Maria Hatzistefanis is smart. Her sense of timing, well-honed.And her ability to see and fill white space, a talent. Where some cut their teeth, Maria polished hers as a beauty editor at Seventeen Magazine. In 1999 she left to start a skin care business with her husband. The pair’s goals were to combine unusual and untapped anti-aging ingredients with clever innovation. And they did. Dragons Blood and Snake Serum, anyone? Today, the London-based beauty entrepreneur owns two skin care businesses; Nip + Fab, which is targeted to a younger, more budget-conscious demographic; and Rodial, which is premium-priced and sold in 35 countries worldwide. Earlier this year her well-received book, How to Be An Overnight Success, was published by Penguin Random House. On November 6, her podcast, “Overnight Success,” will be available on Apple podcast. Recently, Rodial introduced their newest launch, Booster Drops. An expansion of their cosmetic line, which was created in 2014, will follow. Somehow this multitasking wife and mother of two found time to talk with CEW’s Beauty Insider for our 5 Minutes With… feature.

BI: What are five milestones you feel the company has achieved?


Maria Hatzistefanis: Snake Serum put Rodial in the map. We launched a diffusion range. Kylie Jenner fronted two NIP+FAB Campaigns. Launching Rodial Makeup. And our first flagship counter in Harvey Nichols London.

BI: What made you decide to launch a line of drops?


MH: I’ve been getting a lot of requests for single-ingredient products and always listen to what our customers want.

BI: Why place more emphasis on your makeup?


MH: Makeup needs my focus as it is still a baby. It needs time to grow and establish itself in the wider market. We have a new range of diamond foundations launching in spring 2019, which are really special.


BI: What kind of rebranding can the consumer expect to see?


MH: Right now I am looking purely at our packaging as I want to make it more bold and impactful. You will see this filter through the line in the next few months. I like to always tweak our formulas and packing to keep it current and exciting.

BI: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned over the years?
MH: When you have your own business, you can never relax, you always have to set the bar higher and challenge yourself for the next big success.

BI: What’s your greatest accomplishment thus far?
MH: Writing my book, “How to Be an Overnight Success,” was such an amazing personal experience. My book is about starting my own business and some of the challenges that I went through along the way, along with helpful advice if you are looking to start your own business or change careers.


BI: Biggest mistake you’ve made?


MH: Not to listen to my instinct and make a decision that didn’t feel right.

BI: Best advice for newbies entering the business today?
MH: It takes time to see results, keep on working hard and don’t give up. It took me 18 years to be where I am today, there is no such thing as an overnight success.

BI: What’s something no one tells you when starting a business?


MH: That you need to believe in yourself 1000% as it’s a lonely journey, and people will be waiting to tell you that you can’t do it. You need to be fully motivated as you will be challenged constantly.

BI: What’s a mantra you live by?


MH: Never give up.

BI: If you were to write the note found in a fortune cookie, what would it say?
MH: Make it happen.