Launched: 2013
Key Executives:
2025 Full Year Expected Revenue Range: $200 to $250 million according to industry estimates
2025 Projected Offline Distribution Points: ~4,250
Primary Category: Haircare
Other Categories: Salon Services
Key Markets: United States
Retail Partnerships: Ulta Beauty, Amazon, Walmart
Primary Distribution Channel: Owned and Operated (Direct and Hair Color Bar)
Other Distribution Channels: Mass
Funding Rounds: Venture Capital
Total Funds Raised: $250 to $330 million
In 2021, Madison Reed closed a $52 million financing round.
The company raised $51 million at the beginning of 2019 in order to roll out more Color Bars.
Previous rounds of funding according to Crunchbase:
In 2013, Series A $4 million led by True Ventures
In 2014, Series B $12 million led by Northwest Ventures
In 2015, Series C $16.1 million led by Shea Ventures
In 2017, debt financing $10 million
In 2017, Series C $25 million led by Comcast Ventures
In 2015, raised $16.1 million Series C
In 2014, raised $12 million Series B
In 2013, raised $4 million Series A
In 2017, Madison Reed raised $13 million
Notable Investors / Funding Partners: True Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, Comcast Ventures, Maveron, Shea Ventures
Notable Advisors / Board Members:
Jon Callaghan (Co-Founder and Managing Partner, True Ventures).
Jeff Crowe (Senior Managing Partner, Norwest Venture Partners),
Stephanie Davis Michelman (Former CEO, The INKEY List),
Michael Dubin (Founder of Dollar Shave Club)
For Madison Reed, hair color is a gateway to something much larger: a life-changing mission that touches everyone it serves.
A decade ago, I set out to revolutionize the hair color industry, addressing a long-overdue need for change. With 50% of US women coloring their hair at home, Madison Reed gave women the freedom to take control of their hair color experience—using salon-quality products made without harsh ingredients that are effective, and easy to apply at home. Madison Reed was quickly recognized as a category leader and has been recognized six times by the highly coveted Allure Best of Beauty Awards.
Madison Reed didn’t stop with at-home hair color. For the other 50% of women who visit salons, the company introduced Hair Color Bars, a groundbreaking concept that merges convenience, quality, and care. Across its 92 locations nationwide, Madison Reed offers a reimagined salon experience where guests receive expert application of its salon-quality color by licensed colorists. These Hair Color Bars don’t just deliver exceptional service—they provide an empowering workplace for Madison Reed colorists.
Driven by an authentic commitment to doing what’s right, the mission of this value-driven company is to uplift and support their team by providing the resources, benefits, and respect to grow and thrive. In 2024, Madison Reed reached nearly 1,000 team members—over 90% of whom identify as female and 65% BIPOC—because leading with love is at Madison Reed’s roots.
Insights provided by Amy Errett, Founder + CEO
Key business initiatives for 2025?
In 2025, Madison Reed will continue to grow as an omnichannel business, while capturing an increased market share among a new Gen Z audience with its latest product innovation, ColorWonder Demi-Permanent Hair Color—a salon-quality, demi-permanent hair color made without harsh ingredients that works in 20 minutes and lasts up to 25 washes that allows guests to color on their own terms at home or in a Madison Reed Hair Color Bar. The addition of ColorWonder to Madison Reed’s product portfolio is the latest chapter of Madison Reed’s growth story, giving the brand the opportunity to capture the market of women 18 to 44, 78% of whom color their hair.
Drawing from Madison Reed’s mission to boldly change the game for women, in their hair color and their lives, the brand celebrated this launch with a long-term partnership with UConn Athletics and the UConn Women’s Basketball Team, which will continue beyond 2025, as well as Team ColorWonder—a campaign rooted in the power of women athletes starring Brand Ambassadors and Impact Advisors Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, as well as Ice Brady and Morgan Cheli. Finally, Madison Reed aims to further grow its Hair Color Bars and reach 100 doors and wholesale presence through the expansion of new Hair Color Bar locations and retail doors.
What are you most proud of having accomplished?
I am most proud of the cultural shift Madison Reed has sparked in the beauty industry by blending innovation with purpose. The launch of Madison Reed disrupted how women experience hair color, combining salon-quality products with the freedom to color their hair at home or in one of our 92+ Hair Color Bars—using the same prestige product.
I take immense pride in empowering women—from our guests and our team. For our guests, we deliver prestige products formulated without harsh ingredients like ammonia, PPD, resorcinol, parabens, phthalates, gluten, SLS, and titanium dioxide. For our 1,000+ colorists over 90% of whom identify as female and 65% BIPOC—we’ve redefined what it means to be a cosmetologist. By paying up to two times the industry standard, providing healthcare, and career growth opportunities, we’ve created an environment where stylists thrive.
Our brand partnership with the UConn’s Women’s Basketball Team and star players, like Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, reflects our deeper mission of building confidence through equity and empowerment, offering female athletes equity stakes, internships, and pathways for success. Ultimately, I am proud that Madison Reed stands for more than just beauty. It’s a brand rooted in confidence, respect, integrity, and love—ensuring every guest and team member feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed.
What has been the biggest surprise?
I quickly learned that hair color has the ability to transform. It empowers women to be fearless, radiate their best selves, and embrace every moment with confidence. For colorists, it’s more than a skill—it’s their artistry, their passion, and their power to make every guest feel beautiful.
The emotional connection women have to their hair color proves that the efficacy of our products and services is core to the success of our brand. Hair color is an efficacy based product … and you truly can’t fake it.
Guests express how Madison Reed has made them feel empowered and how our disruptive business model, that lets them color on their own terms without sacrificing results or ingredients, has created lasting, powerful changes in their lives. This understanding validated our commitment to providing products and services that make a meaningful impact on guests’ lives—they can rely on Madison Reed to show up where, and when, they need us.
What fuels your competitive advantage?
Madison Reed’s impact is rooted in a simple yet profound principle: lead with love. The company has not only disrupted an industry but has set a new standard for how businesses can succeed while uplifting their teams and customers. With its cutting-edge AI technology that matches a guest to the right hair color, Smart 8-Free formulas, and unwavering commitment to doing what’s right, Madison Reed ensures consistent excellence both online and in-person. This transformative brand has reshaped more than hair color—it’s reshaped lives and perspectives. Because to truly change the world, you have to start by changing how you see it. Madison Reed has done just that, proving that innovation, compassion, and confidence are the ultimate shades of success.
Insight on the future of the beauty industry.
The beauty industry is shifting toward personalized, technology-driven solutions. Consumers are demanding more transparency, personalized assistance, and products tailored to their specific needs. Technology will continue to play a pivotal role in this transformation, from AI-powered product recommendations to tools that match shades and facilitate virtual try on. Madison-Reed.com has leveraged AI for 10 years to help customers find their perfect shade and added personalized service by employing licensed colorists who provide expert guidance. This innovation made women feel truly seen and heard. While we are a beauty company we are also a technology company that has led in this innovation since inception.
The industry will see an increase in omnichannel business models that combine online connections with in-person experiences, like Madison Reed’s direct-to-consumer, retail and Hair Color Bar presence. The beauty in this model is that you are everywhere your guest needs you, with solutions that meet varying consumer behaviors and preferences. Our job is to meet our guests where they are.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I’ve received is to trust your gut … it’s my superpower. Oftentimes in business we get caught up in only looking at the data or analysis. While this is important to consider in the decision-making process, I’ve learned over the years if you have a feeling in your gut, go with it. It has never steered me wrong.
What is the best mistake you've ever made and what did you learn?
Early on, we launched a technology feature that didn’t perform as intended—it was too complex for customers to use easily. Initially, it felt like a failure, but it forced us to double down on simplifying our tools and making our offerings more intuitive. The lesson was clear: listen to your customers and prioritize their experience above all else. Mistakes are inevitable, but they’re also opportunities to learn and improve. That feature’s shortcomings ultimately led to the development of more effective, customer-friendly innovations that now define our brand.
What advice would you give to someone contemplating launching a beauty brand?
First, understand your audience. Many investors gravitate toward things they relate to, which can sometimes create challenges. Fortunately, there are now more beauty-focused investors and female venture capitalists, as well as funds passionate about the category, than ever before. Target people who know and appreciate the beauty industry to increase your chances of success.
Second, understand the rules of engagement for raising capital. If you’re seeking venture funding, ensure your total addressable market is big enough to support substantial growth—venture investors look for significant returns like 5x or 10x. That means having a large market and a plan to grow a business with meaningful evaluations. Beyond financials, investors care about the talent you bring to the table, the innovation and technology in your business, and your deep understanding of your customer. Be clear about the size of the market and how much capital you’ll need to succeed. There isn’t a single formula for raising money, but showing investors that you understand these critical constructs is essential to earning their trust and investment.
If you could change one thing in the beauty industry what would it be?
At Madison Reed, we believe that salon-quality hair color made without harsh ingredients should be accessible and that women deserve more, in their hair color and their lives. To us, this means empowering our guests to choose where and when they purchase our products and color their hair so they have the freedom to enjoy gorgeous results on their own terms. The democratization of the beauty industry is powerful—and something that should be adapted by other beauty brands so consumers can have access to the beauty solutions they deserve. We are truly agnostic to where our guests experience Madison Reed, at home or in a Madison Reed Hair Color Bar, and the beauty in that model is we are everywhere they need us.
