mariya nurislamova
Mariya Nurislamova: Innovating the Fragrance Experience
Mariya Nurislamova is a trailblazing entrepreneur who reimagined how people discover and enjoy fragrances. With a strong foundation in applied mathematics, computer science, and marketing, she has led several successful venture-backed beauty and tech startups.
Early Life & Education
- Originally from Russia, Mariya pursued a BS in Mathematics and Computer Science at Perm State Technical University, followed by a BBA in Marketing Management at Baruch College in New York.
- Her career began with roles including:
- Executive Assistant in telecom (2008)
- Regional Director at a speed-reading organization (2010)
- COO of tech firm Neuvey, and founder of Missionelle and Beta Week (2011–2013).
Scentbird: Fragrance Subscription Reimagined
- Founded in 2013–2014, Scentbird was born from her frustration with traditional perfume shopping—confusing, overwhelming, and often discouraging.
- The concept: customers can “date perfumes before marrying them”—a monthly subscription model delivering elegantly packaged 30-day samples of a wide range of designer fragrances.
- The innovation lies in blending tech with beauty:
- A recommendation algorithm helps users discover scents based on preference.
- The service avoids the “perfume graveyard” phenomenon—unused, full-sized bottles gathering dust.
Growth & Funding Achievements
- Y Combinator accepted Scentbird into its accelerator in 2015, fueling early growth.
- The company raised around $18.6 million in Series A—one of the largest rounds for a female-led DTC brand at the time.
- Other fundraising highlights include exceeding early targets and raising approximately $25 million.
Expansion & Ecosystem Building
Under Mariya’s leadership, Scentbird has evolved beyond fragrance sampling:
- Now offers 800+ fragrances and serves around 700,000 monthly subscribers across the U.S. and Canada, with sights set on European expansion.
- The company has diversified into adjacent beauty categories, including skincare and wellness.
Sister Brands & Ventures
Mariya also helms several other ventures under the Scentbird umbrella:
- Confessions of a Rebel – a community-influenced, gender-neutral fragrance brand
- Deck of Scarlet – a clean-makeup subscription brand featuring influencer collaborations and “good-for-you” ingredients
- Goodhabit – skincare focused on protection from blue light
- Sanctuary – a fragrance brand with an animal conservation mission.
Philosophy & Recognition
- Mariya is regularly recognized by Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) as a powerful beauty executive. She has spoken about the value of peer recognition in the beauty landscape and the importance of authentic recommendations.
- She emphasizes that women entrepreneurs should prioritize joy over money, maintain sustainable habits, and nurture their own well-being to better support others
Summary Table
Theme | Highlights |
Education | Mathematics & CS (Perm State Technical University); Marketing Management (Baruch College) |
Scentbird Launch | 2013–2014: Founded to simplify perfume discovery |
Growth Metrics | 800+ scents, ~700,000 subscribers, expansion plans |
Backing | Raised >$18M (Series A), participated in Y Combinator |
Portfolio Brands | Confessions of a Rebel; Deck of Scarlet; Goodhabit; Sanctuary |
Leadership Style | Tech-savvy, data-driven, community-engaged; advocates for women entrepreneurs |
In essence, Mariya Nurislamova has transformed the fragrance industry through innovation, personalization, and thoughtful entrepreneurship. Her journey from a curious child experimenting with perfume to a bold beauty-tech CEO is a testament to following one’s passion with conviction.
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