[quote style=”boxed”]I carry a small notebook with me everywhere I go. Some ideas that I scribble down are never seen again, but many continue to surface and I’ll start talking about it with friends & family to get different perspectives. The more people you talk about an idea, the more you can fully flesh it out and be confident in it.[/quote]
Alexi Mintz is the co-founder and co-CEO of 3Floz.com, a site that launched February 2010 stocking top beauty, grooming & wellness products exclusively in travel size, “for those who travel, those who are curious, and those who can’t commit”. Prior to founding 3Floz.com in November 2009, she was the Brand Manager at Archipelago Botanicals and before that the Product Development Manager at Bond No. 9. With a strong background in branding, specializing in beauty & home fragrance, she works to help people look and feel their best wherever they are through 3Floz.com.
When Alexi Mintz isn’t working she can be found around NYC listening to live music or escaping to the beach.
What are you working on right now?
Specifically I’m working on a company overview and action plan for an upcoming Women’s Ecommerce Network. Broadly I’m working on 3Floz.com v 2.0. We are gearing up to launch a new site, new products, new brands all while supporting & growing our existing site.
What does your typical day look like?
When you own a startup I don’t think there is such a thing as a typical day. I’ve learned to be very open with my schedule & take things as they come. When I’m not travelling or in meetings all day, which isn’t often my days looks like this: Wake up, check email, coffee & breakfast & head to work. Either at lunchtime or late afternoon I’ll sneak out to Physique 57 or Soul Cycle. I work out 4-5 days a week to keep sane. I miss the after work rush at the studio and it gives me my evenings to meet friends for dinner or continue working.
What is the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I spent my summers growing up on Nantucket and worked as a hostess at the ‘see and be seen’ restaurant of the season. The clientele was a blend of the Hamptons & Wall Street and each one of them expectedspecial treatment, early seating, etc. The last summer I was a hostess I learned that no matter what status you’ve achieved, or your net worth, everyone started somewhere and you have to remember to treat everyone respectfully. You never know where your personal and/or professional life may take you.
Trends that excite you?
- Women owned businesses
- The “bed head” look because it’s my personal favorite hairstyle and very quick to achieve.
- Healthy Food in schools
How do you bring ideas to life?
I carry a small notebook with me everywhere I go. Some ideas that I scribble down are never seen again, but many continue to surface and I’ll start talking about it with friends & family to get different perspectives. The more people you talk about an idea, the more you can fully flesh it out and be confident in it.
What inspires you?
My parents, people who think outside of the box, authentic people. It takes a lot of courage to be who you are and do what you are passionate about. The ocean/beach, planes (I do some of my best creative work on planes), traveling & wine with a good friend.
What is one mistake you’ve made, and what did you learn from it?
Starting a business is extremely overwhelming. Don’t let yourself get caught up in the daily grind and stresses. I lost perspective of the bigger goal and why I went into business for myself. When I launched3Floz.com it was the most selfish time in my life and I lost touch with a lot of friends and family. I’m rebuilding those friendships as I focus on the bigger picture and not the daily stress.
What do you read every day, and why?
CNN.com and Twitter. I’m on the go all the time and status updates keep me posted on headlines and musings in my industry and others.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read, and why?
Delivering Happiness by Tony Hseih, the founder of Zappos. As we were in the final stages of launching 3Floz.com someone gave it to and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. His writing is honest and many of the struggles he went through as a startup I can now relate to. It also gave me hope that even on our hardest days there is a purpose of why we started 3Floz.com.
What is your favorite gadget, app or piece of software that helps you every day?
I recently converted to an iPhone, my new favorite gadget. I love the photo quality and I use Instagram to play with my photos and post to our social media feeds. During the day I listen to turntable.fm for music.
Three people we should follow on Twitter, and why?
Shameless self-promotion! You should follow us @3floz, my business partner Kate Duff @3FlozKate for beauty, politics & pop culture anecdotes. One of my favorite stand up comedians (be warned, he is inappropriate) posts pretty funny commentary about daily life @colinkane.
Who would you love to see interviewed on IdeaMensch?
The founders of Hipmunk, Airbnb & Turntable.Fm.
When is the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
Yesterday when someone rolled down their window in the streets of NY and said to my business partner “Hello Biscuit” in a voice that assumed they knew her.
How do you define yourself?
Look at the people you surround yourself with. My friends and family.
What’s the one beauty product that you can’t travel without?
Blow Faux Dry Shampoo
Connect:
www.facebook.com/3Floz
www.twitter.com/3Floz
www.3floz.com
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.