Dropped Out of Harvard to Sell Soaps and Built an $8 Million Business!

Written by Roberta Souza

Published on 07/03/2025 at 21:36

Foto: IA

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From Lawyer to Entrepreneur: How Andrew Nicol Turned a Risk of Selling Soaps Into a Million-Dollar Success!

Graduated in Law from Harvard Law School, Andrew Nicol followed the expected path for many graduates of the most prestigious university in the world. He joined a large law firm in New York, where his starting salary was US$ 180,000 per year, not counting bonuses, according to the Exame website.

However, something did not make sense. Nicol realized that his true interest was in business and sales, not in Law. It was then that he made a bold decision: he left his legal career to venture into the sustainable fragrance market.

Risky Bet: From Lawyer to Entrepreneur

Quitting a six-figure salary to start a sales business from scratch seemed crazy to many, but Nicol had a well-structured plan.

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Initially, he created a travel review website called TripExpert, but the pandemic slowed the project’s growth. Observing the market, he noticed a gap in the luxury goods industry: while affordable brands were investing in sustainable packaging, high-end brands did not offer refill options for their products.

It was then that he founded Element Brooklyn, a startup specializing in premium soaps and candles with a focus on sustainability.

From Zero to Success: How He Conquered the Market

✔️ The first production was done with a $300 mixer, with the help of his father, a chemical engineer.
✔️ The first product, the Mandarin Crush soap, went viral on TikTok and Instagram, selling out quickly.
✔️ He expanded the portfolio to include high-quality candles and creams, highlighting the cost-effectiveness.
✔️ He invested in sustainable refills, generating customer recurrence and increasing loyalty.
✔️ He created strategic partnerships with spas and wellness clubs, consolidating the brand in the premium segment.

The result? Revenue of over US$ 2 million in the last year and a projection of over US$ 8 million in 2025!

Dropped Out of Harvard to Sell Soaps and Built an $8 Million Business!

From Lawyer to Entrepreneur: How Andrew Nicol Turned a Risk of Selling Soaps Into a Million-Dollar Success!

Risky Bet: From Lawyer to Entrepreneur

From Zero to Success: How He Conquered the Market

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Dropped Out of Harvard to Sell Soaps and Built an $8 Million Business!

From Lawyer to Entrepreneur: How Andrew Nicol Turned a Risk of Selling Soaps Into a Million-Dollar Success!

Risky Bet: From Lawyer to Entrepreneur

From Zero to Success: How He Conquered the Market

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