Toni Ko
Founder, NYX Cosmetics
Toni Ko is a first-generation South Korean entrepreneur who established herself in the business world as the founder of NYX Cosmetics. In 2016 Forbes placed Ko on the cover of its America’s Richest Self-Made Women issue. She is also the founder of Bespoke Beauty brands, a company that collaborates with influencers to help them form their own beauty lines. Ko was born in Dageu, South Korea. When she was 13, her family immigrated to the United States. As a teen, Ko worked for her parent’s cosmetic retail stores. She started NYX in Los Angeles when she was 25 with seed money from her parents. Ko has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Asian Business Association. She received the Leadership Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners LA, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Beauty Bus Foundation.
HALL OF FAME ESSAY
I am a first-generation immigrant. My family immigrated to the US when I was 13 years old. It was the spring of 1986 when we landed in LA. And as soon as I walked out of the airport and took my first breath of delicious LA air, I immediately fell in love with this land of opportunity and infinite possibilities. Despite not speaking a word of English, I quickly learned the true language between humans is communicating through smiles, kindness, and empathy. I started my first business, NYX Cosmetics, in 1999 in a 600 sq foot showroom with only three employees to start the business — me, myself, and I. At 25 years old, I had no idea what the future held for the brand. NYX Cosmetics became the first global and national brand founded by an Asian American female in the world. I am immensely proud and humbled by how a business can manifest into something spectacular out of nothing except a vision and a faint idea in someone’s head. My story represents the essence of immigration. It embodies the spirit of taking a chance and the courage of passing over oceans and continents. It embodies the spirit of being a risk-taker and having the courage. Isn’t immigration the basis of what makes this country greater than any other country in the world? The United States is made up of 350 strong descendants of seekers willing to make a risk and plant their roots in a foreign land. We are the generations of them. And we have the opportunity to pave the way for future generations to shine brighter. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be an example of the American Dream and be a part of this great nation’s history. I hope my story inspires others to pursue their dreams and to know that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. I am forever grateful.
Toni Ko at Asian Hall of Fame’s 18th Induction Ceremony
“I do believe that if one sets a personal goal and does everything one can possibly do to accomplishing that goal, then the trying itself is breaking the future. My goal is to sell three companies before I retire.”
– TONI KO
