Interview with Entrepreneur Mary Palmieri

Mary Palmieri is a Founder of The Beauty Marketplace (TBM). Mary received her undergraduate degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology followed by an extensive resumé of roles at the world’s leading media companies and publications including Conde Nast, Vogue, W, Forbes, Warner Music Group and United Business Media; Mary later evolved her experience into management consulting opportunities in the technology and beauty industries. Mary obtained an M.S. in Information and Knowledge Strategy (IKNS) from Columbia University to learn how to build a marketplace centered around people, process, and technology.

Entrepreneurial by nature, Mary founded, and successfully exited, the content platform and blog – Honest Beauty – which spotlighted emerging independent brands, as well as content pertaining to the business to business (B2B) industry’s talents, trends, and innovative technologies.

Are you an entrepreneur looking for your MVP built? Get in touch with us at hello@devathon.com

Devathon has built software for companies backed by the world’s leading investors like Betaworks, Greylock, Andreessen Horowitz, Accel, KPCB, Lightspeed and many more.

In the following interview, Mary talks about her entrepreneurial journey.

When did you first discover your entrepreneurial spirit and How is your entrepreneurial career developing so far?

I believe entrepreneurship is a calling. The entrepreneurial spirit was in my blood from a very young age. I started acting at age 10 and writing for Teen People as a Trendspotter at age 13 because I was passionate about helping people feel happy. I started working for myself as a freelance fashion stylist and brand consultant at age 21. In 2009, I started one of the beauty industry’s first blogs, Honest Beauty (2016 exit) at age 25. The journey continues with my current Beauty Tech startup – The Beauty Marketplace (TBM). The Beauty Marketplace (TBM) is building the world’s first intelligent personalized beauty advice and product recommendation platform aiming to disrupt a $467 billion beauty industry by helping customers make better product choices and informed purchasing decisions, focusing on the hot, niche segment of indie beauty.

I love solving problems and building things – I’ll never stop!

How did you come up with the idea for ‘The Beauty Marketplace’ and how did it all start?

I came up with the idea for TBM (The Beauty Marketplace) while enrolled at Columbia University. I wanted to parlay the blog I created, which provided a platform for indie beauty brands to tell their story, into an online marketplace. After analyzing the market, however, I soon realized the problem was too much choice! As a consumer, I was overwhelmed with information and product claims. I wanted to build a platform that will simplify the beauty shopping and discovery process online by providing an automated beauty matching service.

What services does ‘The Beauty Marketplace’ provide and what is its potential for success?

TBM matches shoppers to our database of emerging beauty brands and subject matter experts. Think of TBM of your personal beauty shopper. Register to be matched by one of our beauty experts, or play with our recommendation engine and discover new products and experts anytime.

What are your growth plans for the near future?

Our platform is now live at https://thebeautymarketplace.com/user and we are getting ready to scale and launch our platform to consumers just in time for the holiday shopping season!

Looking back, what did you learn and what would you have done differently?

I would have started sooner and spent less money – my best advice for entrepreneurs is get out of your head and into the game! The quicker you try, the quicker you learn so just keep trying and moving. In regards to money, make a plan before spending any!

My other best piece of advice is, be very careful about whom you surround yourself with in the beginning. Do not rush to find investors or team members, just do what you love and what you believe and everything will all fall into place organically. (Sounds cliche, but it is true). If something or someone doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and move on amicably.

San Francisco is a great location for a startup. What advantages does this location offer?

Aside from the amazing weather and outdoor spaces that enable you to think and be creative, San Francisco is filled with hard workers and big thinkers. I am constantly being challenged to think bigger living in this part of the world. Having this kind of mental stimulation, and being surrounded by some of the best entrepreneurs in the world is priceless.

In your opinion, what are the hurdles that keep people away from starting an entrepreneurial career? What advice would you give to the new entrepreneurs?

As an entrepreneur, your job is to think differently, do not let self-doubt or naysayers get in the way of you fulfilling your dreams and what you are passionate about. There is no reason why you cannot try something. If it doesn’t work, pivot or try something new, but always try. What gets me out of my head and into action, is the fear of thinking “What if…?” There are too many problems to solve in the world. Find one you are passionate about, surround yourself with people who believe in your vision, and start solving!

Are you an entrepreneur looking for your MVP built? Get in touch with us at hello@devathon.com

Devathon has built software for companies backed by the world’s leading investors like Betaworks, Greylock, Andreessen Horowitz, Accel, KPCB, Lightspeed and many more.