Inside Vida Glow: A Conversation with Founder Anna Lahey

In 2012, a chance discovery in Japan introduced Anna Lahey to an ingredient that would ultimately reshape the beauty landscape. At the time, collagen was far from the global phenomenon it is today — but what began as personal curiosity quickly evolved into a science-backed mission to redefine beauty from within.

Fast forward to today, Vida Glow is recognised worldwide for pioneering clinically validated marine collagen and leading the ingestible beauty movement. Here, Anna shares the inspiration behind the brand, the lessons learned along the way, and the values that continue to drive Vida Glow’s growth globally.

What inspired you to start Vida Glow?

I discovered marine collagen whilst travelling in Japan in 2012. What struck me was how integrated it was into everyday life — I was even asked if I wanted my soup infused with collagen, and there were collagen waters at the gym. I had never heard of collagen before; I genuinely thought it was Botox.

As someone who has always loved beauty, I had tried countless hair, skin and nail products, yet never anything like this — a powder that dissolved clear into water. At the time, I was experiencing significant hair loss and decided to try collagen supplementation after learning more about its benefits.

The visible results were undeniable. Within weeks, my hair shedding reduced, my nails were stronger, and I noticed a real plumpness in my skin. I became fascinated by why this ingredient wasn’t more widely known.

Collagen certainly wasn’t the beauty buzzword it is today. I immersed myself in the science behind marine collagen and found strong clinical evidence supporting what I had experienced firsthand. I recognised a clear opportunity for ingestible beauty that delivered real, substantiated results — and that’s how Vida Glow began. 

What is the most rewarding aspect of starting your own business?

Watching Vida Glow evolve from an idea in 2013 to the global number one marine collagen brand has been incredibly rewarding. We began with one product — our original marine collagen — and today we sell one every four seconds globally, with over 18 million units sold.

Expanding across Australia, China, the UK and Europe has been a proud milestone, but equally meaningful has been building the team behind the brand. Vida Glow is a 92% female-operated business, with women leading across the organisation. Creating that culture has been one of my greatest achievements.

Most importantly, it’s the impact on our customers. The repeat purchases, the glowing reviews, the before-and-afters — those moments never lose their magic. 

What is an obstacle that became a success in your journey?

When Vida Glow launched, ingestible beauty was still a new and misunderstood category. There was scepticism around collagen — how it worked and whether it truly delivered visible results.

Rather than avoid those conversations, we leaned into education and clinical validation. We prioritised independent trials and transparent communication from day one. That commitment to science and substantiation helped build trust — not just in our brand, but in the category itself.

That early challenge ultimately strengthened us and positioned Vida Glow as a credible leader in ingestible beauty. 

What was something you wish you knew before starting a business?

I wish I had known that setbacks are part of the journey. For every milestone, there are many lessons behind the scenes.

Understanding that earlier would have given me the confidence to take bigger risks sooner. Growth requires resilience, and resilience comes from experience. 

What makes your brand stand out in such a crowded market?

We operate outside of the beauty trend cycle. For us, innovation isn’t about chasing hype — it’s about solving real concerns with effective, clinically studied ingredients.

We start with the consumer, identify the root physiological cause of a concern, and formulate with actives that target those mechanisms precisely. Every product is supported by independent clinical trials to ensure genuine efficacy.

In a category often saturated with misinformation, our commitment to science, education and visible results truly sets us apart. 

How can people be more supportive of female-owned businesses?

It’s about being more supportive of women in business as a whole — ensuring equal pay, proper maternity support and genuine pathways into leadership.

At Vida Glow, we’re proud to be a predominantly female-operated business. Creating opportunities for women to grow and lead is something I care deeply about. Progress has been made, but there’s still more to do. 

Have you drawn professional inspiration from other women? Can you tell us about someone who has inspired you both personally and professionally?

Personally, my greatest inspiration is my mother. She migrated to Australia from Brazil without support, working night shifts to create opportunities for her daughters. Her resilience and determination shaped my outlook on work and life.

Professionally, I’ve been fortunate to be supported by incredible women throughout my career, particularly in the early stages of building Vida Glow. Their honesty and belief in me made a lasting impact.

I’ve also long admired Oprah Winfrey for her strength, influence and commitment to empowering others. 

If you could have lunch with four women from any time in history, who would they be and why?

Oprah Winfrey, for her cultural impact and leadership.

Her Majesty The Queen, for her composure and unwavering sense of duty across decades of global change.

Maya Angelou, for her extraordinary voice and influence.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, for her lifelong dedication to gender equality and civil rights. 

If you could work in any other industry, what industry would that be and why?

It would be quite a shift, but I would love to work with horses. Since moving to Marbella, I’ve taken up riding and find it incredibly grounding. The trust and connection between horse and rider is something I deeply value.

Expanding Her Beauty Empire: From Vida Glow to TYPEBEA

Beyond building Vida Glow into a global leader, Anna Lahey has continued to expand her vision within the beauty space. She recently co-founded TYPEBEA alongside global artist Rita Ora — a performance-driven haircare brand focused on clinically backed formulas that support scalp health and stronger, fuller-looking hair. The venture reflects Anna’s ongoing commitment to science-led innovation, this time applied topically to complement beauty from within.

The Takeaway: Innovation Backed by Science

From discovering marine collagen in Japan to leading two forward-thinking beauty brands, Anna’s journey is defined by curiosity, resilience and an unwavering commitment to evidence-based results. Her story is a reminder that true innovation doesn’t come from chasing trends — it comes from identifying real needs, backing them with science and building brands with purpose. As both Vida Glow and TYPEBEA continue to grow globally, one thing remains clear: the future of beauty is thoughtful, substantiated and driven by founders who dare to think differently.

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