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Jackie Kim shares how a personal obsession with sensitive skin turned into Maelove, a science led skincare brand whose viral vitamin C serum built loyalty before it made headlines. Joining Lindsay Pinchuk in this episode, Jackie traces the shift from New York attorney and startup investor to founder, driven by years of dry, reactive skin and frustration with clinical products that either caused irritation or came with a painful price tag. 

What do you build when every “solution” stings your face or empties your wallet? Jackie answers that question with Maelove’s approach to extra strength yet gentle formulas, a fully bootstrapped business, deep investment in R&D and long form educational content that customers and dermatologists now treat as a trusted guide. Along the way, she shares advice on knowing your strengths, hiring for your gaps and staying clear on who your skincare brand really serves, and she shows how viral growth can follow when you let the product, the science and your customers do the talking.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Why Building A Business Is A Marathon And Why Founder Community Matters

02:23 Dear FoundHer Host Intro And Setting Up The Maelove Skincare Story

04:35 Meet Jackie Kim And The Origins Of Maelove Skincare

08:11 Solving Sensitive Skin Problems And Defining The Maelove Mission

10:24 Bootstrapping Maelove And Building A Customer Obsessed Science Led Skincare Team

14:25 Creating Glowmaker And How A Vitamin C Serum Became A Viral Skincare Hero

20:15 How Glowmaker Went Viral Through Editors Influencers And Dermatologists

24:27 Keeping Skincare Affordable With A Lean Direct To Consumer Business Model

26:05 Becoming A Customer Obsessed Brand Through Deep Skincare Education And Content

32:16 Staying Competitive Without Funding And Growing Maelove Through Word Of Mouth

36:08 Jackie Kim’s Three Actionable Steps For Female Founders In Skincare And Beyond

Connect with Jackie Kim:

Follow Maelove on Instagram

Links:

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