Meagan Pate is a flourishing entreprenuer who has helped co-found two leading brands that are only going from strength-to-strength.
Pate is co-owner and CMO of Three Warriors, a certified organic sunless tanning brand, and co-founder of Straand, an Australian microbiome-focused scalp and hair care brand.
Here, Pate details her career journey and how she landed co-founded two leading brands, while also sharing the essential skills a cosmetics industry professional needs to possess to suceed.
Tell us about your first job in beauty?
My first job was as a make-up artist at MAC Cosmetics.
I was [working] on the counter every day, talking to people, hearing their insecurities, helping them get ready for big life moments – weddings, job interviews, breakups, you name it.
It gave me a deep understanding of what beauty really is: emotional, not transactional.
What was a lesson you learned early in your career?
Once you create something – whether it is a product, campaign or brand – it does not belong to you anymore.
You become the custodian of it.
The best thing you can do is stay close to your community and keep listening. The market will always tell you what is working.
Three Warriors products
Is there someone who has helped you climb the ladder or provided some key advice?
There are so many people that it is hard to name just one.
But much more broadly, the industry itself is incredibly collaborative and generous.
People are so open with their time, advice and experience, whether it is a quick coffee or a deep conversation.
What is the best thing about your current job?
Creating things – whether that is a product, campaign or a fun brand moment.
In a start-up, resources are tight, but that forces you to get resourceful. You learn how to make ideas happen with creativity and clarity, not just budget.
What core skills do you need to have as a leader today?
Resilience, clarity and adaptability.
The industry changes overnight – so what worked six months ago might not work today.
As a leader, you need to hold your vision but move quickly. You cannot get attached to old strategies.
Straand Hair and Scalp Care
What skills do you look for when hiring a team?
Curiosity, accountability and tenacity.
I want people who take ownership, who can think creatively but also make things happen.
In a small brand you need people who can zoom in and out – one-minute designing an email, the next day analysing company performance.
What is your proudest career moment to date?
The launch of Three Warriors Hydrabronze Tan Drops was a big one.
It marked a new era for the brand as we had just refreshed our look and tone, and completely exceeded expectations.
We launched at luxury department store Harrods at the same time, and then seeing someone like legendary MUA Val Garland using it was a real pinch-me moment.
What tips do you have for anyone starting out?
Just start. Don’t wait until it is perfect – it never will be. You learn more by doing than by overthinking.
In saying that, I appreciate strategy as you still need clarity and focus.
It is important to get clear on your ‘North star’ so you are shooting in the right direction.
Also build your community early. Reach out to people, collaborate, share what you learn.
And if that community does not exist, then create it.
Three Warriors popular tanning product
Tell us something about your job that might be unexpected.
It is a lot less glossy than it looks.
For every campaign shoot or launch, there are countless hours behind a laptop – supply chain calls, margin calculations, late-night edits.
But I actually love that side too, it keeps you grounded.
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