Susie Ma – The Visionary British-Chinese Entrepreneur Behind Tropic Skincare’s Sustainable Revolution
Who is Susie Ma?
Susie Ma is a renowned British-Chinese entrepreneur, philanthropist, and sustainability advocate. Best known as the Founder and CEO of Tropic Skincare, she is celebrated for transforming a teenage kitchen-table project into one of Britain’s fastest-growing ethical beauty companies. Born on 22 November 1988 in Shanghai, China, Susie Ma moved to London as a child and later attended Croydon High School before graduating with a BA in Philosophy and Economics from University College London (UCL).
Her entrepreneurial journey is a story of resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership — values that have helped her become a household name in the UK’s green business movement.
Early Life and Inspiration of Susie Ma
Growing up in modest circumstances, Susie Ma was deeply influenced by her mother and grandmother. Her grandmother, who lived in tropical Australia, inspired her with homemade body scrub recipes crafted from natural ingredients. At just 15 years old, Susie began recreating these tropical blends in her mother’s kitchen to help pay household bills.
With unwavering determination, she started selling her handmade products at Greenwich Market, gaining loyal customers who loved her natural, cruelty-free skincare creations. This humble beginning laid the foundation for what would later become the multi-million-pound enterprise — Tropic Skincare.
The Apprentice and Alan Sugar’s Investment
In 2011, Susie Ma appeared on the seventh series of BBC’s The Apprentice, where she quickly impressed Lord Alan Sugar with her drive and business acumen. Although she finished in third place, her passion and potential stood out. After the show, Alan Sugar decided to invest in her venture, acquiring a 50% stake in Tropic Skincare.
This partnership helped catapult Tropic into the mainstream beauty market, allowing it to expand operations, launch new products, and reach thousands of customers across the UK. In 2023, Susie Ma bought back Lord Sugar’s shares, becoming the sole owner of her company once again — a remarkable milestone that underscored her independence and entrepreneurial strength.
Tropic Skincare – Built on Purpose and Passion
Founded officially in 2004, Tropic Skincare is far more than a cosmetics brand; it is a movement built around an “Infinite Purpose” — to help create a healthier, greener, and more empowered world.
Under Susie Ma’s leadership, Tropic has become one of Britain’s most sustainable and socially responsible beauty brands. Every product is freshly made in their Surrey Beauty Kitchen, using the finest tropical ingredients sourced ethically from around the globe.
Tropic’s Infinite Purpose
The company donates 10% of all profits to charitable causes that align with their values of empowerment and sustainability. This includes:
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Building three schools and funding over six million school days for children in remote communities.
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Supporting two food banks for an entire year through The Trussell Trust.
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Planting over 7,000 climate-resilient trees in the Hampshire South Downs.
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Creating a coral nursery in the Great Barrier Reef to restore marine biodiversity.
This holistic approach to business has made Susie Ma a role model for sustainable entrepreneurship worldwide.
Empowering Women through Social Selling
A major innovation introduced by Susie Ma was Tropic’s social-selling model, launched in 2013. This system empowers more than 20,000 active Ambassadors—mostly women—to build their own businesses and earn on their own terms.
By blending ethical commerce with personal empowerment, Susie has built a community that celebrates ambition, flexibility, and independence. This model has been pivotal in fostering confidence and financial freedom among women across the UK.
Awards and Recognition
Over her two-decade career, Susie Ma has earned numerous national and international accolades for her entrepreneurial excellence and social impact. Some of her most notable honours include:
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Forbes 30 Under 30 (Europe – Retail & E-commerce, 2018)
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EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Building a Better Working World, 2018)
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Management Today’s 35 Under 35 (2019)
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The Sunday Times 100 Fastest-Growing British Companies (six consecutive years)
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Oresa Growth Index (2023) – Recognising Tropic as one of the UK’s fastest-growing firms
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JP Morgan Top 200 Women-Powered UK Businesses (2023) – Listed among the top 10 women-led companies
These awards reflect her continued commitment to innovation, sustainability, and ethical business practices.
Personal Life of Susie Ma
Despite her high-profile success, Susie Ma maintains a grounded and family-oriented lifestyle. She currently lives in Surrey, England, with her partner Matt and their daughter Sienna, born in late 2023.
Susie frequently shares heartfelt moments on her Instagram account (@susiematropic), offering glimpses into her life as a mother and entrepreneur. Posts featuring her family, including her dog Luna, highlight her warmth, gratitude, and belief in work-life balance.
Her journey reflects not just business brilliance, but also compassion, empathy, and an understanding of life’s deeper purposes — qualities that make her an inspiration to millions.
Net Worth of Susie Ma
As of March 2025, Susie Ma’s net worth is estimated at £73 million, according to The Sunday Times Rich List. Her fortune stems from her full ownership of Tropic Skincare, which continues to experience year-on-year growth in both sales and profitability.
In 2024, Tropic Skincare recorded revenues of approximately £68 million, with pre-tax profits of £8.7 million, reaffirming its place among the UK’s most successful private beauty companies.
Leadership Style and Philosophy
At the heart of Susie Ma’s success lies her belief that doing good is good business. Her leadership philosophy revolves around sustainability, integrity, and empowerment. She encourages innovation in every department of Tropic — from the Innovation Lab to the Surrey Beauty Kitchen — ensuring products are ethically produced and environmentally responsible.
She is also a passionate advocate for women in business, often speaking at events on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and leadership. Her motto remains simple yet powerful: “When you do good, you feel good — and that’s the most beautiful thing of all.”
The Legacy and Future of Susie Ma
At just 36 years old, Susie Ma has already achieved what many entrepreneurs spend a lifetime striving for — financial independence, industry recognition, and meaningful global impact. Yet, she shows no signs of slowing down.
Her ongoing mission is to expand Tropic Skincare’s international footprint while staying true to its ethical roots. As she continues to blend science, sustainability, and purpose, Susie is redefining what it means to be a modern business leader in the beauty industry.
Her story is not just about skincare — it’s about self-belief, perseverance, and the pursuit of a better, greener world.
FAQs
1. How did Susie Ma achieve her financial success?
Susie Ma built her financial success through her company Tropic Skincare, which she founded at just 15 years old. Starting from homemade natural scrubs sold at Greenwich Market, she grew Tropic into one of the UK’s fastest-growing ethical beauty brands. Her focus on sustainability, innovation, and empowering women through a social-selling model has made her a multi-millionaire entrepreneur.
2. What is Susie Ma’s net worth?
As of 2025, Susie Ma’s net worth is estimated at £73 million, according to The Sunday Times. She is the sole owner of Tropic Skincare, which generates annual revenues exceeding £68 million, with consistent year-on-year growth.
3. What is Tropic Skincare known for?
Tropic Skincare is a British beauty brand renowned for its freshly made, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare and cosmetics. Under Susie Ma’s leadership, the company donates 10% of all profits to global charities and environmental causes. It’s widely recognised for combining ethical beauty with social impact through its “Infinite Purpose” mission.
4. How old is Susie Ma?
Susie Ma is 36 years old, born on 22 November 1988 in Shanghai, China. She later moved to the UK, attended Croydon High School, and graduated from University College London with a degree in Philosophy and Economics.
5. Is Susie Ma married and does she have children?
While Susie Ma has not publicly confirmed her marital status, she shares posts about her partner, Matt, and their daughter, Sienna, born in late 2023. She often expresses her love for family life on her Instagram account, balancing motherhood with her role as CEO of Tropic Skincare.
Conclusion
Susie Ma represents the new generation of entrepreneurs who lead with vision and heart. From selling homemade scrubs at a market stall to running a multi-million-pound ethical beauty empire, her journey embodies courage, creativity, and compassion.
Through Tropic Skincare, she continues to prove that sustainability and success can thrive together — inspiring a future where beauty, business, and benevolence go hand in hand.
