Ex-Founder & Senior Business Operations Leader
Built a skincare startup from zero to $1M ARR. 55+ product launches. 200+ retail partners. 15 years of building, scaling, and leading from the ground up — all without outside funding.
About
I built my skincare company, Anjolie, from an idea at Cornell into a thriving B2B and DTC brand — reaching thousands of customers, entering over 200 national retailers including the highest-traffic Whole Foods in the country, and achieving $1M ARR by year three.
I scaled the team from zero to 30 employees across sales, marketing, fulfillment, and customer support, while developing and optimizing every core business process. I directed the entire supply chain — both domestic and international — coordinating logistics from ocean freight to customs to get products delivered on time and on budget.
After 15 years of running Anjolie, I closed that chapter and most recently served as Director of Product and Operations at Exponent Beauty, a clinical-grade skincare innovator. I'm excited to bring my entrepreneurial perspective to help the next generation of startups build and grow.
Experience
Exponent Beauty
Drove operations and strategic initiatives at a clinical-grade, self-activated skincare company. Supported the CEO and cross-functional teams in scaling the business across retail (Credo Beauty, Nordstrom, Bluemercury) and DTC channels. Brought founder-level operational discipline to a fast-growing, B Corp certified brand.
Anjolie
Founded a sea botanical skincare company while at Cornell and scaled it over 15 years into a multi-channel brand. Built the wholesale business to 200+ national retailers including Whole Foods, Mom's Organic Market, and Soft Surroundings. Organically grew revenue without outside funding, developed and launched 55+ award-winning products across skincare, bodycare, haircare, and fragrance. Managed all operations including production, supply chain, marketing, and fulfillment.
Expertise
End-to-end product development and go-to-market execution. 55+ successful launches across skincare, bodycare, haircare, and fragrance categories.
Building scalable processes from zero. Fulfillment, customer support, team management, and internal systems designed for growth.
Domestic and international supply chain management, including ocean freight, customs coordination, and manufacturing partnerships.
Built a wholesale channel to 200+ retailers including Whole Foods, managing relationships, sell-through, and account growth.
Grew a direct-to-consumer channel with a $150 average order value and sub-1% return rate, delivering to all 50 states.
15 years of founder experience — from bootstrapping and fundraising alternatives to team scaling, brand building, and social enterprise.
Recognition
Oprah Magazine
Recognized for socially responsible business practices and commitment to sustainable, ethical skincare.
Eileen Fisher
Honored for building a social enterprise that supports women entrepreneurs through microloan funding worldwide.
Cornell University
Featured student business at entrepreneurship@cornell. Invited speaker and panelist at Cornell Entrepreneurship events.
The Wall Street Journal
Exponent Beauty featured for its innovative approach to self-activated, clinical-grade skincare.
Education
B.S. in Communication, Applied Economics and Management
Lambda Pi Eta · eLab Startup Accelerator · Cornell Undergraduate Startup and Venture Capital Club · Cornell Entrepreneurs Organization · CALS Ambassador · Guest Lecturer, Cornell Freshman Seminar
Let's Connect
Whether you're scaling a startup, launching a product, or need operational expertise — I'd love to hear from you.
merylg12@gmail.com