In the ever-evolving world of entrepreneurship, Brooke Shields stands out as a beacon of resilience, vision, and inspiration. At 59, Shields has embarked on a new chapter as CEO and founder of Commence, a hair care brand for women over 40. Shields’ five-decade career has been nothing short of remarkable. From her early days in the limelight as a child star to her acclaimed acting career and now, in her role as a pioneering entrepreneur, Shields has continually reinvented herself.
Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “I’m 59 and have been working for over 50 years—and I’ve been busy this whole time! I have decades’ worth of energy and life experience that are feeding my new chapter as CEO of Commence.” For Shields, the transition to becoming the CEO of Commence was driven by a profound desire to create something meaningful for women like her. “In this new chapter, I really wanted to create something that draws on my experience as a woman of 59, something that’s actually of use to other women like me,” she explains.
This career evolution from someone who essentially executes the vision of other people to someone who leads a team based on her own vision has been full of a lot of learning … and a not-insignificant amount of blind faith.” Hair damage has long been a concern for women of all ages, but after age 40, biological changes significantly impact hair health. Traditional hair care solutions often focus on surface level repair, leaving deeper issues unaddressed. Commence, however, aims to create harmony between the scalp and hair strands, nourishing from root to tip.
Shields and her team have developed a line of hair care products that harness the power of sulfur-rich peptides, plant-derived stem cells, and coconut nutrients in a proprietary blend. This innovative formula, known as the Commence Complex, is designed to support healthy hair growth and scalp health, offering women a holistic approach to hair care. The Commence collection includes three essential products designed to fortify and nourish the scalp and hair: a non-aerosol 2-in-1 Instant Shampoo; 3-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner to hydrate, nourish, and protect strands; and a thickening Root Serum to calm stressed scalps while increasing hair density and thickness from the root to the tip. Shields’ inspiration comes from the community she has cultivated over the past five years.
With an online following of 2 million women over the age of 40, she has fostered a space for shared experiences and mutual support. “We speak daily. We’re united—as we’re women who are all on the precipice of ‘what’s next?’ I truly have listened and learned so much from my community, and that is where I find both inspiration and motivation,” she shares.
Shields’ dedication to listening and doing the work quietly, considerately, and tenaciously is evident in every aspect of her leadership. “It’s been all about building the right teams around me to give me the confidence to launch Commence,” she notes. As CEO, she leads with vision and relies on a team of industry-leading experts to fill in the gaps and help fulfill that vision. “And of course, there comes a point when you just have to take the leap,” she reflects.
As she continues to lead Commence, Shields remains committed to empowering women and creating products that genuinely serve their needs. Her story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent oneself and pursue new dreams.
