The Hidden Power of Small Wins: Building a Global Beauty Brand One Store at a Time
November 5, 2025
From Setback to Success: How Resilience and Independence Built a Global Beauty Empire
In this compelling episode of The Big Hitters podcast, host Larry Weidel interviews Maria Hatzistefanis, founder of the $100 million global beauty empire behind Rodial and Nip + Fab. Maria shares her journey from being fired from investment banking to building a self-funded beauty business present in over 10,000 stores across 35 countries, while also becoming a Dragon's Den investor and author.
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Join Larry Weidel as he sits down with Maria Hatzistefanis, founder of the $100M global beauty empire Rodial, to explore her remarkable journey from being fired in banking to building a thriving beauty business. Maria shares invaluable insights on bootstrapping a business without investor funding, celebrating small wins, and maintaining independence while scaling globally. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or established business owner, this conversation offers practical wisdom on building a successful brand, managing teams effectively, and creating multiple revenue streams through books and television appearances.
Join Larry Weidel as he sits down with Maria Hatzistefanis, founder of the $100M global beauty empire Rodial, to explore her remarkable journey from being fired in banking to building a thriving beauty business. Maria shares invaluable insights on bootstrapping a business without investor funding, celebrating small wins, and maintaining independence while scaling globally. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or established business owner, this conversation offers practical wisdom on building a successful brand, managing teams effectively, and creating multiple revenue streams through books and television appearances.
What You'll Learn:
- How to turn career setbacks into entrepreneurial opportunities, as demonstrated by Maria's pivot from banking to beauty
- Why self-funding can be a "blessing in disguise" for maintaining control and independence in business growth
- How to build a global brand from scratch, starting with just 500 product pieces in a small room
- The power of strategic risk-taking, illustrated by the game-changing "Snake Serum" product launch
- Why dedicating 50% of leadership time to recruitment and team management is crucial for scaling success
- How to maintain entrepreneurial culture by hiring people with a "make it happen" attitude
- The importance of celebrating small wins while building toward larger goals
- Why being a "hustler" is non-negotiable for entrepreneurial success, beyond just having good ideas
Maria Hatzistefanis is the founder and CEO of global beauty empire Rodial and Nip + Fab, known for revolutionizing the skincare industry with innovative targeted treatments. With a background in banking and beauty journalism, she has built a $100+ million business empire spanning 35+ countries and 10,000+ stores. In this episode, Maria shares her journey from being fired from investment banking to building a self-funded beauty empire, becoming a Dragon's Den investor, and authoring three internationally acclaimed books including "How to Be an Overnight Success." Her expertise in entrepreneurship, brand building, and maintaining independence while scaling a global business makes this conversation invaluable for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders. As a British Fashion Council advisor and Dragon's Den judge, Maria's insights on business growth, team building, and maintaining work-life balance while running a global enterprise offer practical wisdom for those looking to build sustainable, independent businesses.
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