What obstacles did Estee face?

Estée Lauder faced significant obstacles in establishing her business due to societal expectations. She had to delay her dreams because the prevailing attitude at the time dictated that women should marry and support their husbands instead of starting their own businesses. Her family and friends tried to dissuade her from pursuing her business on a daily basis, reflecting the challenging environment for women entrepreneurs during that era 1.

Additionally, Estée Lauder turned what many saw as a disadvantage—starting her business later in life—into an advantage. She argued that being older allowed for greater focus and less susceptibility to distractions, which she believed contributed to her eventual success. Despite the common belief that youth was necessary for entrepreneurial success, she demonstrated that maturity could be an asset in the business world 2.