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Kecia Steelman

President, Chief Executive Officer & Director, Ulta Beauty

Search every verified Kecia Steelman interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Kecia Steelman, CEO of Ulta Beauty, discussed the company's international expansion and its decision to end its partnership with Target. Steelman stated that Ulta Beauty made an acquisition in the UK, expanded through a partnership in Mexico, and has a licensed partnership in the Middle East, describing a pivot from being only in the US to taking the brand more globally. She said the Target partnership, which will end in August, "played its way out" and that both companies would be better off pursuing independent strategic plans. Steelman also noted that Ulta Beauty has 46.7 million loyalty members, accounting for 95% of sales. In interviews, Steelman reflected on her personal background, including being a single mother living in government housing and earning $8 an hour at Target before becoming CEO. She described the company as "recession resistant" rather than recession proof, stating that people will still want to take care of themselves. Steelman cautioned against over-layering skincare products and emphasized the importance of being a good partner to brands, saying that growing a brand too quickly could "essentially bankrupt" it. She also encouraged employees with what she called the "it factor" to keep pushing for their best selves.

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