I worked on a makeup counter in Glasgow – now I’m on Forbes 30 Under 30 list, I could cry
A MAKE-UP mogul has admitted “dreams come true” after being named on the pretigious Forbes 30 under 30 list.
Influencer Jamie Genevieve, from Glasgow, is a social media phenomenon who posts beauty tips online and has her own multi-million pound make-up range, Vieve.
The 29-year-old has amassed an army of 1.4million followers who swear by her easy-to-follow tutorials and even considers Drew Barrymore as a celebrity client list.
And the influencer, real name Jamie Grant, has now earned a spot on Forbes 30 under 30 Retail and E-commerce Europe list for 2023.
The list celebrates the most influential young entrepreneurs who “reinvent how we shop, online and off”.
Reacting to the honour, Jamie – who is expecting her first child in May – said: “Forbes 30 Under 30, I can’t believe it.
“Almost five years ago, I was sitting in Starbucks Glasgow Airport having one of the very first Vieve meetings and I was asked by my colleague what goals I had for myself in the world of business.
“I started to speak and actually stopped myself because I thought it sounded so ridiculous, but with gentle encouragement I said ‘I would love to be in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list’.
“Makes me want to cry, thinking what that Jamie from five years ago would think seeing everything that has been accomplished today.
“What a huge dream come true.
“Thank you Forbes, my wonderful Vieve team and to you all for your continued love and support. Without you, I wouldn’t be here.”
Jamie’s profile on the Forbes list reads: “Glasgow resident Jamie Genevieve Grant has attracted 1.4 million Instagram followers while scaling a vegan and cruelty-free makeup brand.
“Launched in 2020, VIEVE announced a $6.2 million Series A in 2022. From eyeliner to lipstick to bronzer, products sell direct-to-consumer online and wholesale in select retailers, including 13 SpaceNK stores and Harrods.”
The Scots beauty has since been inundated with support from celebs, influencers and fans.
Mitchell Halliday, founder of beauty brand Made By Mitchell, said: “Nobody deserves these achievements more than you Jamie.
“I am so proud of you, so inspired by you and so utterly speechless, because of you. Again and again.”
Makeup artist and YouTube star Kandee Johnson added: “Congrats you super-powerhouse, beauty! I’m so proud of you. Cheering and screaming and sending you hugs.”
And Love Island’s Millie Court wrote: “Amazing!!!! Congrats girl.”
Jamie was working on a beauty counter at Debenhams in Glasgow when she started posting on Instagram and YouTube.
She eventually quit her shop job to focus on her social media channels full time and travels the world promoting herself and her products.
The make-up pro initially set up a studio at her kitchen table, and her now husband Jack McCann quit his job as a bricklayer to become her editor.
Brands soon got in touch asking her to plug their products and stores including Harrods now stock her branded line, including £21 lipsticks.
Taking her success to the next level, Jamie sold a minority stake in Vieve for £5.5 million last year.
Only founded in 2020, the cosmetics line promotes veganism and cruelty-free products.
Forbes first launched its 30 Under 30 list in 2011 in America, and introduced the Europe list in 2016.
The list names 30 influential young people across 10 categories – including art and culture, manufacturing and industry and science and healthcare.