Latest news with #Mahwah
Forbes
25-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
David Chung, The Visionary Behind Farmacy, The Rootist And ILabs, Talks Beauty Tariffs—And His Boldest Venture Yet
David Chung, founder and CEO of iLabs, headquartered in Mahwah, NJ, with global operations. When Modere, a 23-year-old health and wellness MLM, abruptly shut down on April 11, 2025, it left thousands of direct-selling distributors without income or warning. It reignited age-old questions about the viability of multi-level marketing models, as the Utah company joined a domino line of similar companies—like Beautycounter, Seint, Rodan + Fields, Epicure,—that have recently shuttered or quick-pivoted to affiliate marketing. Despite the fallout, serial beauty entrepreneur David Chung remains steadfast in his vision for Amare Global, a mental wellness and supplements company he acquired last year for an estimated $60 to $80 million. 'I wasn't actively looking to buy another company, but ... I looked into it and saw a lot of potential, despite the challenges.' His goal: to redefine what direct selling can be in beauty and wellness. 'I'm always hungry to grow and make a difference—not just financially, but by bringing value to society,' says Chung, a philanthropist and advocate for Korean-American and AAPI communities. Known for creating beloved brands like Farmacy Beauty and The Rootist, Chung is no stranger to innovation. With Amare Global, he sees an opportunity to essentially rebrand the MLM model—offering transparency, science-backed products, and a more sustainable path to income. 'My journey as an entrepreneur started from humble beginnings,' he reflects. David grew up in South Korea before moving to Queens, NY at age 11. His mother, Judith, opened a small cosmetics shop, which expanded into the Cici Korean Shopping Center. Chung witnessed how his mother's brick-and-mortar helped shape and build Koreatown in New York City. In honor of her, Chung created the Judith Ehm Foundation to support public charities that help Korean-Americans, Asian-Americans, and the broader community with education, social services, and healthcare. David Chung's mother, Judith Chungwon Ehm Chung, was one of the pioneers of Korea Town on 32nd Street in New York City, and a central figure in the Korean American community for decades. 'She passed on a mindset of perseverance and grit that still drives me today,' he says. By the age of 25, Chung opened his first business, Nova Imports, and became a distributor for luxury Italian designer Emilio Pucci. He soon expanded into beauty, launching retail stores like Mona's in New Jersey and Cosmetic World in California, which sold luxury skincare brands like Dior and La Prairie. In 2003, he created his own high-tech skincare line, 3LAB, which became a top seller at Barneys New York. To enhance product innovation, Chung founded Englewood Lab, a New Jersey-based R&D and manufacturing hub that served over 100 global brands, including L'Oréal and Clinique. In 2018, he sold a majority stake in Englewood Lab for $53.7 million, shifting focus to Farmacy, a clean skincare brand he had founded in 2015. Farmacy pioneered a 'farm to face' philosophy, using responsibly sourced ingredients and bypassing raw material vendors to work directly with farmers. 'We had to remove 80% of the ingredients and replace them with cleaner, natural materials,' Chung said. 'We launched with Sephora and never looked back. And it ended with a beautiful exit.' The brand's star product, Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm, became a cult favorite. The company's rapid rise led to a reported $350 million acquisition by Procter & Gamble in 2021, according to the Korea Economic Daily. Building on that success, Chung in 2023 launched iLabs, a vertically integrated product development and manufacturing center in NJ serving both indie and global beauty brands. It offers R&D, formulations, and other turnkey contract manufacturing services for skin, body and hair brands. Its sprawling, state-of-the-art headquarters in New Jersey, employs his team of chemists, scientists and engineers. He later added Morae Packaging to offer sustainable packaging solutions. He then founded The Beauty Bank to incubate branding, digital marketing, PR and e-commerce operations for its brands. Today, Chung oversees nearly 1,000 employees across his portfolio of companies. The Beauty Bank developed branding for The Rootist, a haircare line focused on scalp health and sustainability, which launched exclusively with Sephora North America in February 2024. Its ultra-concentrated formulas minimize water and packaging waste. 'Most shampoos and conditioners contain 70 to 90% water,' Chung explains. 'That means unnecessarily large bottles and excessive plastic waste are moving around the world to landfills.' Chung's latest venture—his acquisition of Amare Global in January 2024—aims to leave a larger legacy. Founded in 2016 by Hiep Tran, Amare offers wellness supplements rooted in gut-brain axis research, a field that links gut health to emotional wellbeing. The challenge? Amare operates through a direct-sales model. But Chung is undeterred. He believes Amare represents the future of wellness—and of direct selling itself. Here he discusses how his vertically integrated iLabs ecosystem paired with his philosophy of grit and giving back is the perfect formula for rebranding and restructuring Amare. Before we discuss your latest venture, let's talk tariffs. How will the tariffs affect cosmetic manufacturing and packaging, and iLabs in particular? China has been hit harder than any other country, and if these tariffs stick around or get worse, it could make it nearly impossible for us to continue sourcing materials from there. That's especially challenging when it comes to packaging materials for beauty products, which is where we're feeling the most impact. This shift is opening new opportunities for iLabs. Luckily iLABs has manufacturing in both the U.S. and South Korea, which is a low tariff jurisdiction. Some of the skincare brands that used to manufacture abroad and ship to the U.S. are now reaching out to us to produce here instead. From a formula perspective, our R&D expertise allows us to help our customers switch out raw materials from China to low-tariff countries. We also have our own packaging company, Morae Packaging, so we directly manufacture glass and plastic components which avoids tariff uncertainty from China. So, while the situation isn't easy, it's also pushing us—and our partners—to be more agile. It gives iLabs the opportunity to step up as a go-to partner for brands that want to manufacture closer to home, move faster, and reduce risk in a changing global market. Let's move on to Amare. In a climate where MLMs are not welcomed with open arms, why did you choose to acquire Amare? I wasn't actively looking to buy another company, but one of my employees introduced me to Amare, which was facing a financial crisis. I looked into it and saw a lot of potential, despite the challenges. The company was mismanaged—financially and strategically—and had made some costly mistakes with a previous acquisition. But I knew that with my resources, experience, and the companies I've built, like iLabs and Rootist, I could turn it around. Within months of acquisition, we paid off debt and restructured operations. What's next for Amare? In 2025, Amare is on track for over $200 million in net sales. Our vision is to grow that to $1 billion within the next three years. We've already implemented key changes: a new management team and centralized operations for materials and manufacturing. Sales and marketing remain in Utah, but we're building operations in New Jersey. This isn't just another direct selling company. We're reshaping the future of direct sales into what we call Next Generation Marketing. Traditional MLM models are outdated. People learn about products on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and live shopping platforms. Our sellers should be able to educate, promote, and earn income in real time and from a direct website or social platform. Its future is affiliate-driven and transparent. How does Amare address mental wellness issues? This category is broad and urgent—people are dealing with stress, sleep disorders, focus issues, and more. Amare's products, like Happy Juice and our cognitive support supplements, are grounded in clinical research and proven efficacy. But this business isn't just about supplements; it's a platform for total self-care: focus, sleep, emotional balance, and community. We currently have over 40,000 brand partners and around 50,000 active consumers. My goal is to equip our partners with the right tools—especially digital and video content—so they can educate others and share products authentically. Not every product is right for every person. Transparency matters. What's your long-term vision for Amare? There will be no private equity investors. I want to build something special without outsiders interfering with their quest for fast profits. I don't need fast profits because I have built a sustainable ecosystem of beauty R&D and manufacturing operations. I tell my team: don't obsess over profit. Focus on relationships, service, and reputation. For example, if an iLabs manufacturing client can't pay full on time, we still deliver our best service. That's how you build long-term trust and a premium brand. This is where many private equity firms fail. They look only at numbers and forget the people who made the business successful. That's how great companies like Beautycounter and Rodan+Fields have been damaged by private equity. The Rootist Densify Collection You are already known for Farmacy and The Rootist that have become bestsellers in Ulta and Sephora. Why take this risky move and acquire Amare? Farmacy was born out of a vision for clean beauty. It aligned with an emerging generation of consumers who cared about sustainable ingredients, and the planet. But Amare gives me something deeper—a chance to build a business while helping others. The Rootist was born from a similar idea—solving the root cause of hair issues with smart, waterless formulations. Why ship big bottles that are 80% water? We created compact, high-tech products and packages that actually deliver results. It's innovation with intention. You've been a leader for Asian-American communities long before the pandemic spurred the AAPI empowerment movement. After my mother passed away two years ago, I started Judith Ehm Foundation in her honor. It supports Korean-American communities and nonprofits globally. Amare also has its own nonprofit arm, Caring Hands, helping communities in Mexico, the Philippines, and beyond. Giving back is part of our DNA. With Amare now part of your portfolio of companies, what is next for you as a serial beauty entrepreneur? Keep evolving, keep innovating, and keep leading with purpose. I believe the next generation of beauty and wellness will be defined by authenticity, mental strength, and meaningful impact. This is my dream. This is my legacy. And I'm just getting started.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mahwah's landmark Sheraton Hotel demolished after nearly four decades
The Brief The Sheraton Crossroads Hotel, which opened in 1986 and closed in 2023, was imploded in a planned demolition. The 22-story hotel was the tallest building in Mahwah, New Jersey before it was brought down. A large warehouse is being considered to take the hotel's place. MAHWAH - The iconic 22-story Sheraton Crossroads Hotel in Mahwah was brought down in a controlled demolition early Saturday morning. What we know The Sheraton Crossroads Hotel, which opened in 1986 and closed in 2023, was imploded in a planned demolition on May 10. Several Mahwah Township agencies were involved in the demolition, Mahwah's Township Engineer Michael Kelly explained at a Township Council meeting. New Jersey's Department of Labor oversees the handling of explosives in the state. The building, once the tallest in Mahwah, stood for nearly 40 years, and was the site of weddings, conferences and countless family celebrations. Hundreds of residents gathered to honor the hotel, enjoying fresh breakfast as they settled to watch the building collapse from a safe distance. "It took four years to build and it took 30 seconds to come down," said Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki. "That was the coolest thing I ever saw." "It was bittersweet, many memories there… on to the next thing," said Alicia, a local resident. What's next While there is no confirmed plan for what will take the hotel's place, officials say that a large warehouse is being considered. The site's proximity to major roadways – including I-287 and Route 17 – makes it ideal for commercial redevelopment. "Developers are in the process of negotiations with hopefully a nice Fortune 500 company," said Mayor Wysocki. Even if a warehouse rises in its place, locals say memories of the Sheraton's long-standing presence will live on. The Source This article includes reporting from FOX 5 NY's Robert Moses, as well as the minutes of a Mahwah Township Council meeting.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Landmark NJ Sheraton Crossroads hotel is destroyed in spectacular controlled implosion
Video captured the dramatic moment the Sheraton Crossroads Hotel in New Jersey crumbled to the ground in a controlled demolition Saturday morning, marking an end to the 36-year chapter of the Route 17 landmark. Hundreds of onlookers gathered along the highway in Mahwah to witness the 22-story glass and steel structure nestled on the New Jersey and New York border fall, North Jersey reported. The demolition, carried out just before 7:30 a.m., sent booming echoes through several parts of New Jersey — with residents in Midland Park, Montebello, Wyckoff, and Waldwick reporting they heard the loud blast, the outlet said. The massive complex was demolished just 15 seconds after detonation, and was met by cheers from the crowd, video showed. The Sheraton Crossroads opened in October 1987 and was once a popular hotel and wedding venue known for its shimmering glass facade and mountain views. The space shuttered permanently in December 2023, and developers originally said they were planning to put two warehouses on the site. However, Patch reports that the owners are now considering other options. The implosion, which drew scores of people with cameras set up to catch a glimpse, was coordinated by several agencies, including the state Department of Labor, according to the outlet. 'That was wild,' Sarah Warren from West Milford told the Record just after the demolition. 'It's crazy to be gone. I used to drive by it all the time,' she said. 'That's the coolest thing I've ever seen,' another onlooker, Nick Morales, said. The Sheraton Crossroads had floors reserved for offices, and developers planned on eventually opening up several more nearby office buildings. But, the vision was a 'gamble,' developer James D'Agostino told the Record. Additional office buildings were never built, and the hotel struggled to find tenants, D'Agostino said.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
NJ's Sheraton Crossroads Hotel comes crumbling down in controlled implosion
The Sheraton Crossroads Hotel crumbled in a controlled implosion in New Jersey on Saturday, an event that drew scores of people hoping to say their final farewells to the decades-old building. Residents as far away as Midland Park and Montebello, Wyckoff and Waldwick, reported hearing the early-morning blasts, coordinated by the fire, police, ambulance and building departments in Mahwah. 'This is a serious construction event that involves the implosion of a multi-story building,' they warned. 'The site and the event are regulated by the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor, a very experienced implosion contractor, the general contractor for the developer, the New Jersey State Police, the Mahwah Police and other Township personnel.' By 7:45 a.m., the 22-story building — a New Jersey landmark since 1987 and a once popular wedding venue known for its rows and rows of glass windows — was no more. Located along Route 17 near the New Jersey/New York border, the hotel closed its doors in December 2023 after 36 years. Hundreds of people gathered along the highway to watch the building fall, and even more people tuned in for the livestream. 'That was wild,' Sarah Warren from West Milford told the North Bergen Record. 'It's crazy to be gone. I used to drive by it all the time.' Another wrote on Facebook: 'When I was little I called it the Superman building and thought he lived there.' The owners' of the site previously said they planned to build two warehouses on the property.
CBS News
10-05-2025
- CBS News
Watch Live: Sheraton Crossroads Hotel implosion in Mahwah, New Jersey
The Sheraton Crossroads Hotel in Mahwah, New Jersey will come crashing down in a controlled implosion today. The demolition of the iconic glass and steel building on International Boulevard off NJ-17 and I-287 is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Saturday. You can watch it live on CBS News New York in the player above. Where to watch the Sheraton Crossroads Hotel implosion? Mahwah Township says the Sheraton hotel site is closed to all non-credentialed personnel. So you should not attempt to enter the site from Route 17, Mountainside Avenue, the Jaguar Land Rover exit, via the Ramapo River or any other direction to see the implosion. Keep in mind, the hotel is on private property and the demolition is not sponsored by the town. Security and/or police will be on site to remove trespassers, officials say. The township says there are several other locations with at least a partial view of the Sheraton, but they are closed to vehicles. So walking may be the only option. Remember, you can livestream the implosion on CBS News New York. Highway and road closures for Mahwah hotel implosion There are road closures surrounding the Sheraton Crossroads Hotel site, and they will remain in place until the all clear is given after the implosion, officials say. According to the township: Access to Stag Hill Road will be closed to non-residential vehicular traffic at the Mountainside Ave intersection. All non-residential vehicles will be sent back onto Route 17 South. Geiger Road will be closed to non-residential vehicular traffic. First Street, Meadow Avenue at State Street, Long Avenue, Johnson Avenue, Catherine Avenue, Brook Street, Strysko Avenue, Sustack Place and South Street will be closed to non-residential vehicular traffic. New Jersey State Police will be patrolling the local highways from 5:00 a.m. until after the "all clear" is given post-implosion. No one will be permitted to park on the shoulders of Routes 17 or 287 prior to the implosion (slated for approximately 7:30 am). They will ask anyone parked to move. If there is non-compliance, they will tow away vehicles. Anywhere from 15 to several minutes prior to the implosion, the State Police will slow and then completely stop all highway vehicular traffic in the vicinity of the Sheraton site. The traffic will be stopped until the "all clear" signal is given from the implosion director. This could be anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes after the event. Mahwah road closure maps Numerous roads are closed in Mahwah, New Jersey for the demolition of the Sheraton Crossroads Hotel. Mahwah Township Numerous roads are closed in Mahwah, New Jersey for the demolition of the Sheraton Crossroads Hotel. Mahwah Township
