We are saddened to report that Matrix founder Sydell L. Miller passed away peacefully aged 86 surrounded by her loved ones on February 25th, 2024. Sydell was known as a groundbreaking entrepreneur, a loving family matriarch, a generous philanthropist, and a pursuer of beauty in all its forms.
Sydell was born in 1937 in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Evelyne and Jack H. Lubin. From an early age, she valued family and friendships that she would carry with her throughout her life.
Her world changed the moment she first sat in Arnold Miller’s salon chair. He asked Sydell out on a date. She said, “which night,” and he replied, “all of them.” At the end of their first week together, Arnie asked her to marry him. This was the start of a love story for the ages, and a profound partnership built on mutual admiration, equal support, and shared goals. The couple wed at Park Synagogue in 1958.
Sydell began her career in the salon, first introducing accessories to the reception area. Next, she opened Tops & Bottoms, a high-fashion womenswear boutique, in the retail space above the salon. The store was credited with bringing the trend-setting concept of “separates” to Cleveland, and was known as the place where the city’s most stylish women shopped.
In 1970, Arnie and Sydell formed a new venture, Ardell—a combination of both their names—and invented the world’s first ready-to-apply eyelash, followed by the first invisible-banded eyelash strips, single-handedly creating the modern day eyelash industry. They grew Ardell into a globally-recognized brand. Subsequently, they developed Hennalucent, a first-of-its-kind natural henna product for hair, eventually expanding into shampoos and conditioners.
In 1980, the Millers formed Matrix Essentials Inc., a line of professional haircare products, only sold to exclusive beauty distributors for salons and their clients. The company launched with hair color, a permanent wave, and the Matrix Essentials line. The brand then added Vavoom and System Biolage to its esteemed product lines. Matrix grew to employ thousands of Clevelanders at its headquarters in Solon, Ohio, in addition to a national network of hairdressers and educators. The couple was immensely proud to have built the business in their hometown.
Sydell believed that “beauty does not stop at the hairline,” pushing the company to broaden into skincare, cosmetics, bodycare, and suncare. She developed “Total Image Consulting” a philosophy that revolutionized the industry by creating the concept of the day spa, encouraging local salons to include additional beauty services.
Arnie and Sydell were true co-founders and business partners. While Arnie was the big dreamer, Sydell was the dream-maker—running the company’s operations with a diverse skill-set from marketing and creative to HR and accounting. Arnie was the leader with the larger-than-life personality, while Sydell was the doer, the listener, and the advocate. She was an early champion of feminist causes, supporting women in the workforce long before it was popular. She was widely sought after for her counsel, integrity, and guidance.
After Arnie’s death in 1992, Sydell was a force to be reckoned with, taking the helm at Matrix as President and CEO, guiding the company to more than double its annual sales, before eventually selling to Bristol Meyers Squibb in 1994. Today, Matrix is a division of L’Oreal USA. In 1996, she retired as Chairman of the Board. But, she didn’t stop there. She went on to become Chairman of the Board at Aquage, a professional haircare line co-founded by her brother, Dennis Lubin, as well as turning her attention to extensive philanthropic work.
Sydell exhibited a commitment to service and social causes throughout her life. After her retirement, she dedicated her days to both her family and to the spirit of “Tikkun Olam,” the Hebrew concept of repairing the world. She was a passionate crusader of causes ranging from healthcare to women’s mentorship, Jewish endeavors both locally and in Israel, and support for the arts.
In 2005, Sydell and her children donated the funds to establish the Cleveland Clinic’s Sydell & Arnold Miller Family Pavilion, home to the Sydell & Arnold Miller Heart and Vascular Institute. Sydell served as a member of the Cleveland Clinic’s Board of Trustees, as well as its Florida Leadership Council. Sydell was active in bringing the Cleveland Clinic’s superlative care to West Palm Beach, where she is admired for her generous philanthropic initiatives and community outreach. In 2011, she was honored at the Cleveland Clinic’s Florida Ball with the inaugural Sydell Miller Award for her service. Additionally, the Miller family’s philanthropy led to the dedication and naming of the Park Synagogue East Campus and the Gathering Place East Campus, as well as Hawken School’s Sydell & Arnold Miller Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies to inspire the next generation.
Sydell received countless accolades and awards. She was proudly the first non-hairdresser elected to the National Cosmetology Association’s Hall of Fame, named one of the “Top 50 Women Business Owners in America” by Working Women Magazine, and received the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation Legacy Award, creating countless scholarships for cosmetology students. She served on the boards of the American Cancer Society of Palm Beach, BBSI, the Cleveland Clinic, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Norton Museum of Art, Palm Beach Civic Association, and Palm Beach County United Way.
True to her passion for beauty, Sydell was an exceptional entertainer, a graceful hostess, and a fashion icon. She epitomized elegance—both through her sophisticated style and her nurturing essence.
Despite Sydell’s unparalleled career accomplishments, her most cherished roles were those of friend, sister, mother to her and Arnie’s two daughters, Lauren Spilman and Stacie Halpern, and “Nana” to her six grandchildren. Over the course of her life, and especially during her later years, she devoted herself to the duties of family matriarch. She loved nothing more than criss-crossing the country to show up for important moments in her grandchildren’s lives, be it sports games, art shows, or graduations. She cultivated strong individual relationships with each of her grandchildren, enjoying long conversations where she offered wisdom on the subjects of love and life, and created many lasting memories. She was a fervent tackler of ambitious puzzles, and enthusiastically wore the crown of “Ice Cream Queen.” Her fierce love for her family will be her defining legacy, the work of which will live on through each of them.
Also during her later years, Sydell struck up a friendship that grew to a deep love and companionship with Philip Zieky, who affectionately became known to Sydell’s grandchildren as “Poppy.” They were fortunate to enjoy many happy years together until Phil’s passing in 2013.
Sydell was preceded by her beloved husband of 30 years, Arnold Miller. She is survived by her children, Lauren Spilman (Steve), Stacie Halpern (Jeff), and her brother, Dennis Lubin (Barbara). She is also survived by her loving grandchildren, Alana and Max Spilman, Lindsey and Austin Halpern, Jarrod (Ana) and Evan Lubin, as well as her great-grandchildren, Alejandra, Victoria, and Valentina. Additionally, Sydell felt forever bonded with the Zieky family, and continued a grandmotherly relationship with Phil’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Sydell also has a robust network of extended family, close friends, and colleagues who will feel her absence and continue to shine her light.
Family requests no food or flowers, we kindly suggest instead contributions be made to the following organizations in Sydell’s memory, carrying on her legacy.
- Cleveland Clinic Heart | give.ccf.org/heart or Mail Contributions: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, PO Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193-1655
- Park Synagogue Sydell & Arnold Miller Family Campus | https://www.parksynagogue.org/donate or Mail Contributions to Park Synagogue, 27500 Shaker Boulevard, Pepper Pike, OH 44124