#MaesaMagicIncubator graduates three women entrepreneurs with $35,000 grants each
Beauty incubator Maesa is celebrating the graduation of its inaugural cohort which was launched in 2023 in celebration of the company’s 25th anniversary. To honor its entrepreneurial roots, the program’s goal was to elevate entrepreneurs from under-served communities through a range of support.
“Over the course of our inaugural #MaesaMagicIncubator program, we have endeavored to accomplish our mission of amplifying the unique voices of beauty entrepreneurs and empowering them to grow their brands. Our goal was to support unparalleled innovation in white spaces that have the capacity to break through and succeed in the market,” said Piyush Jain, Maesa CEO.
The three competitively selected entrepreneurial ventures espoused Maesa’s mission of out-of-the-box thinking that helps find unmet consumer needs that could be fulfilled through innovative beauty products.
Beauty Incubator Program included training, lectures, and other preparation
The entrepreneurial CEOs behind the Fuzz Clinic, House of Foster, and Squigs Beauty brands participated in a 12-week program comprised of foundational business lectures and 1:1 working sessions, individualized hands-on training and preparation for pitching, fireside chats with industry experts—leading to their admission to the leadership development program. Called the “Future of Commerce and Work,” it was hosted by the Emerson Group at the Harvard Faculty Club.
Graduates of the inaugural #MaesaMagicIncubator cohort
Fuzz Clinic, founded by Keisha Wagner-Gaymon provides pre/post hair removal skincare for women of color. The brand’s formulations are infused with botanical ingredients aimed at addressing common issues such as dark marks, irritation, and unsightly bumps often associated with hair removal.
House of Foster, founded by Selah Jael is an explorative fragrance brand scientifically designed to bring you home. It was created in search of the “untold scent story,” with a culture-led formulation that redefines the constraints of clean fragrance.
Squigs Beauty, founded by Nikita Charuza is an award-winning, approachable, fun, and effective Ayurvedic beauty brand, whose mission of Happy Headcare is to put you in a good mood.
Following completion of the program, each venture received a $35,000 grant to take their business to the next level. They also presented their brand story with tangible deliverables to an advisory board comprised of Maesa executives and guest executives who gave them insight and tools to move forward confidently in the Consumer Packaged Goods category.
Maesa’s Beauty Incubator panel included Maesa CEO Piyush Jain who was joined by Chief Brand Officer Oshiya Savur and Chief Growth Officer Scott Kestenbaum, Hairitage Founder and CEO Mindy McKnight, Create & Cultivate Founder Jaclyn Johnson and Motivational Speaker and Writer Jodi-Ann Burey.
