Early Life: Leaving Brazil at 16

Mari Fonseca breaks down what it really takes to build a brand with no formal business education or understanding of finance – and why she walked away from a long, successful career as a model.

Mari Fonseca is a former international model and the founder of Gente, a body care company focused on lymphatic drainage and wellness rituals - now Hailey Bieber’s favorite brand in this space. In this conversation, she shares why she dropped out of college at 16, how she became an entrepreneur, and the practical steps, mindset shifts, and challenges she faced turning her idea into a real business. Mari also opens up about her relationship with Drew from The Chainsmokers, and why building a business felt like the only path that truly aligned with her ambitions - rather than stepping into a more traditional role.

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[00:00] Intro

[2:19] Growing Up in Brazil & Leaving Home At 16 To Model

[5:32] Reliving Your Childhood as an Adult

[6:33] The Harsh Reality of the Modeling Industry

[9:57] Breaking the “Pretty, Not Smart” Stereotype As A Model

[11:27] From Cash to Equity: Rethinking How to Build Wealth

[13:51] Why I Feel More Confident In My 30s Than I Did In My 20s

[15:40] The Hardest Part About Leaving Modeling for Business

[17:48] Why I Don’t Enjoy Modeling Anymore

[18:17] How People Treat Me Differently as a Business Owner

[19:38] Fundraising as a Female Founder: What I Learned

[23:15] Why Big Followings Don’t Always Drive Sales

[24:37] Hailey Bieber Favorite Brand: The Halo Effect

[26:20] How Long It Takes to See Gente Lymphatic Results

[27:30] My Lymphatic Drainage Routine & Glow Tips

[29:08] Turning Gente Into a Self-Care Ritual

[30:42] The Most Effective Way to Glow Up

[31:49] How I Manifested My Beauty Brand Into Nordstrom

[33:10] The Lows of Starting My Business

[35:01] The Boundaries Every Business Owner Needs

[38:47] Rapid Fire: From “I Didn’t Want a Wedding” to Latest Purchase

[45:29] Gente Discount Code & Where to Follow Mari

HSR Angels get 20% off at Gente with code HSR20 at gentebeauty.com

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Follow Mari Fonseca & Gente Beauty:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariannefonseca

Gente Website: https://gentebeauty.com/

Gente Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gentebeauty

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Hot Smart Rich is your place to hear unfiltered conversations with the people shaping the future of culture, creators, startups and community. Hosted by Maggie Sellers, investor and media powerhouse, and guests breaking the mold, you’ll get the real deal as it relates to navigating the startup fast lane, leveling up your life or becoming your hottest, smartest, richest self. New episodes weekly on Wednesdays.

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