What was once a tiny and mighty beauty blog called Into The Gloss has become a bona fide NYC startup: Glossier, with a ragtag team of 35+ jogging up and down the stairwell of our Soho office building, spread out across three floors. Why are we here? We're creating a new kind of beauty company from the ground up—one that acknowledges the hopes, dreams, and desires of women today, and gives them the tools (both digitally and physically) to take ownership over their beauty routines. Who are we? Well, a lot of us began like you: as readers. And we'd like for you to get to know us a little better—what we each do, where we come from, and what we're excited about. Meet two of our guys, Henry and Matt:
How did you decide to make the switch to a beauty company?
Henry Davis, President & COO : “I worked a lot with fashion when I was in venture capital and became very interested in the way that e-commerce, in particular, changed fashion. Beauty was loosely on my radar as a big unexplored space for e-commerce, but if you’d asked me two years ago whether I'd thought I’d be working in the beauty industry and that I’d know as much about beauty products and own as many beauty products as I now do, I would definitely have said 'Not really.' When I met Emily, it was impossible not to see how much passion there was around Glossier. People care so much about their beauty products and their relationship with them. It just made sense to me that there should be a beauty brand that feels the same and I wanted to be a part of that brand.”
Matt Weiler, Vice President of Finance : “I knew I wanted to go into e-commerce as well—specifically branded e-commerce. Then after talking to Henry and Emily and learning how big of a market there is for beauty in general, it seemed like there was just so much opportunity here. From a finance and accounting perspective, it's certainly more interesting when you’re creating your own products because you have to manage a bit of a supply chain and the retail aspect—the products being assembled directly to the customer, start to finish. And from personal experience, I know how excited I get when I discover a new brand that I can connect with and get to buy their products and become a customer. Glossier does that in such a unique and powerful way and I wanted to be a part of that.”
Henry Davis
Where are you from?
London, born and raised
What do you do at Glossier?
I am COO. So I kind of make sure things are happening/working/not getting us in trouble.
What’s your favorite Glossier product?
I use the Priming Moisturizer every day and it is fantastic but I really LOVE the Mega Greens Galaxy Pack. I wear it in the bath.
Recent splurge?
I bought a Burberry trench. Makes me feel like a real gentleman. Worth every penny.
$20 + a night out in New York—go!
I am torn. Either two beers and a plate of wings at a dive bar OR a single Manhattan at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, depending if I am feeling high or low.
Best piece of professional advice you’ve received:
It's not about making good decisions, it's about making your decisions turn good.
Current favorite song:
Township Funk by DJ Mujava. I just rediscovered it this afternoon and have had it basically on repeat for two hours. Anyone who needs a little pick-me-up should go and listen to that right now. Very loudly.
What was your best idea ever?
Moving to New York to marry my wife and be a part of the Glossier story.
Matt Weiler
Where are you from?
Long Island, NY
What do you do at Glossier?
I do finance—so I make sure our financial reports are accurate and timely, budget and project our revenues and expenses so we can plan accordingly, manage our investor relations, and just generally make sure we have enough cash to run the business (now) and return to the investors (long term).
What’s your favorite Glossier product?
Coconut Balm Dotcom
Recent splurge?
Mets playoff tickets
$20 + a night out in New York—go!
$20 buys me an Uber ride _to _*y night out.
Best piece of professional advice you’ve received:
Surround yourself with the smartest people, whether it’s the boss you choose to work for, or the team you choose to hire, you should always feel like you are learning from those around you.
Current favorite song:
Loving You Easy by Zac Brown Band
What was your best idea ever?
I wanted to digitize receipts in 2006. Turned out I was ahead of my time. We still haven’t fully solved that problem.
Henry Davis and Matt Weiler photographed by Tom Newton.
Say hello to Social Media Manager Casey Zhang (get acquainted with the rest of the Glossier team over here)—or, see Henry & Matt in action in Glossier's Boys Meet Boy Brow video.
