the Balm

Marissa Shipman, Founder & CEO
Marissa realized that there were a few simple products she needed to help her feel glam all the time. Then she decided that if she needed them, other women probably did too.

So she went to Amazon, bought 11 books on how to make makeup and started mixing in her kitchen. "I went crazy. I had a web site designed, got incorporated, worked out a budget, and hired a chemist." And the rest is history! Well, not yet but with her great ingredients, gorgeous colors and fabulous scents, Marissa is certainly making makeup history.

Marissa has a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University. Through her Theater Arts major and career in television production, Marissa developed keen insights into present day American pop culture that enhanced her understanding of cosmetic trends. Marissa is glamorous and fun and her personality definitely shows through in her products.

Jordana Shipman, Vice President of International Sales
Jordana is responsible for marketing theBalm throughout the Midwestern region of the United States. Jordana has spent many years working within the media, fashion and event planning industries. Prior to joining theBalm, she managed the corporate event group at InterActiveCorp. Before InterActiveCorp, Jordana was a conference and event planner with Mosaic Event Management and a promotion assistant with GQ magazine.

She is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Finance.

Courtney Cecil, Vice President of Marketing
As Vice President of Marketing, Courtney returns to theBalm with nearly a decade of strategic communications and global sales experience under her belt. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism with a B.A. in Advertising, she began her career at ICF International and climbed her way up from Research Assistant to Associate managing strategic communication campaigns for government clients in the health, energy and environment sectors. Extending her expertise into the world of hospitality, Courtney joined Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 2007 where she represented a portfolio of more than 1,000 hotels worldwide, including the beloved Luxury Collection, St. Regis, W and Westin hotel brands. Working with key group customers in the association, corporate and government markets, she handled bookings from 10 to 10,000 peak room nights, and helped generate $35.7 million dollars in definite room revenue in 2008.

Heather Perry, Director of Marketing & Operations
Growing up in a house with four sisters, Heather’s love of makeup started at a young age. Heather became apart of theBalm team at the end of 2009, and currently oversees all apects of daily operations. She also assists both new product development and various marketing initiatives. She has spent a few years in the cause marketing industry, working with both local and national nonprofit agency clients. Heather graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a BA in Communication.

Mary Munoz, Designer
With a lifelong love for design and beauty, Mary naturally flocked to San Francisco to pursue her dreams. Her professional experience spans from event marketing and collateral design to high-end digital photography. After earning her Bachelor’s of Science in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of California in San Francisco she was quickly scooped up and brought on as Graphic Designer for theBalm.

Jennifer Sullivan, National Makeup Artist and VP of Training & Education
Jennifer's love of cosmetics began at a young age. Landing her first makeup job at the age of 19, she hit the road running and hasn't looked back since. Jennifer used her makeup skills to attain a BA in Liberal Arts with the intention of becoming a teacher. Realizing that she couldn't leave cosmetics behind, she decided to combine her two passions, makeup and teaching.Through her 12 years of experience, Jennifer has developed a clientele ranging from celebrities, top stylists, and professional makeup artists. Having participated in events such as Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, and on air events for HSN, her true passion lies in teachingwomen how to look and feel good about themselves, especiallythrough something as simple as a lipstick

Jennifer is very excited to be at theBalm and hopes that her obsession with yoga, dark chocolate and soy chai lattes will prepare her to be National Makeup Artist and VP of Training & Education for theBalm.

Jennifer received a Bachelor of Arts from California State University at Long Beach with an emphasis in Education.

Annie Gribbin, International Celebrity Makeup Artist
Based in Ireland, Annie�s career in make up began 25 years ago when she won a scholarship to the Make up For Ever Academy in Paris where she learned her craft from its founder the great Dani Sanz. Since then she has achieved cult status both in Ireland and throughout Europe for her professional make up talent. She has been running her own Make Up For Ever store and academy in Dublin for 20 years. This is where many of Europe�s leading make up artists have learned their craft.

Listed in the Book "Who�s Who in Ireland" Annie is listed as the leading pioneer in the beauty industry. Annie is hands on in her business as well as being an International Makeup artist. Her credits are as long as her experience which has involved numerous TV appearances and working with A list Hollywood actors and music legends. Including: U2, theCorrs, The Cranberries, Alicia Siverstone, Sylvestor Stallone. The list is endless.

When Annie came across theBalm in New York she fell in love with it and now stocks it in her store and uses it on many beauty and fashion editorials. She is passionate about her craft and is an excellent ambassador for theBalm in Europe. She makes regular appearances on QVC UK for theBalm and can be seen promoting the brand at certain store launches.

Felicia Rochelle Roman, National Makeup Artist & Account Executive
Felicia was a certified medical assistant working in a women's clinic and loving it,until she found her true passion...MAKEUP! She has now been doing makeup for 12 years.

From Los Angeles to San Francisco to New York, she has worked on celebrities, morning and makeover shows, the new york knicks girls,broadway stars and tons of fashion shows in Mercedes Benz fashion week. L.A.M.B. of course being her all time favorite show because of her love for the one and only Gwen Stefani! She started doing hair while living in San Francisco and decided to get her license in cosmetology. She enjoys swing dancing, photography, traveling, reading, meeting new people and living every day to the fullest. She is really excited to have joined theBalm family.

One of her favorite quotes is:
"If you're alive you've got to flap your arms and legs, you've got to jump around a lot, for life is the very opposite of death, and therefore you must at very least think noisy and colorfully, or you're not alive."
~Mel Brooks~

Rebecca Vaughan, VP of West Coast Sales
Rebecca grew up in sunny Southern California and never went far. She lives in Redondo Beach and loves the beach, sunshine, shopping and laid back lifestyle that Southern California offers.

Rebecca earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Southern California. After working in event marketing and promotions on the Lexus account at an ad agency for 2 years, she decided that sales was where she needed to be and wound up working as a sales representative for GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals for over seven years. Having always been what she considers a “makeup and product junkie”, when she heard about the open position at theBalm she jumped on it…it was a match made in heaven. She’s thrilled to be working at such a fun and creative company like theBalm, where she can combine her love of sales and makeup.

When Rebecca isn’t working you can usually find her lounging on the couch with her husband catching up on her TIVO or spending time doing her true favorite hobby… eating! If there is food around (especially Sprinkles Cupcakes), Rebecca is usually not too far behind. She thanks her mom everyday for blessing her with a fast metabolism.

Olwen Maher, VP of International Sales
Olwen Maher obtained an Honours degree in International Marketing and Languages from Dublin City University. She began her career as European Development Manager for Dublin's Financial services centre. Since 2000 Olwen freelanced as a marketing and business development consultant and ran her own cosmetic wholesale company in Ireland.

It was through this venture that Olwen met up with Marissa in 2008. She fell in love with theBalm and has embraced her role as VP of International Sales.

Erin Hummel, Office Manager
Erin's love for cosmetics drew her to working at a cosmetic counter for 5 years while going to school at San Francisco State as a Marketing major. When looking for a marketing internship it seemed too perfect to be real when she saw the ad for an intern who loves makeup and pugs, since she has a pug herself. As perfect as it could be, once she completed her marketing degree she was hired full time at theBalm as an office manager to take care of the daily tasks, with the help of her pug Guinevere.

Mary Ly, Office Assistant
Mary Ly is a graduate from San Francisco State University, double majoring in International Business and Marketing. Recently returning from a year-long study abroad program, she faced the hard realities of job-hunting. With previous experience in cosmetic retailing and participation in Hong Kong�s CosmoProf Asia Expo, Mary jumped at the opportunity to apply for a position at theBalm. With the entire hiring process recorded for the MTV Hired series, she beat out other hopeful applicants and won the hearts of theBalm team. Mary is currently working full-time with her chihuahua, Mochi Ly, in helping with projects and other daily office tasks.

Eloise "Wheezie" Shipman, Chief Pet Officer
For every dog owner, there is a story of how a dog changed a life. The same is true here. When Marissa met a doe-eyed pup from Napa just shy of six-weeks, it was love at first sight. Not a second later, Marissa jetted to San Francisco with a precious pug whom she'd lavish with love and name Eloise "Wheezie" Shipman. Together, this trendsetting pair have been living the fabulous life ever since!

Today, Wheezie is theBalm's Chief Pet Officer and Dirrrector of First Impressions. A sassy sista' with a passion for fashion, Wheezie, along with her pal, Huck, greet all people and pedigrees to walk through theBalm's doors. When Wheezie isn't helping rescue fellow pugs from broken homes, she enjoys long walks on the beach, canoodling with her favorite canines (Buddy, Huck and Norm), the latest Puppia fashions, chicken jerky treats and gabbing on her Grrrizon phone. Some of Wheezie's pet peeves are sirens, ruff days and apparel that won't fit her curvy bod.

Buddy Lotto Shipman-Hakkak, Pet President
Buddy grew up in Napa. We don't know much about him before the age of 5 because he was abandoned by his parents when they got a divorce (MEAN). He was very skinny and had some skin issues due to neglect but he was very lucky that his owners had the sense to call pug rescue when they gave him up. This is an all volunteer organization committed to preventing pugs from being euthanized. A wonderful lady who heads our local chapter named Gena Austin quickly found him a foster home...ours. When Wheezie took one look at Buddy it was love at first sight. She couldn't keep her eyes off of him and they kissed and cuddled all day long. They have been a happy couple ever since. Needless to say, we have officially adopted the Bud man. He is the sweetest dog in the world and he's never met an animal or human he doesn't like. He enjoys chicken jerky treats, going to the beach, sitting on people's feet, making out with Wheezie and belly rubs. How anyone could give him up is beyond me....but their loss is our gain. If you are interested in saving a pug or learning more please visit their website www.pugrescue.com.

Guinevere Hummel, Pet Patrol Officer
Once Erin met her cousin's pug Sonny, she fell in love with pugs and immediately had to get a pug of her own to love. It was love at first sight when she met Guinevere, the runt of the litter who definitely has a personality all of her own. Guinevere can sometimes be a pushy pug, but she is such a love and a loyal sidekick, she never leaves Erin's side. She loves car rides, playing fetch (well catching and sometimes bringing it back), long strolls through the park, and tummy rubs. She can never have enough snacks, but she has to watch her figure. Guinevere is so happy that she gets to come with her mom to work, and is taking on the role as the pet patrol officer, letting everyone know when a visitor has come to the door.

This site is dedicated to Marissa's grandfather, Harold V. Mark, the king of fabulous flavors and fragrances.