2022 Honorees

Criney Insalata

Co-Founder

“I have always been a great believer in having a diverse team of people who bring a different point of view from mine.”

Innovator2022

Tell us about where you work and what you do there.

I am the Co-Founder of BOBOU BEAUTY. I started my career in advertising working for big agencies and then moved over to design agencies where I worked on international corporate and startup projects. After my MBA, the decision to be an entrepreneur came naturally. I have always loved the beauty industry and its propensity for fast innovation and constant change. At BOBOU my main responsibility is managing our growth and bringing on board strategic partners.

How would you describe yourself?

Impulsive. I generally do not like planning too far ahead, and I love the flexibility of not being constrained by a rigid plan. I thrive when faced with seemingly impossible challenges. When not working, I enjoy open water swimming, a good book, and good wine. I live between London and Puglia (Italy). My dog Bruno is my partner in crime — we both love swimming!

Innovation is at the heart of advancements in eCommerce. Do you have any thoughts or advice around maintaining an innovative edge?

I pay very close attention to global politics, cultural and economic discourse, and can draw insights on what is shaping trends. I have always been a great believer in having a diverse team of people who bring a different point of view from mine. I also generally love to spend time with young people as they are usually the drivers of innovation.

What do you think has been your biggest professional success so far?

Launching BOBOU in the middle of a pandemic and gaining traction when no one was dressing up or leaving the house. It has been a journey, with many obstacles, but I am really pleased that I did not give up and just kept pushing.  I am mostly proud of all the achievements we have made over the course of 18 months.

Pattern art Pattern art

What goals do you have for 2022?

2022 for me is a year of major milestones. I would like to see BOBOU in major retailers, and we are working on an innovative line of cosmetics. So, nothing BIG 🙂

What do you think is the next big trend in eCommerce?

I think it is likely to be hyper personalization using AI. I think consumers are no longer responsive to random recommendations, and are looking for meaningful and relevant engagement with brands.

Name an eCommerce brand you admire and why.

It has got to be Amazon. The customer experience is uncontested. Love or hate them, but we can not deny how Amazon is laser-focused on delivering a painless customer journey.

What do you geek out over?

Blockchain technology, understanding the nascent Metaverse and the possibilities and opportunities that are coming out of that.