Anthony Standifer’s entrepreneurial journey began with an unexpected twist. Although a career in entrepreneurship was never his original goal, Standifer’s path evolved after spending 14 years as a marketing professional in the beauty industry, working for multinational corporations like Revlon, Namaste Laboratories and Luster Products Inc.
During these years, he successfully managed the growth and profitability of some of the most iconic multicultural beauty brands. Despite his accomplishments, Standifer felt a pull toward a different kind of impact. Recognizing the absence of accessible resources for budding beauty brand owners, particularly within marginalized communities, he co-founded mSEED group, which would go on to become the largest Black and woman-owned beauty contract manufacturing facility in the U.S.
mSEED group is a U.S.-based manufacturing company that specializes in small-batch production, product development, and brand consulting, particularly for emerging beauty brands. Since its inception, the company has partnered with over 250 brands and completed more than 2,000 product formulations, empowering entrepreneurs, especially those from underrepresented communities, to launch and grow successful beauty businesses.
Under Standifer’s leadership, mSEED group initially focused on providing small-batch manufacturing services to help entrepreneurs refine their products with minimal financial risk. As many of their clients have grown into successful brands, mSEED has expanded its capabilities to support larger-scale production while still serving smaller startups.
Standifer’s leadership extends beyond his work at mSEED group. He serves as the current president of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Chicago, where he leads a network of over 150 business owners. Through EO, he shares insights on entrepreneurship and fosters a collaborative community of high-growth leaders. His commitment to continuous learning and upskilling also informs his approach to leadership at mSEED group, where he encourages a culture of collaboration and personal growth.
“By sharing my own experiences and fostering an environment of continuous learning, I aim to ignite that same enthusiasm in others, inspiring us all to push forward with purpose and a shared sense of mission,” Standifer said.
One of Standifer’s proudest achievements is the work mSEED group has done to empower small business owners, particularly those from marginalized communities, to achieve financial independence. In addition to helping clients scale their businesses, he has become an advocate for entrepreneurial success through his writings and the podcast “Driving the Business: Beauty Brands & Entrepreneurship with Anthony Standifer”, where he shares practical advice on building brands and navigating the beauty industry.
“The combination of corporate success, entrepreneurial impact and industry leadership places Anthony firmly among the titans of the beauty industry,” said his staff.