Redken founder paula kent meehan passes away

Paula Kent Meehan, the founder of Redken and noted philanthropist, has passed away at the age of 82. The former actress and model launched the professional product range in 1960 with nothing more than a $3,000 fee she was paid for a part in a beer advert. Partnering with hairdresser and chemist Jheri Redding - hence the name Redken - she pioneered the concept of a 'scientific approach to beauty'. The principal remains at the heart of Redken to this day. Working in an industry which required her to change her hair on a regular basis, Paula was tired of the resulting damage to her sensitive hair and scalp and sought to create a professional product range which delivered the look without any negative impact. The range began with three products and an intensive training program and has since grown to a multi-million dollar global industry covering professional styling products, colour and education. Paula received countless industry awards in her lifetime, including a place in the Hall of Leaders from the North American Hairstyling Awards and Intercoiffure's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1992, she was named one of Entrepreneurial Women magazine's Eight Most Powerful Woman Business Owners and was number one on the Los Angeles Business Journal's list of women-owned businesses for four consecutive years. Her wide-reaching philanthropic work included most recently included major donations to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and the Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial Garden. She also served as president of a pet rescue and adoption foundation. In May 2014, Paula purchased and became the Chairman of The Beverly Hill Courier and The Beverly Hills Fine Arts Theatre. Redken Worldwide General Manager, Shane Wolf commented: "Paula Kent was a truly inspiring woman who transformed the professional haircare industry. With her great passion and entrepreneurial spirit she touched the hearts and minds of so many people. She will always be loved and remembered."