We were lucky to catch up with Alexandra Monopoli recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alexandra , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

At Monopoli Skin, we diverge from the industry standard by rejecting the idea that beauty and skincare need to fit into rigid, one-size-fits-all definitions. Instead, we embrace the idea that everyone is unique, by being their own “Monopoli,” where there is no competition, and no one else like them. This mindset encourages people to own their individuality and embrace the “Monopoli Confidence,” which is about feeling empowered in your own skin, without the pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.

Our brand is about breaking free from conventional industry narratives that push perfectionism and uniformity. We believe skincare is personal, and there’s no one path to feeling good about yourself. One example of this is how we prioritize authenticity in all of our content—whether it’s sharing our customers’ raw, unfiltered skincare journeys or promoting a genuine, relatable lifestyle. We’re not about perfection, but progress and self-acceptance. This resonates deeply with our audience, especially those who have struggled to see their skincare journey reflected in mainstream beauty marketing.

In addition to promoting self-confidence, we educate our audience on skincare ingredients. Transparency is key to us, so we make it a priority to explain the purpose of each ingredient in our products, from how they work to what benefits they offer. We believe informed customers can make empowered choices about what they put on their skin. By breaking down complex skincare terms and making ingredient lists accessible, we build trust and foster a deeper understanding of skincare. This emphasis on education sets Monopoli Skin apart by offering more than just products—we offer the knowledge and confidence to help people take control of their skin’s health.

Alexandra , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey into the skincare industry is deeply personal and rooted in both family history and my own skincare struggles. My grandfather owned a handful of beauty colleges, which exposed me to the beauty world from a young age. However, my real passion for skincare was sparked between 2016 and 2020 when I struggled with hormonal acne. I tried countless products, walking into retail stores and spending hundreds of dollars, only to leave feeling even more confused. I was layering products that shouldn’t be mixed, stripping my skin of its natural oils, and ultimately leaving my skin worse off. This frustrating experience pushed me to understand skincare at a deeper level.

Out of this journey, Monopoli Skin was born. I created this brand to not only offer high-quality products but also to educate others so they don’t go through the same confusion I did. We provide a range of carefully formulated skincare products, including serums, cleansers, and masks, all designed to simplify routines and work together harmoniously. Our goal is to solve common skincare issues—like acne, dullness, and dehydration—while providing education about how to properly use ingredients, what to avoid, and how to build a routine that works for them.

What sets Monopoli Skin apart is our mission to empower people to “be their own monopoli.” We squash traditional beauty standards and encourage our clients to embrace their individuality. We also emphasize transparency, breaking down complex skincare ingredients and offering education so people can make informed choices. I’m most proud of the community we’ve built—one that values authenticity, progress, and self-acceptance over perfection. I want our followers to know that Monopoli Skin is here to help them feel confident in their own skin while empowering them with the knowledge to make skincare choices that truly benefit them.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Yes, my side hustle turned into my full-time career. I retired from corporate America at age 30 to fully dedicate myself to growing Monopoli Skin. The decision was a leap of faith, but as the saying goes, “You can’t expect your business to grow if you are not watering it.” I realized that to make Monopoli Skin thrive, I needed to pour my full attention and passion into it.

Monopoli Skin began as a passion project. My personal experience with hormonal acne and confusion over skincare products motivated me to create a brand that would not only offer effective products but also educate others. For years, I balanced working in corporate America while building Monopoli Skin on the side, using evenings and weekends to research, test, and develop the products.

The turning point came when I saw the growing potential of the brand. We hit key milestones like launching our first product line, gaining a strong social media following, and seeing genuine results and feedback from our customers. These moments proved that the brand had something special, and I realized that to take it to the next level, I needed to fully commit. Leaving the corporate world was a difficult decision, but I knew it was necessary to give Monopoli Skin the dedication it deserved.

Now, I’m proud to say Monopoli Skin is thriving, and being able to fully focus on it has been a game-changer in our growth. The journey from side hustle to full-time business was full of challenges, but it has been incredibly rewarding to see the brand blossom as I continue to “water” it every day.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What helped me build my reputation within the market was staying authentic and consistent in my approach as a content creator for Modern Monopoli. I first started off as a content creator, where I was reviewing products, educating my followers, and being genuine about my personal skincare journey. Sharing my struggles with hormonal acne and the confusion I faced with products allowed me to connect deeply with my audience. I wasn’t just promoting products; I was sharing real, relatable experiences and offering valuable education to help people make informed skincare choices.

This authenticity and transparency built trust, which became the foundation of my reputation. When I eventually launched Monopoli Skin, I carried the same values into the brand. My background as a content creator gave me a unique perspective on what customers wanted—clarity, education, and a brand that truly cared about their skin. By continuing to focus on educating my community about skincare ingredients and routines, I ensured that Monopoli Skin stood apart in the market. Building meaningful relationships based on trust and authenticity has been central to my success, and it all started with being real and accessible as a content creator before transitioning into launching the brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.monopoliskin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monopoli.skin?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monopoli-skin/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@monopoliskin?si=Vdg-hkkVCu9oj-Mo
• Other: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modern.monopoli/profilecard/?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==