TORONTO, March 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evio Beauty Group Ltd.’s conscious lifestyle portfolio is thrilled to announce its green cosmetics line, Evelyn Iona’s inclusion in Sephora’s 2018 Accelerate program, making it the only Canadian beauty company in Sephora’s 2018 cohort.
This milestone moment is a testament to how far Evio Beauty Group and its inaugural line of beauty products - Evelyn Iona - have come. The news follows the announcement of Evio Beauty Group entering into a commercial partnership with BreakWater Venture Capital in January 2018. In addition, Evelyn Iona celebrated the consumer success of its Green Tea Primer that pre-sold over 150,000 units in Q4 2017 followed by its formal partnership and investment from a global manufacturing partner.
Sephora is a leader in global prestige retail, teaching and inspiring clients to play in a world of beauty. Sephora choosing Evelyn Iona, and its founder Brandi Leifso, as part of its female founders community, combines the vision and passion of Evelyn Iona with the exciting future of the beauty industry.
Sephora Accelerate is dedicated to building a community of innovative female founders in beauty. This year’s cohort was selected from hundreds of female founders across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, France, Switzerland and China. This year, the retailer selected 13 new Sephora Accelerate Cohort members working across three categories: Merchandising, Technology and Sustainability. The program equips female-founded companies with the necessary skills to create a successful business while learning from beauty mentors and seasoned entrepreneurs. Evelyn Iona is proud to be part of a community of thriving female entrepreneurs. The program includes an intensive Bootcamp Week and elite mentorship program in San Francisco, California, that will elevate and enhance the Evelyn Iona brand with relationship building at the heart of it all.
“Even in the beauty industry, where most customers are women, female founders are still underrepresented,” said Corrie Conrad, head of social impact at Sephora. “We’re thrilled to welcome these 13 diverse and inspirational female beauty business CEOs and founders into the 2018 Cohort. Each one of these women represent immense talent, intelligence and innovative thinking within their respective fields, and what better way to celebrate their induction into the Accelerate program than an introduction on International Women’s Day,” said Conrad.
“I’m extremely excited to join an ecosystem of support, and connect with other female founders, entrepreneurs, and mentors,” says Brandi Leifso, founder of Evelyn Iona. ”Sephora is a leader in offering female founders support, insight, and access to take our business to the next level and help design the future of beauty.”
Leifso will have the added benefit of being mentored by beauty industry leaders like Pamela Baxter, former CEO and President of Christian Dior Couture (LVMH Group).
Leifso started Evelyn Iona when she was living in a women’s shelter after an adverse relationship led her to seek help. Leifso’s determination while living in the shelter led to the creation of a brand that stood for something, with a standard to support women. “It’s an incredible feeling to have this opportunity. One that I would never have dreamed of when starting Evelyn Iona Cosmetics from humble roots,” said Leifso.
Evelyn Iona's mission is to create a standard of living that promotes kindness without compromising quality. $1 from every Evelyn Iona product sold goes to women’s organizations.
Evelyn Iona is beauty on your own terms with a conscious heart behind it. The Sephora Accelerate program will strengthen why Evio does what it does.
ABOUT EVIO BEAUTY GROUP LTD.
Evio Beauty Group Ltd. is a portfolio of conscious lifestyle brands. Evio was created with a mission of building community through products that women use every single day. Amongst the growing Evio Portfolio of conscious brands is Evelyn Iona Cosmetics, a line of green products that fill the gap of hard-to-find colour cosmetics that are good for your skin, planet and your community. Additionally, Evio Community an online platform of curated content engages conversation on beauty, cannabis, fashion, feminism, wellness & entrepreneurship. Launching in the Fall of 2018: Cannabis-infused skincare with a focus on education and squishing stigmas.
For more information please contact:
Lori Harito
lori@Evio.ca
www.evelyniona.com