British entrepreneur and perfumer Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Malone London and Jo Loves, shared insights into her difficult upbringing and early start in entrepreneurship during an episode of CNBC’s “Executive Decisions” podcast.

Malone grew up on a council estate in Kent, England. At just 11 years old, she became the family’s breadwinner, ensuring there was enough money for essentials as her father gambled and her mother worked in the beauty industry but later suffered a breakdown. Malone missed nearly a year of school while supporting her mother, father, and younger sister.

She began selling homemade face creams in London for £4.50 ($5.90), replicating products her mother used to sell. On weekends, she sold her father’s paintings and even attended poker games to learn card-reading skills from him. These early experiences, she said, “made” her and taught her resilience, resourcefulness, and the drive to generate income.

Malone described her teenage years as lonely, taking on household responsibilities instead of enjoying normal activities with peers. Early jobs in flower shops, restaurants, and dog-walking further cultivated her independence and entrepreneurial mindset.

After founding Jo Malone London, which was acquired by Estée Lauder Companies in 1999, Malone became a millionaire. She later launched Jo Loves and, most recently, a luxury spirits brand, Jo Vodka, while residing in Dubai.

Reflecting on her journey, Malone said:

“It was survival in the beginning… When I started that first business of skincare, that’s when I knew I was in charge of my own life, and I had to make that happen… that’s when the entrepreneur really took hold.”