Susie Ma - Founder of Tropic Skincare and The Apprentice Star | Humans of Business Ep7

“Life is so short, spend all your time working hard but also laughing and enjoying life.”

Susie Ma, named EY award's Rising Star in 2018, she is the founder of natural skincare company Tropic, a brand she started at just 15. Susie became stagnant in her job as an investment banker not long after graduating, she was striving for something more which lead her to apply for “The Apprentice”. She described the challenge of the show as “probably one the best things I’ve ever done in my life”. Finishing in 2nd place Susie’s success also saw her gain investment from Lord Sugar himself.

Susie’s love for life, new opportunities and business radiate out in this chat on the Humans of Business sofa, and Charlotte uncovers what makes her human.

Humans of Business goes beyond a typical business video series, focusing not on the what, but the who. Through personal and purposeful conversations, Charlotte gets to know the humans behind some of the world’s most successful businesses.

Charlotte leaves the practical business processes and financial successes at the door, and instead, shines a light on the emotional and personal side of these incredible entrepreneurs. They may seem to possess superhero-like drive, determination and power, but behind these perceptions is there a courageous human in pursuit of meaning and purpose? Do they actually want to make an impact on the world?

In this episode Susie talks about her family strong history in business, from street vendors to tie salesman, she explains how she grew up constantly being inspired by people around her working hard to achieve their dreams, and how moving from Shanghai to Australia then to the UK gave Susie very varied childhood. Susie started her skincare brand at age 15 selling at a local market, influenced by her grandmother who showed her the benefits of using natural products on our skin, the core ethics in Tropic Skincare.

Susie takes great pride in empowering all 12,000 of her ambassadors to start their own beauty business by using her platform to create their own income, she explains “I've been in a position where I didn’t have much, to then be presented with opportunities I’m so lucky they’ve allowed me to be where I am today.”

Susie’s latest challenge has taken her from the most southern tip of Sardinia to the highest peak in North Africa as part of the “Virgin STRIVE” challenge this inspires Charlotte so much she commits to climbing a mountain.