Forty Under 40: Louise Ulukaya

WHY SHE’S A TOP 40
Louise is pioneering sustainable, chic and affordable children's fashion with Mon Coeur.

Photo courtesy Louise Ulukaya

Louise Ulukaya, 36

CEO of Mon Coeur

"Imagination meets ingenuity in every thread," says Louise Ulukaya, the pioneering CEO of Mon Coeur, a vibrant and sustainable children's clothing label. From her early aspirations as a ballerina to her accomplished tenure in the hospitality industry, Ulukaya’s journey to founding Mon Coeur was anything but conventional.

The birth of her son sparked a shift in her path. "I struggled to find clothes that respected the planet without compromising comfort for my baby. That's how Mon Coeur was conceived," she recalls. Dedicated to making kinder clothing for earth-loving kids, Mon Coeur combines Ulukaya's passion for sustainability with her savvy business acumen.

Ulukaya radiates joy when talking about the journey and the ethos of Mon Coeur. "I wanted to create a brand that cared for the environment, respected the people making it, and that looked and felt good while being accessible for all. Mon Coeur was born to imagine a world where the planet comes first."

"We're dedicated to making kids clothing that lasts, so that our planet does, too."

Despite her accolades and successful businesses, Ulukaya's motivation is remarkably humble and poignant. "If I can make a difference in someone's life, from a young kid wanting to become a chef, to our children wearing their hearts on their sleeves, then I am a happy woman and mother."