Designed to Last: How Taste, Product, and Discipline Build Enduring Brands with Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton of Chillhouse
Great brands are built by founders with a clear vision, who know when to trust their instincts, when to ignore the noise, and when to say no.
In this session, we sit down with Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton, Founder & CEO of Chillhouse, to unpack what it actually means to build a product-first, taste-led consumer brand, and why those decisions became a long-term strategic advantage (that led to an acquisition by KISS Beauty Group in January 2026).
From Chillhouse’s early days as an IRL salon and community space to its evolution into a nationally distributed nail-care brand, Cyndi has built by leading with product, design, and restraint, often before the data existed to validate the choice. That discipline didn’t just shape a standout brand; it helped make Chillhouse an acquirable one, while remaining founder-led post-acquisition.
This conversation is for beauty and personal care founders navigating growth, retail expansion, and the pressure to scale fast without losing what makes their brand special.
We’ll cover:
What it really means to be product-first in beauty (and where founders often get it wrong)
How taste and design instinct (not trends) become a competitive moat in crowded categories
Making high-stakes decisions before the data exists, and learning which signals to trust
Protecting brand integrity across retail partners and growth channels
Knowing when to say no to growth opportunities that dilute the brand
Building teams that extend the founder's vision rather than dilute it
Hiring the right people to keep your vision intact as you scale
This is not a conversation about chasing trends or growth at all costs. It’s about building brands that feel intentional, differentiated, and built to last.
ABOUT CYNDI
Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton is a trailblazing Latina entrepreneur and beauty visionary best known as the founder of Chillhouse, the modern self-care and nail-care brand redefining how people experience beauty and community. Launched in New York City in 2017, Chillhouse evolved from a salon-meets-wellness destination into a category-shaping lifestyle brand. As Founder & CEO, Cyndi led the brand’s expansion into major retailers including Target, Urban Outfitters, Revolve, and Walmart, with standout innovations like Chill Tips, its cult-favorite press-on nails. In January 2026, Chillhouse was acquired by KISS Beauty Group, marking a major growth milestone while remaining founder-led within KISS’s global portfolio. Recognized as an Inc. 2025 Female Founder Honoree, Cyndi has been featured on Good Morning America, Vogue, and Forbes.