Operating Partner

Nicole Fourgoux

[email protected]

Over my 24 years in the Beauty Industry – building  and running brands - I have developed a deep respect for entrepreneurs and operators. I’ve had the privilege to work very closely with amazing founders and to walk in the shoes of business leaders, who helped me appreciate what it takes to build a successful beauty brand. 

I joined Stride in 2021 to help founders and executive teams build the next generation of great beauty and personal care brands. As an operating partner, I help our brand partners realize their vision. I am a sounding board and advisor, sharing my relationships, experiences and industry knowledge.

Prior to joining Stride, I worked for L’Oreal and had an incredibly diverse combination of experiences. Most recently, I ran IT Cosmetics, a founder-led, “insurgent” color brand. Prior to that I was SVP in the Business Development & Acquisitions group, which led L’Oreal’s sourcing, diligence, and integration efforts across all Luxe brands. I previously led L’Oreal’s Multi-Cultural Beauty group, including the acquisition and integration of Carol’s Daughter, a founder-led haircare brand. Leading several founder-led brands through successful assimilation was an incredibly fulfilling experience.

Earlier in my career, I focused on marketing, sales and product development. I worked at more established brands, such as L’Oréal Paris, Maybelline, Garnier, and at fast-growing brands such as Vichy and La Roche Posay. I had the opportunity to work across distribution channels and product categories – hair, color & skincare – both in the US and in Europe. Each brand had its unique story and learnings that help me support rapidly growing, young brands.

I grew up in Germany and received an MBA from the Heinrich-Heine-University in Dusseldorf. After 7 years in France, I moved to the United States 15 years ago. Today, I live outside of New York City with my husband and my three sons.

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