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Purpose and benefits

Much of the US cosmetic queen Estée Lauder’s (1908–) early life is shrouded in mystery. What is known is that she started in the cosmetics business selling her uncle’s Six-in-One cold cream in 1924. Lauder formally incorporated Estée Lauder Inc. in 1947. Resisting calls to go public, she kept her company in family hands and used her formidable sales and marketing talents to drive the business forward. In 1968 revenues were an estimated $40 million with profits of $4 million.