When Vicky Schulz graduated from Bellevue Beauty College in 1988 in Brisbane, in her wildest dreams she never imagined that by the age of 42 she would be the co-founder and face of a leading Australian natural cosmetics brand.
After gaining her Diploma in 1988 and working as a beauty therapist for seventeen years, Vicky wanted more. Frustrated with the lack of authentic natural, affordable products available in the market and inspired by her late father who was a successful self-made businessman, Vicky seized the opportunity to meet a glaring need in the market place.
Along with a team of like-minded beauty therapists and business managers who shared the common dream of creating their own natural line, Vicky co-founded Yuva (www.yuva.com.au). Over a period of two years the team worked tirelessly alongside an expert chemist to produce the first fifteen Yuva products that hit the market in 2005 and they never looked back.
After four years on the market Yuva has expanded to include skincare, body care and make-up and has emerged as a market leader in Australian made, salon-quality, natural beauty products. Using 100% pure essential oils, with no artificial colours, fragrances, mineral oils or petroleum, Yuva has developed a strong following amongst therapists in Australia’s leading salons and spas and has a loyal clientele of savvy consumers.
Vicky attributes the brand’s success to the fact that consumers appreciate and trust the naturally derived ingredients. Yuva products also contain no animal products or by-products as part of the brand’s stance against cruelty. An issue that Vicky is passionate about, she has used the business as a platform to spread awareness of the brutality associated with animal testing in the beauty industry and Yuva is certified by the “Choose Cruelty Free” organisation.
As the success of Yuva continues to skyrocket and Vicky continues to be inspired by watching her dreams come to fruition, her goal is to continue to spread awareness about the importance of ‘going natural’. The next few years are about a “nature-meets-cosmeceutical” extension to the range and expanding the foundation line, including blushes, bronzers and furthering awareness of Yuva in Australia.
In her spare time, Vicky enjoys supporting various animal advocacy charities such as the RSPCA and Best Friends Rescue. Vicky also likes to spend time with friends, paint and and escape for the weekend with her fiancé Adam whenever she can.
