Anna Santeramo is speaking up on her giant leap from working full-time as a lawyer to taking risks and becoming an entrepreneur. A former attorney for the New York Biglaw, the CEO and co-founder of STYLEBEE has opened up about coming up with her own app to help customers in booking beauty services, and possibly products, at their own homes.
Santeramo’s goal to create and expand STYLEBEE was brought on by the problem that in-house counsel are faced with. The company believes that professionals should look clean and polished to increase their confidence, and even productivity, at work. With a refined image, these professionals can expect to elicit respect from their clients.
A wide range of studies has found that appearance is a key component for women in the workplace to achieve promotions and advancements. Although beauty services are not a main priority for some female professionals, Santeramo seeks for STYLEBEE to take down the barrier between career and personal care.
Born in Italy, the former attorney’s goals are comprised of making beauty services easily available and affordable compared to having to go to a salon. Santeramo also hopes to bring empowerment to women, given that majority of female beauty professionals come from less privileged backgrounds.
Leaving her notable, high-paying job at the law firm, Santeramo paved the way to utilizing mobile technology for increased accessibility of beauty services. The businesswoman also opened up about taking inspiration from the late tech giant mogul Steve Jobs.
“Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you,” she quoted. “And you can change it, influence it, and build your own things that other people can use. Once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again.” Although in-house lawyers may not be the traditional group of professionals to concentrate on physical appearance and beauty services, Santeramo’s point of view remains a helpful reminder that each individual can be capable of bringing change and making an impact on organizations and communities.
