After working as an ad exec for over 30 years, Lynn co-launched MASAMI, a clean premium haircare startup using botanically hydrating Mekabu from Japan.

WHERE WERE YOU BEFORE STARTING MASAMI?

I’m from the Midwest but moved to New York to pursue my career in advertising. I had some incredible opportunities to work with big brands and celebrities like Heather Locklear, Milla Jovovich, and Eva Longoria. I left the advertising industry though in 2018.

As I progressed in my career, I was working less with brands, and my work was becoming more administrative.  At times, I didn’t believe in the products that I was selling. That’s when I knew it was time for a change. I wanted to create an impact in my work. 

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH MASAMI?

In 2018, I met my co-founder, James. He had been working for many years on a formulation of beauty products made from seaweed. He was experimenting with Mekabu and noticed how it could bring so much hydration to hair.

At first, I was super skeptical, but I tried the formulations and was quickly blown away. So here I was with a product that I believed in, and I knew that I could bring my skillset to the table.

Since 2018, I’ve been working on branding, packaging, trademarking the business, and setting up shop. We launched in February 2020 during New York Fashion Week. 

HOW WAS THE TRANSITION FROM AD EXEC TO ENTREPRENEUR?

For so many years, I was at the whims of clients. If they wanted to change a brilliant creative brief, it would be so disheartening. It’s exciting to be in control of your schedule and to have full creative agency. If it fails, at least we did it our way.

On the flip side - and you learn to live with it - there's tedious administrative work to do, but it’s the price to pay for creative freedom. 

How does MASAMI use its platform to give back?

We are a pro-ocean brand. Masami Institute gives back to Northeast Japan, where we sponsor education research to rebalance the ecosystem. 

WHAT DEVELOPMENTS DO YOU HOPE TO SEE IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY?

We need to move away from harmful packaging and be forward-thinking. Right now, the packaging industry has devastating impacts on our landfills. People are usually aware of the impacts of plastic pollution, but a lot of people don’t realize that even cardboard packaging has foil liners, so it defeats the purpose of being eco-friendly. Needless to say, there’s a lot of room for improvement in the beauty packaging industry, and we’re keeping a pulse on new trends.

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CLEAN BEAUTY?

I think COVID has made us think twice about our beauty regimens, and we have been more tuned into clean beauty. I hope people will be extra thoughtful about what they put in and on their bodies. Our skin and scalp absorb things so easily.

ANY TIPS FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS?

Don’t be shy and build your network. Find people who have expertise in what you want to do. Ask them to be advisors. Start to build out a list of mentors - younger mentors, too. If this is your side gig, you can do these little things to set yourself up for entrepreneurial success. 

And finally, can you tell us your favorite Masami product we should try? 

Definitely our styling cream. It has a lovely light texture and works wonders. 

Follow MASAMI on Instagram and check out their products.