Take Five w/ Good Face Project Co-Founder & CEO Iva Teixeira
Operators are a wealth of knowledge that many want to tap into for their expertise. But they’re often booked and busy. That’s why we’re sitting down with VMG portfolio leadership teams to get the inside scoop about their journey and how we can learn from their experiences.
Iva Teixeira is the Co-Founder and CEO of VMG portfolio company the Good Face Project: a formulation, regulatory compliance and innovation software used by hundreds of leading cosmetic companies to build safe, compliant, transparent and effective products. Their cloud platform helps cosmetic companies grade their formulations against worldwide requirements for safe and sustainable products.
Iva is incredibly busy changing the face of the cosmetic industry (pun intended), so we kept it to five quick questions — let’s dive in:
🕰️ If you could turn back time, what would you tell your younger self during the first year of your business?
My entrepreneurial journey began well before Lena and I co-founded Good Face Project. It started the moment I made the decision to leave Bulgaria at 19 with just $3,000. Reflecting on my journey thus far, I only have love and encouragement for my young entrepreneurial spirit.
💭 What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received to date? And if you’re open to sharing, who gave you that advice?
“Just because something has already been done, it doesn’t mean it’s been done well. Do not be afraid to be better, think better, do better.” My co-founder, Lena, said this to me early on, when she and I had just met and were thinking about partnering to create Good Face. It’s an honor to be working shoulder to shoulder with her. The spirit of her advice is always with me.
🤔 You’re constantly faced with tough decisions as an entrepreneur. Is there a misstep that you look back on and think “If given the chance, here’s what I’d do differently.”
Lena and I have certainly made many mistakes while building Good Face. But we do not believe in regret, for every failure has either taught us volumes about what we ought not to do, or about what we ought to do next. If there is anything I would have encouraged us to do differently, it would be to try more things, talk to more people, make more mistakes faster, and then move ahead.
👏 What’s your proudest moment, personal or professional?
I take tremendous pride in having built a formidable team of genuinely good people who are driven by the common ambition to create groundbreaking technology and to lead its adoption, heart forward. Sometimes fellow Good Faces see me tear up in the middle of weekly meetings, and it is because I’m constantly in awe of our team’s capacity — and hunger — to grow together as a team.
✅ What are three must-have qualities you look for when hiring for your team?
Intellectual horsepower
Heart wholesomeness
Openness to the world
Our deepest thanks to Iva for taking the time to kick-off our “Take Five” series. Learn more about Good Face Project on their website and follow them on LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Iva Teixeira was not compensated for the above interview. Her commentary is included for educational purposes only and does not reflect the investment position or theses of VMG Partners.
