Jo Horgan has profoundly transformed the Australian beauty landscape, pioneering retail innovation and crafting unparalleled experiences for customers. As the founder of Mecca Brands, Horgan established the first Mecca Cosmetica store in 1997 in Melbourne, setting the stage for what would become a beauty empire. Her entrepreneurial journey earned her the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018 Australia Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the industry.

The Rise of Mecca Brands
Founded at the age of 29, Jo Horgan utilized the proceeds from selling her home to launch Mecca in South Yarra. The store debuted with seven exclusive brands that were previously unavailable in Australia, including NARS, Stila, and Vincent Longo. Despite initial financial struggles in the first four years, Horgan’s vision and determination propelled Mecca to success.

Today, Mecca Brands operates over 98 stores across Australia and New Zealand, featuring four distinct retail concepts: Mecca Cosmetica, Mecca Maxima, MECCA, and mecca.com.au. The company is privately owned and has consistently ranked among the BRW Best Places to Work Top 5 for the past four years, a testament to Horgan’s leadership and commitment to her team.

Leadership and Community Engagement
Beyond her business accomplishments, Horgan is actively involved in various philanthropic initiatives. She serves on the board of the National Gallery of Victoria Foundation and the Edward Wilson Trust, and is a member of Chief Executive Women. As a governor of the St. George Foundation, she supports charities focused on women and children, and is a proud advocate for The Hunger Project, which empowers communities to combat poverty.

Innovations and Challenges
Mecca launched its online store in 2001, significantly expanding its reach. In 2017, the company introduced the Mecca Max brand and organized its first Meccaland, a three-day beauty festival that became a staple in the beauty community. Although faced with allegations of workplace discrimination and bullying in late 2019, Horgan committed to significant changes within the company, including the establishment of a complaints hotline.

In 2020, Mecca began selling through Tmall Global in China, and in 2021, it launched a podcast called Mecca Talks. The company continues to evolve, reintroducing its Kit brand as a gender-neutral, plant-based skincare range in 2022, and expanding to the UK market in 2023.

Empowering the Workforce
Jo Horgan’s leadership style is characterized by empathy and a focus on her team’s growth. Mecca employs over 4,000 staff members, providing extensive training—200 hours in the first year alone—through its beauty education portal, Meccaversity. This commitment to employee development, along with initiatives like the Beauty Loop loyalty program, which boasts over 4.3 million members, underscores her dedication to creating a positive workplace culture.

Lessons from Jo Horgan

Horgan’s journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring leaders:

• Engage a Mentor: Drawing inspiration from her entrepreneurial parents and enlisting the guidance of mentors like Country Road founder Stephen Bennett has shaped her path.
• Understand Your Business: With a background at L’Oréal, Horgan recognized market gaps and leveraged her knowledge to fuel Mecca’s growth.
• Establish a Routine: A consistent routine, including meditation and yoga, has helped Horgan maintain focus and productivity.
• Seek Possibilities: Horgan encourages leaders to look beyond their current roles, envisioning future opportunities and innovations.
• Practice Empathy: Her commitment to nurturing her team has solidified Mecca’s reputation as a top workplace, demonstrating that empathy can drive business success.

Commitment to Social Change
At the heart of Mecca’s mission is a dedication to empowering women. Horgan’s M-Power program aims to help 10,000 girls complete secondary education by 2025, fostering a future where women have equal opportunities to realize their potential. Collaborating with Australians Investing In Women, Mecca seeks to create meaningful change in the community.

In summary, Jo Horgan stands as a transformative figure in the beauty industry, not only for her business acumen but also for her unwavering commitment to empowering women and fostering a positive workplace culture. With a vision for the future and a track record of success, she continues to redefine beauty retail in Australia and beyond.