Tomorrow, March 8, is International Women’s Day. During the past 56 years, Happi has profiled many entrepreneurs and startups. In 2017, we dedicated our back page to the fast-growing “indie world” under the “Indie Inc” banner. Since we began this monthly feature, many of the founders and company leaders profiled have been women.

In fact, our very first Indie Inc profile was a female-founded operation—Manic Panic NYC.

At the time, Tish and Snooky’s Manic Panic NYC was marking its 40th anniversary. The duo (shown above) shared with us how they got started in hair care.

“We were backup singers for Blondie and many other bands of the day. People always loved our style, on and off stage, so we decided to open a store. It was the first punk store in the USA, selling everything and anything we loved: hair color, cosmetics, accessories, clothing, etc. Our style and taste gradually caught on and now the hair color we’ve always loved (and were ridiculed for!) is loved by people everywhere…..”    Continue reading about Manic Panic here.

Our most recent Indie Inc profile (March 2022) is Kambiio, a new launched skincare brand founded by Maryann Okoro.

“I had thought that I would work for one of the major beauty companies someday as I have always loved the beauty and personal care space. So, to be on this solo journey to creating Kambiio is mind-blowing…Since launching, I have had the opportunity to engage and interact with more people not only discussing skin care or cosmetics but a range of other topics like mental health, empowermen…” Continue reading about Kambiio here.


Here are just some of our favorite women from Happi’s Indie Inc profile series:

Rebels with a Cause

Rebel Green, Certified B Corporation and women-owned company, seeks to change people’s home care habits for good. Melina Marcus and Ali Florsheim are the co-founders behind this cleaning products brand.

“Back in 2008, we were two good friends with an idea for a green business. We started Rebel Green simply as we wanted safer, eco-friendly alternatives for our families and we were not finding much on the market that could meet our needs. We were worried about the ramifications of the ingredients in all these products on our children who all suffer from sensitivities to ingredients in conventional household cleaners as well as the impact on the planet. One of the first products…..”   Continue reading Rebel Green's story here.

 

Razor Sharp

While working at Estée Lauder, Karen Young designed a razor for women. Don’t let that stylish rose gold exterior fool you; Oui Shave’s 100% stainless steel safety razor means business—just like the woman who designed it…. Continue to read Young's story here.

Out of Lab and into the World

Acaderma is a skincare brand founded by scientist Shuting Hu. She wanted to translate complex science—and create great products—for everyday consumers.

“During my PhD and postdoctoral research, I studied skin biology, phytochemistry and the health benefits of natural ingredients. My vision was to translate these amazing discoveries from academia to th emarket, not leave them buried in a digital archive of scientific papers…” Continue reading about Acaderma here.

Fun & Functional

Hand sanitizer business Touchland is led by Andrea Lisbona Vives, CEO and founder. Setting out in 2016 to make hand hygiene cool, Touchland’s sales are through the roof, and it has ramped up production to meet demand during the pandemic. 


“It’s been very challenging in many ways. While we have experienced many supply chain challenges, such as  alcohol shortages and price increases of our main ingredient, we have decided to maintain our prices for customers despite the price increases on our raw materials. In times like this, we want to be the company customers can count on. We have obviously seen a massive increase in demand and we have had to work against the clock to ramp up production …”   Continue reading Touchland's profile here.

Fairy Tales Solves Parent’s Hair Care Nightmares

Fairy Tales is a longstanding indie hair care brand born to battle lice. Risa Barash, a former stand-up comedian, is the founder.

“Stand-up comedy is the hardest job I ever had and I thought building a brand sounded easier—that was a joke!  My boyfriend at the time had a cousin who owned a children’s salon on Long Island and he had a bottle …..”  Hear more from Barash here.

A Family Affair

Elizabeth Grant traces its start to 1940s England, when a bomb blast severely injured the founder’s face. Three generations of women run the business, which relaunched in 1999.


“There’s something so special about women supporting each other and building something spectacular. I have always believed in women having a voice and being independent, I have found that work gives us that independence launch pad. So, when Marion approached me and said why not try Elizabeth Grant Skin Care here in Canada, I jumped at the chance, we just had to figure out how….”  Continue reading Elizabeth Grant's story here.

Head Chef 

Gourmet Body Pastries Founder Melanie Mitchell crafts decadent skin care products using food-based ingredients.

“The concept came from a close friend being diagnosed with stage 3 estrogen receptive breast cancer and me wanting to offer a healthier skin care alternative. My goal was to introduce a more natural skin care line blended with amazing  fragrances …” Continue with Mitchell's founder story here.

Do you have a favorite female founder story? Share it with us! Send an email to [email protected]