Does money really buy happiness? Often, this question is asked when people from socially acceptable and enviable backgrounds decide to change their lives. This question was brought up after former e.l.f. Cosmetics co-founder Scott-Vincent Borba resigned from his role and pursued a new purpose through the priesthood. 

He stated that, as a child, his mother commented on the possibility of him becoming a priest. At a party, he realized that, despite his wealth, he found little to no happiness from the money he made through the company. At that moment, he turned to Catholicism and decided to make a change.

In 2021, he stepped down from his role as co-founder and entered St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo  Park to focus on the Catholic priesthood.

Father Blaise Berg, who worked closely with him, commented on Deacon Scott Borba’s willingness to enter this new era in his life.

“I can attest that Deacon Scott Borba has been a seminarian at St. Patrick’s Seminary since August 2021,” said Father Blaise Berg, STD, Assistant Professor of Dogmatics at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University. “He has approached these past five years with much enthusiasm and intentionality. While Scott recognizes that many may place much value on his previous life as a cosmetics entrepreneur and a Hollywood figure, he views his decision to follow God’s call to the priesthood as the most fulfilling and rewarding decision he has made in his life.”

While some people are surprised by this major change in his life, many, such as senior Nicholas Romero, are supportive of his decision to pursue a new life as a Catholic priest.

“I wasn’t really interested in makeup, and wasn’t really interested in the co-founder, but good for him for choosing to live a life where he’s truly happy, which is all that matters,” Romero said.

Deacon Scott Borba was ordained as a Catholic priest on May 23, 2026, in the Diocese of Fresno.