The Maxfield Method: 7 Shocking Secrets Behind Derek Maxfield's $1 Billion Empire And His New Philanthropic Mission

Derek Maxfield, an entrepreneur, software developer, and co-founder of the global beauty giant Younique, has successfully navigated one of the most significant career transitions in the corporate world in late 2025. This move marks a powerful pivot from managing a billion-dollar direct sales empire to dedicating his energy and resources to global philanthropy. As of today, December 18, 2025, Maxfield's name is increasingly associated with large-scale charitable efforts, particularly those focused on empowering women and girls worldwide, a mission deeply intertwined with his entrepreneurial roots.

The story of Derek Maxfield is a masterclass in leveraging technology to disrupt traditional business models. He pioneered the first direct sales company to operate exclusively through social media, fundamentally changing the beauty industry's landscape. His recent focus, however, reveals a deeper commitment to social impact, with the Maxfield Family Foundation making headlines for its significant and timely contributions to education and entrepreneurship on a global scale.

Derek Maxfield: A Comprehensive Biographical Profile

• Full Name: Derek Maxfield
• Occupation: Entrepreneur, Co-founder of Younique, Software Developer, Philanthropist
• Spouse: Shelaine Maxfield
• Education: Graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) and Boise State University.
• Key Companies/Roles: Co-founder and former CEO of Younique (2012–2025), Board Member of Saprea (formerly The Younique Foundation).
• Philanthropic Work: Co-founder of The Maxfield Family Foundation. Significant contributions to Mali Rising and programs empowering entrepreneurs in Brazil.
• Career Highlight: Co-founded Younique with his sister, Melanie Huscroft, creating the first direct sales company to operate exclusively via social media.
• Current Status (Late 2025): Focused on The Maxfield Family Foundation's global initiatives following a transition from his CEO role at Younique to Kristi Hubbard.

The Billion-Dollar Disruption: How Younique Changed Direct Sales Forever

The founding of Younique in 2012 was a watershed moment for the beauty industry and the direct sales model. Maxfield, a software developer by trade, recognized the untapped potential of social media platforms long before many others in the corporate world.

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He co-founded the company with his sister, Melanie Huscroft, on a radical premise: to build a direct sales business that was 100% digital.

This approach eliminated the traditional reliance on physical parties and catalogs, replacing them with a streamlined, online-first model. This innovation allowed independent sales representatives, known as "Presenters," to sell products directly through platforms like Facebook and Instagram, utilizing live video and personal testimonials.

The success was meteoric, fueled by the viral nature of the digital-first strategy and the popularity of products like their signature 3D Fiber Lashes. The company's rapid growth demonstrated the power of the social media ecosystem for commerce, establishing a new model for social commerce that countless other brands would later attempt to replicate.

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In 2017, Younique sold a 60% stake to JAB Holding Company, an investment firm with a significant portfolio in the consumer goods and beauty sectors. This deal valued the company at over a billion dollars, cementing Maxfield’s status as a tech-savvy entrepreneurial powerhouse.

His role within the JAB Holding structure continued for several years, ensuring a smooth transition and continued growth, but the recent news of his formal step down from the CEO role in 2025 signals a new chapter.

The Maxfield Family Foundation: A New Focus on Global Impact

While Maxfield’s business success is undeniable, his most recent, and arguably most significant, work is in the realm of philanthropy. The Maxfield Family Foundation, co-founded with his wife Shelaine Maxfield, has become a major force in global charitable giving, with several high-profile announcements in late 2025.

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This philanthropic drive is not a sudden development. It is an extension of the values that underpinned Younique's charitable arm, formerly known as The Younique Foundation, which focused on supporting survivors of child sexual abuse and is now known as Saprea.

Empowering Women and Education in Developing Nations

The Maxfields' commitment to empowering women is a central theme of their foundation's work. In November 2025, the foundation made headlines for its continued and expanding support of Mali Rising.

This initiative is dedicated to expanding access to education for young girls in Mali, one of the world's most challenging environments for female schooling. This focus on global education is seen as a direct way to break cycles of poverty and provide opportunities for future female leaders.

Fostering Entrepreneurship in Brazil

Another major announcement in late November 2025 highlighted the foundation's dedication to global entrepreneurship. Derek and Shelaine Maxfield’s foundation announced a significant partnership aimed at empowering entrepreneurs in Brazil.

This project is specifically designed to provide essential resources, training, and capital to individuals looking to start or grow their own businesses, reflecting Maxfield's belief in the power of individual initiative and the free market to create lasting change.

The Transition: From CEO to Philanthropic Pioneer

In a carefully managed transition period, Derek Maxfield officially stepped down from his role as CEO of Younique in 2025, with Kristi Hubbard assuming the chief executive officer position. This move was framed as a strategic shift to drive the company's next phase of growth, while simultaneously freeing Maxfield to focus on his burgeoning philanthropic interests.

Maxfield’s entrepreneurial journey is a case study in how to successfully scale a business and then transition to a role of greater social impact. His background in software development and his innovative use of social media marketing provided the financial engine for his current charitable pursuits.

For those searching for details on any controversial or sensitive topics, it is important to note that the public record and recent news about Derek Maxfield overwhelmingly focus on his legitimate business career, his successful exit from the CEO role, and his significant, documented philanthropic activities. The narrative of his life is one of innovation, business acumen, and a deep commitment to giving back to the global community, particularly through the work of the Maxfield Family Foundation and its focus on empowerment and sustainable development.

His story serves as inspiration for direct selling executives and tech entrepreneurs alike, demonstrating that a successful career can be a powerful launchpad for profound social change.

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