☕️ Coffee with Cristina

Quarterly mentorship for the next generation of women in beauty, venture, and beyond

“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”
—Maya Angelou

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One of the most meaningful mentorships in my career wasn’t formal.
There was no title, no agreement, just someone who believed in me and gave me the space to grow.

Elana Drell Szyfer, my first boss in the beauty industry, took me under her wing. I was coming from a traditional finance background (in investment banking and private equity) with little experience in beauty. She taught me so much more than the industry itself. She showed me what real leadership looks like. How to be resilient. How to navigate being an executive, a mom of three, a wife, and a daughter—all with strength and grace.

I don’t even think she realized she was mentoring me at the time. It wasn’t until years later, when I told her how instrumental she had been to my growth, that the label “mentor” even came up.

That’s the kind of mentorship I believe in.
No pressure. No titles. Just mutual respect and value on both sides.

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So here’s my way of paying it forward: Coffee with Cristina

A quarterly Group Zoom mentorship series for young women who want to:

• Break into the beauty industry

• Explore a career in venture capital

• Or simply navigate early career decisions with more clarity and confidence

Each 45-minute group session is a casual, honest conversation.
No pitch decks. No pressure. Just real talk about the journey, the pivots, the lessons, and how to keep moving forward.

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🧠 Mentorship isn't just for early career talent. It's essential for founders, too.

At True Beauty Ventures, we’ve seen firsthand how transformative mentorship can be, not just for individuals starting their careers, but for indie beauty brand founders navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.

That’s why we’ve made mentorship a key part of how we give back to the industry:

• Through TBV’s Bridge Mentorship Program in partnership with Beauty Independent, we offer emerging founders tailored, one-on-one support from the seasoned TBV and BI teams as well expert partners, operators, agencies, and other vendors in our ecosystem. The program is designed for those not yet at the stage for institutional funding but rich in potential.

• As a proud partner of the Ulta Beauty MUSE Accelerator, Rich Gersten and I mentor BIPOC beauty founders and help them access the resources, insights, and relationships needed to scale and achieve retail readiness.

• And with the Makers Mindset Accelerator developed by beauty founder and entrepreneur Nancy Twine, I work directly with founders to give them a rare glimpse behind the investor curtain, demystifying what investors look for and how to build enduring, fundable brands.

These programs are driven by one goal: to equip the next generation of founders with knowledge and access, two things that are often harder to come by than capital.

Mentorship isn’t charity. It’s infrastructure. It’s what builds stronger people, stronger brands, and ultimately a stronger industry.

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💡 A few quick thoughts on finding a mentor (as an emerging professional):

We’re often told “you need a mentor,” but no one really tells you how to find one.

In my experience, it rarely starts with a big ask like “Will you be my mentor?”
That’s too broad and often too much of a commitment for someone to say yes to.

Instead, start small:
💬 “Can I take you for a coffee?”
🕒 “Do you have 10 minutes for a quick question?”

The best mentorships aren’t assigned. They’re built.
They develop organically through genuine connection, and that connection comes from you doing the work:

• Read what they’ve written

• Watch the panels they’ve been on

• Listen to their interviews

• Then reach out with clear, specific asks they’re uniquely suited to help with

No one wants to receive a message that says: “I’d love to connect and hear your story,” especially if they’ve already shared it publicly.
Instead, come prepared, be intentional, and make it easy for someone to say yes.

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🛠 A few tips to keep in mind:

• Start small – Ask for 10–15 minutes, not a long-term commitment

• Be specific – Know exactly what insight or perspective you’re looking for

• Do your homework – Show you’ve invested in learning about them

• Make it easy – Offer calendar options, keep your ask short

• Follow up with gratitude – Strong relationships grow through respect and consistency

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👉 Click here to sign up to be considered for an upcoming “Coffee with Cristina” group mentorship session.
(And feel free to pass this along to someone who might benefit.)

Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal.
It just has to be real.

Looking forward to connecting,
— Cristina

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P.S. A heartfelt thank you to Elana. Your example shaped so much of who I am as a leader and mentor today. I’m forever grateful.