is no limit to our impact, influence and innovation”—can also be interpreted as a statement about female entrepreneurship in particular. The beauty industry has long been one of the few spaces where women could build empires on their own terms. By acknowledging “each founder,” Bieber validated the collective effort of women and men who are redefining what modern beauty means. Her message of inclusivity not only lifts peers but also strengthens her own brand’s reputation as ethical, kind and forward-thinking.

It’s also worth noting that such statements can serve as smart public relations. After years of online scrutiny and fan-generated drama, Bieber’s renewed focus on collaboration helps shift her image toward professionalism and empathy. In the current media landscape, authenticity sells—but so does humility. By applauding others, she disarms critics and builds goodwill among both industry peers and consumers.

Her approach could inspire a ripple effect. When high-profile figures in beauty and fashion choose collaboration over competition, it sets a tone that smaller brands can follow. It reminds founders that success is not a zero-sum game and that shared visibility can benefit everyone.

Bieber’s speech arrives at a pivotal moment for the beauty industry. The market is saturated, yet creativity continues to flourish. Digital communities, inclusive representation and values-driven branding are now as important as product quality. In that environment, leaders who champion unity and mutual support stand out. Hailey Bieber’s remarks suggest that she understands this shift intimately and intends to lead through positivity rather than rivalry.

The Bigger Picture: What Hailey Bieber’s Words Mean for the Industry

Hailey Bieber’s decision to celebrate every founder goes beyond politeness—it signals maturity, empathy and vision. Her remarks reflect an understanding that innovation thrives in communities, not silos. The beauty world is increasingly interconnected: independent founders inspire celebrity entrepreneurs, who in turn bring mainstream attention to indie practices like sustainability, clean ingredients and transparency.

When Bieber speaks about limitless influence and innovation, she is acknowledging that beauty brands today are cultural forces as much as commercial ones. They shape ideals, conversations and even mental-health narratives. By framing herself as part of a larger network of creators, Bieber positions Rhode as a brand rooted in empathy and inclusiveness rather than ego.

Of course, skepticism remains. Some critics argue that celebrity-backed brands dominate headlines and shelf space, making it harder for smaller founders to break through. Bieber’s message doesn’t erase those realities, but it does humanize the dialogue. Her acknowledgment of the “guts” it takes to start a business, regardless of scale, bridges the gap between celebrity entrepreneurs and independent ones.

Her journey also highlights the evolution of celebrity business models. Where past ventures relied heavily on name recognition, modern celebrity founders must demonstrate credibility and commitment. Consumers expect transparency, authenticity and consistent brand values. Bieber’s success with Rhode—and the sincerity of her speech—suggests she grasps that perfectly.

Looking forward, the beauty industry could benefit from this ethos of mutual respect. As more founders embrace shared learning and visibility, innovation may accelerate. Collaborations between celebrity and indie brands could become more common, blurring traditional hierarchies. And for consumers, this means a more diverse range of voices shaping what beauty looks like.

Ultimately, Hailey Bieber’s words remind us that entrepreneurship, at its core, is about courage. Starting something from scratch—whether it’s a multimillion-dollar brand or a small skincare line—is an act of belief. Her decision to honor that courage in others reflects both gratitude and grace.

Final Reflections

Hailey Bieber’s speech at the WSJ Innovator Awards was brief but powerful, encapsulating the essence of her brand and her growth as a person. In choosing to spotlight the collective spirit of entrepreneurship rather than her own achievements, she demonstrated that leadership in beauty today is as much about collaboration as innovation.

Her message arrives at a moment when the beauty industry—and social culture at large—needs more empathy. The online noise surrounding celebrity comparisons often distracts from the hard work behind every brand. Bieber’s acknowledgment of “every founder” redirects the focus where it belongs: on creativity, resilience and shared ambition.

Hailey Bieber is no longer just a model turned entrepreneur; she is a voice advocating for kindness in commerce. Her journey from launching Rhode to securing a billion-dollar acquisition shows that success and humility can coexist. For fellow founders, her message is both validation and encouragement: there is room for everyone to shine.

As she continues to expand Rhode under e.l.f. Beauty’s umbrella, one thing is clear—Bieber’s legacy may ultimately be defined not only by the products she creates but by the tone she sets for the industry. In a marketplace that often thrives on rivalry, her call for unity feels both refreshing and necessary. And perhaps that is her greatest innovation yet.