Michelle Phan: From YouTube Sensation to Entrepreneur

The video streaming site YouTube is filled with videos that teach people how to do a myriad of activities. Among all of these tutorial videos, the makeup tutorial videos posted by Michelle Phan are just some of those that stood out. Since she began posting these videos on her YouTube channel in 2005, Phan has received over a billion views from all over the world.

The popularity of her tutorial videos grew even more after popular websites such as Buzz Feed featured some of her videos on their site. The success of her YouTube channel prompted the site to offer her an advertising partnership and helped her create a multi-channel network on the site called FAWN.

In 2010, after featuring the prominent makeup brand Lancôme in her videos several times, the cosmetics company chose Phan to be their official makeup artists in a series of videos that they made. Phan’s relationships with famous makeup brands didn’t end there. In 2013, L'Oreal came up with a cosmetics line called “EM” by Michelle Phan. By 2014, it seems like there was no stopping Phan as she partnered up with reality-show producer of Endemol Beyond USA. Together, they will create content for millennials and build a talent network featuring YouTube stars.

In spite of all her success as a YouTube sensation and popular media personality, Phan still ventured into unchartered territory when she co-founded Ipsy, an online subscription service where members can receive samples of beauty products carefully selected by Phan and her team.

Phan was born in Massachusetts, but she grew up in Tampa, Florida where she completed high school. She went on to study at the Ringling College of Art and Design. She was not able to earn a degree; however, she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the college in March 2014 for her achievements.