We had the good fortune of connecting with Tari Kandemiri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tari, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Having played field hockey and lacrosse throughout High School, in college, and recreationally, I started noticing dark spots and hyperpigmentation on my skin. I would go to different retailers and try to find the best products to address the issues I was facing, but found myself overwhelmed by the number of options on the shelf! Every product promised to help me and give me “the best skin ever,” but it was hard to know what exactly could work for me. I spent a lot of time reading reviews and watching YouTube videos, and what I realized was that this readily available product data, the information and reviews themselves, could be used to help shoppers quickly narrow down and identify the best products for their skin! I could use that data to answer my own question, “what is the best product to address hyperpigmentation for a 24 year old Black woman?”

What should our readers know about your business?
Hama Beauty (hamabeauty.com) is an online platform that uses data science to recommend the best beauty and skincare products for you based on your Age, Skin Type, Skin Tone, and Skincare Concerns. Consumers receive tailored product recommendations, and can then purchase the recommended products from leading retailers. I have an honors degree in Computer Science and a minor in Business, and I have always dreamed of owning my own company that would allow me to merge my love for technology and business. My understanding of algorithms and the workflow of making data-driven decisions, combined with the frustration of not being able to identify the products I needed, pushed me to get creative with my own solution. Creating a startup has been a crazy journey, but seeing my vision come to life and seeing consumers find the right products tailored to their skin makes all the work so worth it! I am a solo founder and paid for all of the costs to start my business out of my own savings. I handled part of the development of the platform myself, hiring an intern and freelancers as needed, identifying the correct legal team to assist me in patenting the algorithm that powers the site, and now preparing to raise my first round of funding so I can expand the platform’s reach. It can be challenging to balance this with working full-time, but I am so passionate about Hama Beauty, what it is today, and where it is going; I do not want to stop. Hama, in my native language, Shona, means family and friends. When I need help, I always turn to my family and friends for advice. I want this platform to become the universal friend for anyone looking to discover beauty and skincare products, without the stress or hassle of wading through hundreds of products.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Welcome to Atlantaaaa! First, we’ve gotta get brunch at Cafe Intermezzo. I think I could qualify for a lifetime membership to the Midtown location, I’m always there! I love sitting by the window so I can people watch. Then, we’ll take a walk and circle around Piedmont Park to stretch our legs. Let’s not forget to pick up some red velvet cupcakes from Georgtown Cupcake, I love that place! After a nap, we’ll get dressed up and have drinks on my balcony, then head to Pasha for dinner. I love their kebabs, and the chairs are so plushy. After Pasha, it’s time to go to Buckhead or Edgewood. In Buckhead, there’s a new bar with a “Psychic Reading” sign my best friend and I love. In Edgewood, it’s a bit of a hike but the Pink Peacock is the place to be. Shoutout to the DJ for always playing the dancehall and afrobeats. We might take a little break and walk back to Edgewood Pizza, or end the night at Church. The ride home is always my favorite part because that means it’s bedtime. People always ask me when I sleep, and I promise I always find the time. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to my friends and family who have been my biggest cheerleaders since the inception of my idea for Hama Beauty! They all took market research surveys, beta tested the platform, and helped me spread the word when I launched. They have kept me inspired even in moments of discouragement, and I truly would not be here without their love and support.

Website: https://hamabeauty.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamabeautyinc/ & https://www.instagram.com/tarikandemiri/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarirokandemiri/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/officiallaxgirl

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBMMuCyxnQUK0feS_El00MA

Other: I’m also an avid lacrosse player and just launched a new show with ESPN, ‘Sound On with Tari & Amari’! This is such an exciting opportunity and we’ve received wonderful feedback so far. You can catch our episodes on my other Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/officiallaxgirl/.

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