Cody Plofker, CEO of Jones Road Beauty, has announced he is stepping down from the top job at the make-up brand, which was founded by his mother, MUA Bobbi Brown.
Announcing his departure in a post on LinkedIn, Plofker said: “I am excited to announce that today is my last day as CEO of Jones Road Beauty.
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“I have decided to step down from my day-to-day role for a mixture of personal and professional reasons.
“I am incredibly proud of what we were able to accomplish in around five years and never thought in my wildest of dreams we would be here so quickly.”
Brown launched her ‘no-make-up’ make-up brand Jones Road Beauty on 26 October 2020, two days after her non-compete clause with Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) ran out.
Brown sold her namesake brand to the beauty giant in 1995, signing the 25-year agreement thinking she would work for the company until she retired.
After a four-year break between leaving ELC in 2016 and the end of the agreement, Brown returned to beauty with Jones Road Beauty.
Designed to suit all ages, skin types and skin tones, the range offers ‘clean’, high-grade formulations for women to achieve a ‘no make-up make-up’ look.
Plofker has been with the brand from the outset, starting as Director of Ecommerce and then becoming CMO in 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He was elevated to CEO in December 2024.
“This has been an incredible ride and I have learned so much from it,” continued Plofker in his LinkedIn post.
“We built a bootstrapped, nine-figure profitable business from my hometown in NJ [New Jersey] without any wholesale or Amazon.
“But, I also have to be honest with myself about what I enjoy doing, and also what the business needs in its next phase.
“I know for certain this is the right call.
“Professionally, I would rather be building funnels and running adverts than managing people and dealing with various BS that comes with being CEO.
“I have not gotten to do the fun stuff in a while.
“For Jones Road, I know the business will be better served by an experienced CEO who has a different skillset than mine and a renewed passion for the business.
“This is 100% my decision and I have no shame in saying that even though I helped us get here, I am not the right person for the next phase.”
Plofker will remain involved in the business as an advisor and member of the board.
“Cody’s impact on Jones Road has been immeasurable,” said Brown in a statement provided to Cosmetics Business.
“Over the last five years, he has held several roles, taking this company to a level of success we never imagined could be possible in such a short time.
“He has been a powerful force in setting Jones Road up for its next chapter in our expansion.
“And for me, personally, he has been an invaluable sounding board.
“I am thrilled he will remain both a close advisor and a board member as Jones Road enters its next phase of growth.”
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