From experimenting with lip balms in her kitchen to co-founding a globally acclaimed cosmetics brand, Marissa Shipman has forged her own path in beauty, ethics, and advocacy.
Alongside her husband—finance leader Andre Hakkak—she balances boardroom strategy with heartfelt purpose.
This post explores her spirited journey, uncovering challenges, resilience, and their shared vision for impact.
👨💼Andre A. Hakkak Life
- Position: Co-Founder & CEO of White Oak Global Advisors (since 2007)
- Firm Details:
- Manages over $10 billion in assets, deploying over $24 billion in capital to more than 20,000 SMEs across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia
- Pioneered loan solutions with extensive ESG and impact offerings (over $6 billion in ESG investments)
- Previous Roles:
- Founder & CIO of Alpine Global (2000–2007)
- Founder & Portfolio Manager at Suisse Global Investments
- Investment Banker & Principal at Robertson Stephens & Co.
🎓 Education & Credentials
- B.S. in Finance & Marketing, Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
- Holds FINRA licenses: Series 7, 63, and 24 since 1991
🌍 Leadership & Thought Leadership
- Frequently speaks at major financial conferences (Milken Institute, FII)
- Quoted in top-tier business media (Bloomberg, Reuters, Pensions & Investments)
- A proactive advocate for ESG, including climate-conscious financing initiatives
💰 Estimated Net Worth
- According to TechBullion, his net worth is estimated between $100–200 million as of 2024
- Other sources cite a broader range up to $10 billion, though this appears significantly inflated and lacks corroboration
✅ Summary at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Andre A. Hakkak |
| Role | Co-Founder & CEO, White Oak Global Advisors |
| Assets Under Management | $10B+ |
| Total Lending Disbursed | $24B+ |
| ESG Investments | $6B+ |
| Education | B.S. Finance & Marketing, UC Berkeley |
| Certifications | FINRA Series 7, 63, 24 |
| Net Worth Estimate | $100–200 million (conservative estimate) |
👩❤️👨 Andre Hakkak’s Wife: Who She Is
- Name: Marissa Shipman
She is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, notably the founder and CEO of theBalm Cosmetics - Business Venture:
Launched theBalm Cosmetics in 2004 from her home kitchen. The brand became known for its clean, cruelty-free makeup, sold in over 100 countries - Philanthropy & Leadership:
Actively promotes women’s empowerment, sustainability, and ethical beauty through both her company and charitable initiatives
📌Andre Hakkak Wife Bio Table
📅 Relationship & Family
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| First Met | Around 2012, at a tech or business conference |
| Married | Ceremonies referenced in 2011 or 2015, exact date varies by source |
| Children | They have two children: a daughter (commonly named Sophia or Ava, born circa 2012–2016) and a younger son born around 2018–2019 |
| Residence | Based in Coral Gables, Florida, in a $13.6M estate purchased in 2020 |
🧾 Marissa Shipman’s Age
- According to a 2007 interview in Fortune/CNN, Marissa was 33 years old when she founded theBalm in 2003—a detail confirmed in that article
• Born around 1973–1974, which would make her about 51–52 in 2025. - A more recent public directory claims she was born in February 1989 and is 36, but this lacks verification and contradicts the earlier source
✅ Likely Timeline:
| Year | Age | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | ~29 | Started theBalm in her kitchen |
| 2007 | 33 | Verified by Fortune/CNN |
| 2025 | ~51–52 | Based on birth in 1973–74 |
Marissa Shipman Heigh
Marissa Shipman height is listed about at 5′ 8″ (173 cm)
💰 Marissa Shipman’s Net Worth
Unfortunately, Marissa Shipman’s individual net worth isn’t publicly verified—neither her physical net worth nor income from theBalm Cosmetics has been officially disclosed in audited records.
However, we do know some key points:
- She’s the founder and CEO of theBalm Cosmetics, a clean, cruelty-free beauty brand launched in 2004 from her kitchen in San Francisco
- theBalm has grown exponentially—selling in over 100 countries, opening a flagship store, and reaching reported $24.9 million revenue in 2024
- The company was valued highly—as evidenced by her and Andre Hakkak’s $27.5 million sale of their Coral Gables mansion in 2024
- Her husband, Andre Hakkak, has an estimated net worth of around $200 million
🧾 Estimate Net Worth
| Metric | Estimate & Context |
|---|---|
| Marissa’s personal net worth | Not publicly disclosed—but likely in the single-digit millions |
| theBalm business revenue (2024) | $24.9 million |
| Lifestyle indicators | $27.5 M home sale suggests significant net assets |
| Andre’s net worth | Approx. $200 million, supporting the couple’s combined wealth |
Early Life & Education 🎓
- Born and raised in New York City, Marissa developed a passion for storytelling and business early on
- She earned a B.A. in Theater marketing from Tulane University
- Briefly worked in TV production—gaining creative skills that later became invaluable in branding
🎨 Marissa Shipman Career: Founder & CEO of theBalm Cosmetics
Beginnings in San Francisco (2000–2004)
- Originally working in TV production and media, Marissa became passionate about the beauty industry
- Taught herself cosmetic formulation from 11 books; her first product—a beeswax lip balm—was made in her kitchen using simple ingredients like beeswax, shea, and castor oil
Launching theBalm (2004)
- Officially founded theBalm Cosmetics in 2004, specializing in playful, multi-functional makeup
- In the first year (2004–05), the brand debuted with ~$2 million in sales, securing spots at retailers like Sephora, Fred Segal, and Henri Bendel despite having no industry contacts
Brand Growth & Distinct Identity
- Developed whimsical, pin-up inspired packaging, delivering affordable, cruelty-free, chemical-controlled makeup products
- Gained celebrity traction—icons like Cher used her products, and magazines such as InStyle (2001) and Cosmopolitan (2007) featured theBalm’s quirky yet high-quality offerings
Brick-and-Mortar Footprint (2014)
- Opened a flagship store on Valencia Street, San Francisco, in March 2014
- The store offered a unique “Quiet on the Set” service—professional tutorials filmed for customers—blending in-store experience with digital engagement
Advocacy & Longevity
- A long-standing advocate for clean beauty, creating paraben- and cruelty-free formulas from the start
- Having led her brand for over 20 years, she remains active in product innovation and stayed ahead of trends while maintaining her vision .
✅ Career Snapshot Table
| Phase | Details |
|---|---|
| DIY Cosmetics | Self-taught formulation techniques in the kitchen |
| Brand Launch | Founded theBalm Cosmetics in 2004 |
| Early Sales | $2M in first-year revenue (2004–05) |
| Unique Packaging | Pin-up & retro aesthetics; celebrity & press features |
| Flagship Store | Opened in SF in 2014 with innovative in-store service |
| Clean Beauty Focus | Paraben-free, cruelty-free products from day one |
| Brand Longevity | 20+ years of sustained growth and innovation |
From Julep to theBalm
- Co-founded Julep Beauty in 2007—an early attempt that taught her about market fit and operational challenges
- In 2004 (overlapping Julep), she independently launched theBalm Cosmetics—hand-mixed lip balms from her kitchen
- Learned formulation basics via books and trial/error—a true DIY education
- First triumph: Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter, which later became a cult classic
Ethics, Sustainability & Product Innovation 🌱
- Committed to cruelty-free, talc-free cosmetics from the start
- Retro, vintage-inspired packaging distinguished theBalm in a crowded market
- Expanded into EcoFabulous, a Gen-Z clean-beauty brand—70% acquired by Amyris for quality ingredients
- Products now sold in over 100 countries, with more than 100 SKUs and $24.9 million revenue in 2024
Navigating Real Business Challenges
- Faced skepticism from retailers and cosmetic manufacturers—“multiple major companies” declined her early pitches
- Built her own lab after kitchen trials—handling supply chain headaches firsthand
- Balanced quirky branding with serious product development to win Sephora distribution
United in Love & Business: Partnership with Andre Hakkak 🤝
- Met in 2012 at an industry conference; married shortly thereafter .
- Andre Hakkak, CEO of White Oak Global Advisors, brings deep financial expertise—managing over $10 B in assets
- They support each other mutually: she contributes brand vision, he lends financial strategy—and both champion ethical business
- Together, they’ve made real estate investments, including a $13.6 M mansion in Coral Gables and a Pinecrest home
Advocacy & Philanthropy 💕
- Board member of Project Glimmer, helping underprivileged girls with confidence and formalwear
- Supports women entrepreneurs, environmental causes, and ethical beauty
- Invests in scholarships and STEM/financial literacy initiatives alongside her husband .
How They Balance Career & Family
- Maintain a disciplined but loving routine:
- Weekly date nights—no work talk
- Shared hobbies: cooking, hiking, travel
- Clear boundaries between business and home
- Weekly date nights—no work talk
- They employ mutual veto power on major decisions and frequent emotional check-ins .
Public Presence & Style
- Marissa stays low-key, making occasional appearances at philanthropic events
- Her aesthetic is timeless—neutral palettes, clean design, minimal personal branding .
- This reserved approach earns respect and keeps the spotlight on her work rather than her personal life .
Legacy & Future Outlook 🌍
- theBalm continues innovating with cruelty-free, multipurpose products tailored to travel and global distribution
- EcoFabulous may expand under Amyris’s partnership.
- They plan to increase philanthropic involvement through foundations or award programs
- Their story positions them as role models for marriage, entrepreneurial integrity, and ethical leadership.
Conclusion
Marissa Shipman proves that success rooted in creativity, ethics, and grit can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with business-savvy partners like Andre Hakkak.
Their story is proof that bold vision and disciplined execution can transform kitchen experiments into global brands—and personal love into purposeful partnership.
Ready to start your own impact-driven venture? Learn from Marissa’s journey: embrace failure, prioritize ethics, and build strong support systems.