During my internship at Clement, a San Francisco–based startup that makes compostable packaging for beauty brands, I helped strengthen the company’s product marketing and customer outreach. Clement’s mission is to reduce plastic waste by providing packaging that is both functional and environmentally responsible. I supported this mission by crafting a comprehensive marketing strategy and leading a website overhaul. My work included market research on sustainable packaging, the consumer goods and beauty sectors, and regulatory developments in the United States and Europe. I analyzed competitors and conducted win–loss interviews to develop ideal customer profiles and buyer personas. I then used these insights to develop a messaging and positioning framework, define clear value propositions, highlight customer use cases, and tailor messages by customer segment. The revamped website reflects this strategy and offers brands a clearer path to adoption, strengthening engagement and retention.

I drew directly on skills from my MBA courses. Entrepreneurial Selling informed how I networked and pitched product samples at a conference in Las Vegas. The Business and Climate Change class provided a broad understanding of American environmental regulations and the economic levers driving corporate sustainability, which helped frame my research and assess extended producer responsibility policies. Panel discussions hosted by the Marketing Association at Columbia Business School sharpened my approach to win–loss interviews; I learned to ask open‑ended, empathetic questions and to synthesize feedback into actionable insights.

One challenge was adapting classroom techniques to a startup’s reality. I initially planned to run A/B tests to refine messaging, but our small email list limited statistical power. Instead, I collected qualitative feedback and ran small, iterative pilots. Another challenge was balancing planning with execution. My instinct was to devote significant time to documentation and frameworks, but in a fast‑moving environment momentum matters. I learned to launch imperfect versions and improve them over time, prioritizing progress over perfection.

This experience broadened my expertise in product marketing and strategy. I designed and implemented initiatives from customer research to website optimization and drove significant impact in a short period. I also deepened my understanding of circularity in beauty and gained practical insights into navigating a global patchwork of environmental regulations across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. I look forward to continuing my work with Clement during the fall and am grateful to the Tamer Center for supporting this opportunity.