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Today, Vicky Tsai shares her incredible story of building a career that aligns with her passion. The founder and former CEO of Tatcha sits down with Sali as they discuss how she built successful careers in finance and marketing before quitting both to seek a more fulfilling path.

In 2009, she launched Tatcha, an esteemed beauty company inspired by centuries-old traditions passed down from geishas in Japan. It began with a singular product—the Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers—and grew into a brand beloved by makeup artists, actors, and consumers everywhere.

Of course, there were many bumps and sacrifices along the way, and Vicky candidly shares them all today, including:

• spending years struggling to find products that soothed her eczema.
• traveling to Japan to learn about traditional geisha beauty rituals.
• facing extreme financial hardship while bringing a new company to life.
• selling her own engagement ring to pay for Tatcha’s very first product on the market.
• having her company acquired...and then getting pushed out.
• and how she made her return to Tatcha and is marking the current chapter of her business.

On Sali: Argent Boyfriend Blazer,  Maybelle Pocket Tee, and Argent X Citizens of Humanity Alya Baggy

On Vicky: Argent X Citizens of Humanity Waistcoat

Work Friends Credits

Hosted by Sali Christeson @salichristeson

Produced by Gina Marinelli @ginaalilbit

Edited by Ryan Woldoff

Theme Song by Karina DePiano @sheplaysdepiano & Melanie Nyema @melanienyema

Recorded at Podhead Studios @podheadstudios

Work Friends is produced by ARGENT (www.argentwork.com), a women’s clothing label on a mission to redefine workwear and drive forward women’s progress.  

For more, follow ARGENT on Instagram, @ARGENT, and subscribe to the ARGENT YouTube channel, @ARGENTWork, for clips and bonus content.

To be featured on a future episode, email your work questions and dilemmas to WorkFriends@ARGENTWork.com for a chance to have one of our amazing guests weigh in with advice.