On this episode of Work Made Human, hosts Nichole Méndez and Jill Veglahn sit down with Kate Assaraf, founder of Dip, to explore what happens when a beauty entrepreneur discovers that one of the industry's biggest sustainability promises isn't what it seems.
Kate shares how uncovering the truth about plastic recycling changed the course of her career and inspired her to build a company that puts environmental responsibility ahead of convention. What began as a mission to rethink hair care quickly became a broader movement focused on conscious consumption, transparency, and challenging the systems that drive unnecessary waste.
Together, they discuss why Dip describes itself as “environmentalists first, parading around as beauty,” the hidden health impacts of plastics, and how rejecting planned obsolescence has become part of the brand’s DNA. Kate also reflects on the two women who shaped her worldview, the importance of creating an inclusive community, and the values that guide her leadership as she grows the company.