Ulta Beauty
Founders
Who Founded Ulta Beauty?
Richard E. George, Terry Hanson · Founded 1990 · HQ today: Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States
Who founded Ulta Beauty?
Ulta Beauty was founded by Richard E. George, Terry Hanson in 1990 in Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States. It is now led by Dave Kimbell.
- Founders
- Richard E. George, Terry Hanson
- Founded
- 1990
- Headquarters
- Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States
- Number of founders
- 2
- Current CEO
- Dave Kimbell
- Where was Ulta Beauty founded?
- Ulta Beauty was founded in Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States in 1990. ulta.com
- When was Ulta Beauty founded?
- Ulta Beauty was founded in 1990.
- Who started Ulta Beauty?
- Ulta Beauty was founded by Richard E. George and Terry Hanson.
- How old is Ulta Beauty?
- Ulta Beauty is 36 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
Ulta Beauty was launched in 1990 in Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States by visionary founders seeking to modernise traditional practices across Specialty Retail & Beauty Salons. Through agile early iteration and rigorous financial controls, the business established strong unit economics before expanding nationally and internationally.
What each Ulta Beauty founder did
| Founder | Role at founding | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Richard E. George | Founder & Key Executive | — |
| Terry Hanson | Co-Founder | — |
Ulta Beauty: CEO & Leadership History
Full timeline →Dave Kimbell
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Leadership Team
Corporate Operations
Keep researching Ulta Beauty
Who Founded Ulta Beauty? FAQ
Who were the original founders of Ulta Beauty?
Ulta Beauty was launched in 1990 by visionary innovators who identified structural inefficiencies in Specialty Retail & Beauty Salons and created a more responsive, reliable customer alternative.
What inspired the founding of Ulta Beauty?
The founders were motivated by a determination to deliver transparent, high-value, and reliable products, replacing cumbersome legacy practices with streamlined customer-first solutions.
What were the biggest initial challenges the founders faced?
Early obstacles included securing sufficient growth capital, navigating strict regulatory licensing frameworks, and building consumer trust against deeply entrenched legacy competitors.
Do the original founders still influence Ulta Beauty today?
While modern executive leadership manages daily operations, the foundational ethos of customer service, integrity, and operational discipline established by the founders remains central to Ulta Beauty's corporate mission.
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