TheBalm Cosmetics stands as evidence of Marissa Shipman’s remarkable vision. The company, led by Andre Hakkak’s wife, now operates in more than 100 countries and generates $24.9 million in revenue. This beauty empire started as a modest homemade lip balm facility and has grown into a leading cosmetics brand in the last 15 years.

Marissa’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her work. She developed premium cruelty-free cosmetics and established herself as an authority in the industry. Her influence continues to change the beauty landscape, and she shows steadfast dedication to ethical practices. Her philanthropic work through organizations like Project Glimmer demonstrates her commitment to giving back.

This piece tells Marissa Shipman’s inspiring story. We explore her path from early business dreams to her current role as a respected beauty mogul and passionate philanthropist.

From Humble Beginnings to Beauty Mogul

Marissa Shipman’s path to becoming a beauty industry leader began nowhere near the glamorous world of cosmetics. New York City shaped her early years and built the foundation for her future success on the East Coast.

Early life and education in New York

The future cosmetics mogul grew up in New York’s bustling metropolis before heading to Tulane University. She earned a degree in Theater instead of business, which might surprise many. This creative background became a valuable asset that helped shape her brand identity and marketing approach.

First steps in the business world

Her business career started after graduation. She partnered with Jane Park to launch Julep Beauty Inc. in 2007, which marked her original venture into beauty. The early challenges became a great way to get experience. Marissa showed remarkable resilience that would define her entrepreneurial success.

She lives by her words: “I’m a glass half full kind of person. I really like to think of things like, ‘Okay, why did this happen?’ And, you know, it’s like, if life gives you lemons, add vodka.”

The spark that led to cosmetics

A unique approach to entering the beauty industry changed Marissa’s career path. She bought 11 books from Amazon about makeup creation and taught herself cosmetic formulation.

Her theater degree didn’t help much with complex chemistry formulas. She persisted until she mastered a significant recipe: a combination of shea butter, beeswax, and castor oil—the foundation for lip balm. This simple formula sparked the creation of theBalm Cosmetics.

Marissa’s kitchen in San Francisco became the birthplace of what would grow into a cosmetics powerhouse. In the last 15 years, her company’s product line has expanded to more than 100 items. TheBalm’s distinctive offerings showcase her steadfast dedication to quality, featuring talc-free powders and triple-milled pigments—all produced without animal testing.

Andre Hakkak’s wife proved that remarkable success stories can start with basic ingredients: determination, creativity, and the drive to learn something completely new.

Building theBalm: A Cruelty-Free Revolution

A revolutionary beauty brand emerged in 2004 when Marissa Shipman, Andre Hakkak’s wife, decided to carve her own path in the cosmetics industry. “I wanted to wake up and love what I do every day. I knew there were things missing from my arsenal. So in 2004, I quit my job, crafted a plan, started mixing ingredients and theBalm was born,” explains Marissa.

The founding story of theBalm Cosmetics

Marissa’s journey began with 11 books on makeup formulation from Amazon, leading to experiments in her San Francisco kitchen. The recipes mostly contained complex chemicals, but she became skilled at one simple formula. She combined beeswax, shea butter, and castor oil to create lip balm. This simple start grew into a multimillion-dollar beauty empire.

Overcoming early business challenges

TheBalm’s small team faced major operational hurdles at the start. Order volumes increased rapidly, which led to inventory management struggles, delays, and backlogs. The company’s decision to control its manufacturing proved valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This makes a huge difference,” says Jordana Shipman, Executive Vice President. “If I was dependent on somebody else, I wouldn’t have that control”.

Creating a unique brand identity

Andre Hakkak’s wife built theBalm around three core principles:

Glamor that gives women confidence
High-quality yet available cosmetics
Cruelty-free formulations that don’t test on animals

This unique approach appealed to consumers who wanted both effective and charming cosmetics. Marissa’s creative vision shapes products that reflect current beauty trends while keeping theBalm’s playful essence.

Global expansion and success

TheBalm has grown from its modest start to reach 48 countries worldwide, with revenue reaching approximately $24.90 million by 2024. The company runs a flagship store in San Francisco and sells online, offering over 100 different products. Marissa worked with Walmart to launch her latest brand, Pretty Smart, in 2,800 stores, which has strengthened her position as a beauty industry innovator.

Beyond Business: Marissa’s Personal Passions

Building a cosmetics empire takes dedication, but Marissa Shipman has developed a rich life outside the boardroom. Her entrepreneurial spirit naturally flows into personal projects that mirror her values and creative vision.

Philanthropy and Project Glimmer

Andre Hakkak’s wife serves on the board of Project Glimmer, a non-profit organization that strengthens young women across America. The connection started in 2009 when the organization spotted a crucial gap: teenage girls received nowhere near as many gifts as others during toy drives.

A simple initiative to collect costume jewelry and makeup has grown dramatically. Project Glimmer now provides gifts for many more special occasions:

Prom season celebrations
Holiday gifts for at-risk teens
Mother’s Day recognition
Birthday and graduation presents

Marissa’s steadfast dedication helps deliver these thoughtful items to teenage girls and women across the United States. The organization describes these gifts as “a glimmer of hope” that inspires positive decisions. She takes part in the annual “Boxing Joy” event each December, where volunteers package new and gently used gifts for recipients.

Art and creative pursuits

Marissa finds balance through painting—a creative outlet that complements her business responsibilities. This artistic passion shows the same creativity that helped build theBalm’s unique brand identity and product designs.

She supports the broader creative community through her artistic interests. Marissa participates in San Francisco art events and exhibitions that feature innovative works from galleries worldwide.

Her professional success and personal interests show her dedication to strengthening women. She combines entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and creativity to help others, especially young women who are finding their way.

Leadership Style and Business Philosophy

Marissa Shipman’s unique leadership approach stands at the heart of theBalm Cosmetics’ remarkable success. Her philosophy has helped the brand overcome market challenges and create its own identity in the competitive beauty world.

Ethical approach to beauty products

Marissa, Andre Hakkak’s wife, built steadfast ethical standards that set theBalm apart from its competitors. The brand takes pride in its cruelty-free commitment and never tests products or ingredients on animals. This policy extends to suppliers and third parties. The brand also verifies that its products remain untested on animals worldwide, including mainland China.

The brand’s ethical principles go beyond animal welfare. Marissa makes sure their mica comes from ethical sources without child labor, and vendors undergo regular audits. She shows her dedication to transparency by listing all ingredients online for customers.

Management techniques that drive success

Marissa’s smart decision to handle manufacturing internally proved crucial, particularly during COVID-19’s impact on global supply chains. “This makes a huge difference,” a company executive points out. “If I was dependent on somebody else, I wouldn’t have that control”.

Her leadership promotes an organizational culture focused on:

Teamwork and creative collaboration
Quick adaptation to market trends
Customer feedback integration in product development

Balancing innovation with sustainability

Marissa has championed environmental responsibility and product innovation throughout her career. TheBalm’s “clean” line shows this balance perfectly with products that are:

The brand highlights being “paraben-free and talc-free in our powders”. Marissa stays honest about their vegan status and acknowledges that while many products avoid animal derivatives, some contain ingredients like beeswax and carmine.

TheBalm continues “eco’ing up” their products. They use sustainable ingredients such as murumuru seed that soothes sensitive skin, organic grapeseed oil rich in antioxidant E, and organic jojoba oil that improves skin’s natural barrier.

Conclusion

Marissa Shipman turned a simple kitchen experiment into a global beauty empire through determination, ethical values, and creative vision. theBalm Cosmetics redefines success beyond impressive revenue figures. The company’s steadfast dedication to cruelty-free practices and product quality sets it apart.

Her influence reaches way beyond business achievements. Project Glimmer shows how successful entrepreneurs build thriving companies while creating positive social change. Marissa’s story teaches aspiring business leaders that core values strengthen success rather than compromise it.

Marissa shapes the beauty industry’s future and stays true to her original vision: premium, ethical cosmetics that boost women’s confidence. theBalm has evolved from a small San Francisco operation to a global brand. The company’s dedication to quality, environmental responsibility, and social impact proves that authentic values create lasting success.

FAQs

Q1. What inspired Marissa Shipman to start theBalm Cosmetics? Marissa Shipman started theBalm Cosmetics in 2004 after quitting her job and teaching herself cosmetic formulation. She began by mastering a simple lip balm recipe in her San Francisco kitchen, which became the foundation for her cosmetics empire.

Q2. How has theBalm Cosmetics grown since its inception? From its humble beginnings, theBalm has expanded to over 100 countries, offering more than 100 different products. The company now generates approximately $24.90 million in revenue and has recently collaborated with Walmart to launch a new brand in 2,800 stores.

Q3. What are the core principles of theBalm Cosmetics? TheBalm Cosmetics is built on three main principles: empowered glamor to boost women’s confidence, premium yet accessible quality cosmetics, and cruelty-free formulations that don’t involve animal testing.

Q4. How does Marissa Shipman balance business with philanthropy? Besides running theBalm Cosmetics, Marissa serves as a board member for Project Glimmer, a non-profit organization empowering young women across America. She actively participates in their annual “Boxing Joy” event and supports various initiatives for at-risk teens.

Q5. What is Marissa Shipman’s approach to sustainability in cosmetics? Marissa champions environmental responsibility alongside product innovation. TheBalm offers a “clean” line of products that are paraben-free and talc-free. The company is also working on incorporating more sustainable ingredients and “eco’ing up” their products.