Laura Garratt
Laura Garratt is an accomplished entrepreneur and former beauty industry executive, currently serving as the owner of Painter Bros of Fort Lauderdale, a franchise she launched and built from the ground up in 2023. With over 25 years of experience in global product development, innovation, and marketing, Laura has led high-impact initiatives across major beauty and wellness brands, including Estée Lauder, bareMinerals, and Monat Global. Her expertise spans product ideation, go-to-market strategy, trend forecasting, and building profitable innovation pipelines, all while fostering collaborative, high-performing teams and cultivating a culture of creativity and excellence.
Laura’s career in the beauty industry involved directing multi-million-dollar product portfolios, driving brand launches, and leading cross-functional teams across the U.S., APAC, LATAM, Canada, and Europe. She has been instrumental in developing new product franchises, revamping existing brands, and implementing innovative strategies that delivered significant revenue growth. Recognized for her leadership and collaborative approach, she received the “Make it One” award at Monat Global and continues to serve on the Painter Bros Franchise Advisory Committee, advocating for franchise owners and championing organizational culture.
Since transitioning into entrepreneurship, Laura has expanded her focus to include consulting and entrepreneurial ventures in the beauty sector while transforming spaces through Painter Bros. She emphasizes color, texture, and specialty finishes, combining design sensibility with operational excellence. Laura is an active member of Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW), CAI, BNI, and multiple local Chambers of Commerce. She encourages the next generation to trust their instincts, embrace change, avoid people-pleasing, and build supportive communities, drawing on her extensive global experience to inspire and mentor others in business and creativity.
• Cultivating a Growth Mindset
• Stony Brook University
• Fashion Institute of Technology- Master's
• Culture Champion Award
• Franchise Advisory Committee
• BNI
• CAI
• CEW
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to decades of learning how innovation, culture, and leadership drive results, combined with the courage to take bold risks—like leaving corporate life to build Painter Bros from the ground up. At the core, it’s always been about transformation, trusting my instincts, and leading with clarity while staying true to the people and communities I serve.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to trust your instincts, embrace change, lead with your values, avoid people-pleasing, and invest in building a supportive, collaborative community around you.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field right now are building credibility and processes from scratch in a new industry, leading without legacy, and making high-stakes decisions independently. At the same time, these challenges create opportunities to innovate, define culture intentionally, and grow as a values-driven leader.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both work and life are community, trust, and accountability, as they guide how I lead, collaborate, and build lasting relationships.