Nikos Mouyiaris

The founder of MANA Products, Nikos Mouyiaris started the cosmetics company in 1975 with a $6,000 loan from his brother. Educated as a chemist, he spent a year working at Chesebrough-Pond’s, Inc., following completion of his graduate work and became interested in the intersection between chemistry and women’s cosmetics. Nikos Mouyiaris’ technical expertise and business savvy have allowed MANA to flourish over the last 38 years. Today, the company creates distinctive formulas for a variety of leading cosmetics companies.

A natural entrepreneur since childhood, Nikos Mouyiaris recalls selling candy to his classmates. He also bought eggs from the local women in his native village of Athienou, Cyprus, later packing and reselling them to the village merchants for a profit. In addition to entrepreneurship, he learned about cooperatives from a great uncle who ran the agricultural cooperative in Athienou. Nikos Mouyiaris has applied these childhood lessons to his professional career: beyond his work with MANA, he has used his profits to fund a cooperative that helps women start their own businesses and become community leaders.