Chleo Blog 40 Years Katharine Image

Chleo is delighted to be celebrating 40 years in business!

This year, Chleo proudly celebrates 40 years as a trusted leader in the beauty industry. With our deep-rooted dedication and passion for our craft, we are committed to enhancing every client’s beauty journey with our carefully curated products and expert support. Our approach allows businesses to confidently offer their customers only the finest products available.

Below, we’ll discuss the strong history behind the Chleo name and the wonderful journey that has led us to where we are today.

Born from a Passion for Beauty

Chleo’s story is one of passion and dedication, deeply rooted in the vision of our founder, Katharine Hurley. Katharine’s unwavering commitment to excellence has shaped Chleo into more than just a beauty and skincare supplier; it’s a brand driven by a genuine love for the craft.

Katharine was known for her entrepreneurial spirit, having run a successful secretarial business before launching Chleo in 1984. Chleo started as a beauty therapy clinic within Katharine’s family home, where she offered various beauty classes with a strong focus on epilation.  

Katharine noticed a gap in the Irish marketplace when it came to quality beauty and skincare products. After discovering Perron Rigot waxes during her visits to Paris, Katherine made it her mission to bring this fantastic brand to the wider public. Her first order for the business was for 72 pots of wax, and from these humble beginnings, Chleo continued to grow—adding the Sothys, DMK and ARTDECO brands to their collection over the years.

We truly believe in each and every product we offer, reflecting Katharine’s commitment to providing only the very best to our clients. Chleo’s relentless pursuit of quality ensures that each item in our portfolio meets the highest standards, embodying the trust and confidence we’ve built over 40 years.

A New Generation

Nicola, Katharine’s eldest daughter, brought fresh perspectives to the business when she joined Chleo in 1998 after spending time living and working in London in marketing and design. Following Katharine’s retirement in 2014, Nicola took the reins alongside her brother Richard, who joined the business with years of banking and financial experience. In 2016, Chleo settled into their very own 4,000 sq.ft premises in Ballymount, made up of a 2,000 sq.ft warehouse, a state of the art training facility, a showroom and offices.

Nicola and Richard grew up immersed in the beauty industry, surrounded by their mother’s passion and dedication to her work. From a young age, they absorbed invaluable lessons, watching their mother navigate the complexities of the business with grace and expertise. They learned from Katharine not just the technical aspects of the business but also the importance of building strong, trust-based relationships with clients and suppliers. This deep-rooted familiarity with the industry, coupled with their own professional experiences, make Nicola and Richard uniquely qualified to carry forward their mother’s legacy.

Under their leadership, Chleo continues to thrive while maintaining the strong family ethos that has been the cornerstone of the business for over 40 years.

A Focus on the Future

As Nicola and Richard lead Chleo into the future, the company is poised for an exciting era of growth and innovation. From cutting-edge skincare solutions to trendsetting makeup collections, Chleo is constantly evolving to meet the needs of beauty enthusiasts. Chleo is dedicated to staying at the forefront of beauty trends and advancements and Nicola and Richard’s vision for the future includes bringing in the best global brands and ensuring a diverse and comprehensive product lineup.

Earlier this month, we launched our new website, designed to offer our clients and potential clients the best possible experience. This new website provides an intuitive journey, ensuring that accessing our collection of beauty and skincare products is as smooth and enjoyable as ever. With user-friendly navigation, detailed product descriptions, extensive brand information and enhanced search functionality, finding what you’re looking for has never been easier. The website also features expert advice, stockists information, customer reviews, and exclusive offers to help our clients make the most informed decisions.

As part of our 40 year anniversary, Chleo Enterprises has rebranded to Chleo to signify an exciting new chapter for the business. Our new logo reflects our forward-looking approach with its contemporary aesthetic and streamlined design.

The future holds boundless possibilities, and under Nicola and Richard’s passionate leadership, Chleo is set to achieve new heights, continuing its legacy of excellence while embracing the exciting opportunities ahead.

At Chleo, we don’t just sell beauty products; we curate a collection of superior, transformative solutions that we wholeheartedly believe in, aiming to enrich every customer’s beauty journey with authenticity and expertise. We’d like to thank you for joining us on our journey over the past four decades, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds. Here’s to many, many more years of doing what we love!

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