KJ Miller is the Co-founder and CEO of Mented Cosmetics, a multi-million dollar beauty brand celebrating women of all hues. Since its 2017 launch Mented has achieved rapid growth by helping women feel seen and empowered with its inclusive shade range. KJ led the company in securing over $9M in venture funding, and has been featured in several publications including Forbes, Fast Company, and The New York Times for her authentic, relatable approach to entrepreneurship.
Prior to founding Mented KJ spent most of her career working in retail, with a two-year hiatus to attend Harvard Business School graduating in 2014. Her immense retail and product experience spans across functions including merchandising, assortment planning, and supply chain management.
Outside of Mented, KJ is a Lecturer at Yale School of Management and an angel investor with a focus on women-led consumer product companies. She has guest lectured at top-ranked business schools across the country including Harvard Business School, NYU Stern and Columbia Business School, and created a ground-breaking online course, Startup Starter Kit, that levels the entrepreneurial playing field and makes the business world accessible to all.
Education
MBA, Harvard Business School
BA, Harvard College
Forbes, ‘Mented Cosmetics Disrupts $40 Billion Beauty Sector By Igniting Cultural Capital’ Apr 2022
O Magazine, ‘This Powerhouse Duo Is Making Up For a Lack of Representation In the Beauty Industry’ Dec 2020
Morning Brew, ‘The 15 Fastest Growing Brands of 2020’, Dec 2020
New York Times, ‘Starting Your Own Business is Hard. Here’s Some Advice.’ Nov 2019
Forbes, ‘Founders of Mented Cosmetics become 15th, 16th Black Women to raise $1M in Capital’, Oct 2017
Harvard Business School Trailblazer Award, 2023
Black Enterprise 40 Under 40, 2022
CEW, Female Founder Award, 2020
National Retail Federation, Dreamer Award, 2019
