What if the career you thought was your dream turned out to be the thing holding you back?
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 school 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.
She explains:
The hidden reality of the modeling industry
How she shifted her mindset from short-term cash to long-term ownership
The early struggles of raising money with no business background
Why smaller, dedicated audiences beat big influencers for growth
What aging taught her about self-worth and identity
The low point in her journey: a disaster that nearly wiped out her first product run
How she’s building a wellness brand that becomes a daily ritual
♡ 01. glow from the massage ♡
I love making my body care feel like a ritual. This is my go-to for smoothing, sculpting, and turning an ordinary night into a full reset.
♡ 02. sculpt session ♡
When I need a workout that lifts my mood and my energy fast, this is what I press play on. It’s feel-good movement that actually works.
♡ 03. fresh start cleanse ♡
I’m obsessed with a cleanser that makes my skin feel baby smooth. This one feels like a mini facial every time I use it.
♡ 04. glass skin step ♡
This is the kind of serum that makes my skin look expensive. Hydrated, bouncy, and lit from within.
♡ 05. vitamin c every day ♡
If my skin looks bright, it’s because I’m consistent. This is my daily glow insurance and I never skip it.
♡ 06. barrier repair ♡
When my skin needs comfort, this is what I reach for. It locks everything in and makes me wake up looking restored.
♡ 07. perfect shower set ♡
I use this shower duo for a spa-level reset, starting with the rice-and-cocoa scrub to smooth and glow, then finishing with the açaí-and-coconut gel to deeply cleanse while keeping my skin soft, hydrated, and refreshed.
♡ 08. under-eye perfection ♡
This is my secret for looking well-rested, even when I’m not. Bright, smooth, and easy to blend.
♡ 09. sculpt with a stone ♡
This is my favorite little tool for depuffing and lifting. I use it when I want my face to look snatched and fresh.
♡ 10. smooth confidence ♡
When I want to target texture and feel more confident in my skin, this is the routine I keep coming back to.
♡ Hot, Smart, Rich Tips ♡
♡ Hot Hack ♡
I don’t wear makeup on vacation. Zero. I fully unplug, let my skin breathe, and let “rest” be the beauty routine.
♡ Smart Hack ♡
I live in seasons. There are seasons to build, seasons to rest, and seasons to trust the timing. The smartest thing I’ve done is stop forcing every door open at once and focus on what’s actually aligned.
♡ Rich Tip ♡
Wealth, to me, is discernment. Saying no is a strategy. I protect my energy, choose partnerships carefully, and play the long game so I can build real equity, not just short-term momentum.
♡ Favorite Part of the Conversation ♡
Sitting down with Maggie felt like a deep exhale. I loved getting to talk about the real story, the messy middle, the pivots, and what it takes to build something sustainable, not just impressive on paper.
♡ Something People Don’t Know About You ♡
People assume I’m polished and “on” all the time, but I’m actually super goofy and soft. I’ll cry in meetings, laugh mid-pitch, and talk to my team like they’re my best friends. I care a lot, and I don’t try to hide it.
♡ About The Guest ♡
Mari Fonseca - Founder and CEO of Gente Beauty
Mari (Marianne) Fonseca is a Brazilian model and entrepreneur, best known as the Founder and CEO of Gente Beauty, a Brazilian-inspired body care brand built around the at-home lymphatic drainage ritual. Fonseca began modeling at 15 and went on to work internationally, later channeling her on-set experience with body prep and Brazilian wellness routines into a brand with a clear point of view: body care that helps people feel confident in their own skin.
Founded in 2022, Gente brings Brazil’s “body-first” beauty culture to a wider audience, pairing native Brazilian ingredients with innovative biotech-driven skincare actives across sculpting and smoothing essentials designed for all body types.
Beyond product, Fonseca speaks openly about self-acceptance and the “sexy spirit” of Brazil, emphasizing routines that feel empowering rather than punishing. The brand has also drawn attention in the beauty world and has received outside investment as it scales.