Launched in 2018 with Enterprise Ireland, the Elevation Award recognises fast-growing Irish companies with substantial potential for global expansion. Sculpted by Aimee, a multi-purpose beauty product brand, is a finalist in this category. Its CEO, Aimee Connolly, sits down with Business & Finance to discuss the company’s nomination.
What motivated you to start the company?
From the start, I envisioned creating something unique in the beauty industry. As a makeup artist, I worked with countless products on clients of all skin types, tones, and styles. I noticed that many felt overwhelmed—unsure of what to buy, how to apply it, or how to achieve a natural, radiant look. I founded Sculpted by Aimee to simplify beauty. My goal was to offer high-quality, versatile products that are easy to use, multi-functional, and accessible to all ages and skill levels. I wanted each product to empower people to feel confident and look their best without needing a professional’s help. It’s about making beauty accessible, approachable, and enjoyable. I wanted our products to enhance natural features, rather than mask them, which is a core philosophy at Sculpted by Aimee.
What does it feel like to put your vision into practice?
Realising my vision has been both exhilarating and fulfilling. Seeing ideas that started in my head, like one of our products, become something real that people use and enjoy is a special kind of pride. Every time I see someone using Sculpted products and feeling confident, it reminds me why I started. Building Sculpted by Aimee has meant hard work: developing products, building a team, and creating a meaningful brand. Hearing from customers about how Sculpted empowers them in their beauty routines is incredibly rewarding. Of course, there have been challenges, but each milestone feels even mor meaningful. Watching Sculpted grow and seeing our impact is an indescribable feeling.
How does it feel to be an Elevation Award finalist?
It’s a huge honour to be nominated as a finalist for the Elevation Award! This recognition feels incredibly rewarding as I reflect on Sculpted’s journey. From starting as a small, passionate team to growing into a brand loved by many, it’s been a journey filled with hard work, dedication, and learning, with so much more to come. Being a finalist for this award is a testament to everyone behind Sculpted—our talented team, loyal customers, and supporters. This recognition is motivation for us to keep innovating and staying true to our values.
What, in your opinion, specifically led to this nomination?
Our nomination reflects a combination of our commitment to quality, innovation, and our team’s passion. From the beginning, we’ve focused on creating multi-functional products that genuinely meet customer needs, simplifying beauty routines. Innovation has also been key; we’ve taken risks by launching unique products that resonate with our community. Beyond makeup, Sculpted stands for building confidence and helping people feel comfortable in their skin. Our team’s dedication has been instrumental in bringing our vision to life, and this nomination honours that hard work. Sculpted is now the #1 mass cosmetics brand in Boots Ireland, outpacing major brands—a testament to the hard work and drive that keep us going.
How has Enterprise Ireland’s support impacted your global vision?
Enterprise Ireland’s support has been instrumental in expanding Sculpted by Aimee internationally. Their financial backing and guidance have been crucial for scaling our business. Their market insights and network connections have opened doors in key markets, allowing us to connect with distributors and partners. This support has accelerated our global vision, enabling us to grow from a local Irish brand into an international presence.
For more information about Sculpted by Aimee, click here
Business & Finance Awards Elevation Award
The Elevation Award category was launched in 2018, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland. This award recognises Irish companies that are fast-growing and with significant potential to continue to scale globally. The Award complements the well-established Company of the Year Award.
Previous winners of the prestigious prize include Portwest in 2018, Wisetek in 2019, Aerogen in 2020, APC ltd. in 2021, FINEOS in 2022, and Fenergo in 2023.
Attend the Awards
The award ceremony holds an important date for Irish and international business and political leaders as we recognise those paving the way for business excellence on the island of Ireland and beyond. Given demand, table availability is limited. For Partnership opportunities contact brian.kearns@businessandfinance.com.
For more information on the 50th annual Business & Finance Awards see www.businessandfinanceawards.com