We recently connected with Kimber Maderazzo and have shared our conversation below.
Kimber, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Your ability to build a team is often a key determinant of your success as a business owner and so we’d love to get a conversation going with successful entrepreneurs like yourself around what your recruiting process was like -especially early on. How did you build your team?
One of the most important things I’ve learned about building a high-performing team is that recruiting isn’t just about finding the most qualified person on paper, it’s about finding the right fit for the culture, mission, and momentum of the organization. I’ve always approached hiring with a deep focus on values alignment, curiosity, and the ability to adapt. During interviews, I’m not just looking at past accomplishments; I’m listening for self-awareness, grit, and the ability to collaborate across functions. I build structured but conversational interview processes that include scenario-based questions, cross-functional interviews, and time spent discussing how candidates receive and apply feedback. Once hired, training is immersive. I focus on onboarding that connects people to the “why” behind the work. I believe in giving people ownership early, paired with mentorship and regular coaching. My goal is to create an environment where they feel both challenged and supported—where their voice matters and their growth is visible. That combination is what fuels performance and retention.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I didn’t set out to be a leader—I became one through a mix of lived experience, resilience, and a strong belief in helping others grow. My journey started in the beauty and wellness industry, where I eventually had the opportunity to lead the global business at Proactiv, one of the most iconic skincare brands in the world. That experience taught me so much—not just about marketing or operations, but about people. I learned how to lead through transformation, how to scale teams, and how to listen closely to what both consumers and employees need. But alongside that corporate path, I also found myself drawn to something deeper: advancing women’s leadership. After years in boardrooms where I was often the only woman—or the only woman of color—I realized we can’t wait for change, we have to build it. That’s what led me to mentor, to teach, and to chair organizations focused on empowering the next generation of women leaders. Today, whether I’m in a classroom or on a board, my focus is still the same: create space, open doors, and make sure the people coming up behind us have the tools and support to lead with confidence and purpose.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Absolutely. One of the most defining moments in my journey came when I lost my home in the California wildfires. It was sudden, devastating, and completely out of my control. In a matter of hours, everything I had—photos, keepsakes, daily comforts—was gone. And yet, in the middle of that chaos, something unexpected happened: my network showed up. Colleagues, friends, even former employees reached out with support, resources, and encouragement. That experience reminded me that resilience isn’t just about pushing through tough moments alone—it’s about allowing yourself to be supported, staying grounded in your purpose, and choosing to rebuild with intention. It deepened how I lead. I became more compassionate, more decisive, and more focused on creating community and trust inside every team I’ve led. Because you never know what someone is carrying—and great leadership starts with empathy, especially in moments of adversity.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
One of my favorite—and most intense—chapters in my career was leading the global business for Proactiv. At the time, it was one of the most recognized skincare brands in the world, but also one of the most attacked. We were the category leader, which meant every major beauty company, from L’Oréal to Neutrogena to every drugstore brand you can name, was coming after us. Proactiv had become the brand to beat, and we knew it. What people didn’t see behind the scenes was just how hard we had to work to defend that position.
The challenge was, we didn’t have the resources those strategic powerhouses had. We weren’t backed by billion-dollar budgets or legacy distribution networks. But what we did have was deep consumer insight, scrappiness, and a willingness to take bold marketing risks. We focused relentlessly on what mattered most to our customers—the emotional pain of acne and the hope that clearer skin could change their lives. We shifted our messaging from just before-and-afters to storytelling that featured real people, raw experiences, and transformation beyond skin. We leaned into digital before most brands knew how. We built one-to-one connections with our customers while the big players were still talking in broad, polished campaigns.
I remember one turning point in particular when we were being hammered by competitive copycats and misinformation online. Rather than fight back with defense, we doubled down on brand trust and transparency. We put our dermatologists and formulators front and center. We launched a loyalty program that made our longtime users feel like insiders. And we developed a global playbook that allowed us to localize while staying true to our brand DNA. The result? We didn’t just hold our ground—we grew.
What I felt then was equal parts pressure and purpose. There was no safety net. But there was something incredibly powerful about knowing we could outsmart, out-hustle, and outconnect even the biggest players in the industry—not because we were the biggest, but because we were closest to the customer. That experience shaped how I lead to this day. You don’t win by being the loudest. You win by being the most human.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kimbermaderazzo
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimbermaderazzo
- Twitter: @madbeauty
Image Credits
Kimber Maderazzo