ABOUT OUR CEO AND CO-FOUNDER
Heela Yang: The Force Behind Sol de Janeiro
CEO and co-founder of Sol de Janeiro Heela Yang has built more than a beauty brand – she’s created a global movement in body care and fragrance. Before launching Sol de Janeiro, Heela spent over 12 years shaping the beauty industry at Lancôme (L’Oréal) and Clinique (Estée Lauder Companies), honing the expertise that would later fuel the brand’s explosive growth.
A Visionary Leader in Beauty
Heela’s leadership and innovation have redefined the rapidly growing body care industry. She has earned prestigious recognition, including the CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) UK Achiever Award (2024) and a spot on Glossy’s 50 Top Changemakers (2023). Under her leadership, Sol de Janeiro has become an industry standout, receiving top accolades such as WWD Beauty Inc’s Prestige Brand of the Year (2023), TIME100 Most Influential Companies (2024), and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies (2024)—all celebrating the brand’s rapid category innovation and cultural impact.
From New York to Brazil: A Journey of Reinvention
Leaving behind a thriving corporate career in New York, Heela moved to Brazil with her partner, embracing an entirely new chapter. Shortly after, she discovered she was pregnant—a moment that reshaped her perspective on beauty, confidence, and self-acceptance. Immersed in Brazil’s unapologetic, body-loving culture, she and her co-founders set out to change the way the world experiences beauty. Today, Brazilian Bum Bum® Cream sells every 4 seconds*—a testament to its iconic and undeniable impact.
Leading with Purpose and Innovation
Heela co-founded Sol de Janeiro on a simple but powerful belief: beauty is an attitude, not a standard. Infused with the warmth and spirit of Brazil, the brand inspires connection and self celebration in everything it does.
Now a global powerhouse powerhouse with over 30 products and estimated global retail sales of $1.35B in 2023, Sol de Janeiro continues to grow. Following L’OCCITANE’s majority stake acquisition in 2021, the brand is expanding thoughtfully, blending its vibrant energy with L’OCCITANE’s commitment to sustainability.
As a recognized beauty innovator, Heela remains focused on what’s next—bigger, bolder, and always rooted in connection.
- *Based on internal sales data reflecting calendar year of 2024 of global sales channels.