Navigating Career Setbacks with Grace and Purpose: Insights from Kecia Steelman

Experiencing rejection or being overlooked for a position is a common thread in the tapestry of career journeys. Key to responding to such challenges is the approach we choose to take—whether to harbor bitterness or to capitalize on the experience for personal growth. According to Kecia Steelman, CEO of Ulta Beauty, the decision lies in our hands.

Steelman, who ascended to the top position at Ulta in January 2025 after 11 years with the company, emphasizes the importance of resilience and readiness. “There have been times in all of our careers where we’ve been passed up or didn’t get that next role when we felt prepared for it,” she shared during the Fortune Most Powerful Women Conference in Washington, D.C. “You can either choose to be bitter or you can choose to be better.”

Kecia Steelman’s Journey to Leadership

Before becoming Ulta’s CEO, Steelman embarked on her career as an assistant store manager at Target in 1993, gradually climbing the ranks to senior management roles at both Home Depot and Family Dollar. Her preparation for the CEO role involved gaining insights from her predecessor, Dave Kimball.

“I learned as much as I could to prepare myself for the next role, and that really helped me hit the ground running,” Steelman explained. “Instead of leaving out of bitterness for not getting promoted earlier, I focused on becoming better at my job and seizing the opportunity to grow.”

Challenges and Triumphs at Ulta Beauty

Since taking the helm, Steelman has actively enacted Ulta’s turnaround plan, which includes integrating advanced technology to enhance customer experiences and cultivating a loyal customer base. Under her leadership, the company has managed to boost its stock value by 50% year-on-year, even amidst broader economic uncertainties.

“This is the best job ever,” Steelman noted. “Our purpose is to make people feel great about themselves, and I can’t think of a more fulfilling role.”

However, her journey hasn’t been without hurdles. In August 2025, Ulta decided to end its partnership with Target due to issues such as shoplifting and understaffing. Steelman framed this decision as a mutual agreement and part of the natural progression of business.

“We had to get our swagger back,” she remarked regarding Ulta’s comeback efforts. “I felt like we had lost a bit of our confidence, but that’s returned now.”

Conclusion

Kecia Steelman’s career trajectory serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of resilience and adaptation in the face of challenges. Her journey highlights the importance of preparing oneself for opportunities, maintaining a positive outlook, and focusing on personal development. In your own career path, embrace setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, making the choice to become better, not bitter, in the process.

Related Insights and Articles

• Tony Cuccio: From selling beauty products on Venice Beach to building a $2 billion empire with gel nails.
• Kecia Steelman’s Philosophy: “My job is to help make people feel really good about themselves.”
• End of the Ulta-Target Partnership: Exploring the challenges that led to the split and what it means for both companies.