Dal LaMagna

Dal LaMagna is a serial entrepreneur, author, film producer, and activist recognized as the founder of Tweezerman, a global personal care tool brand. After experiencing more than 20 unsuccessful business ventures—including a computer dating service, waterbed store, drive-in disco, lasagna pan, and ice cream parlor—LaMagna established Tweezerman, building it into a multinational company known for responsible business practices in the beauty and grooming industry. He launched the company from his New York studio with an initial investment of $500, designing a precision eyebrow tweezer that became the foundation for a line of beauty tools.

Under LaMagna's leadership, Tweezerman expanded from a one-person operation to an international brand, offering products such as cuticle nippers, eyelash combs, and haircutting scissors, with approximately 200 SKUs. He developed product lines for various distribution channels, including Tweezerman Professional for Sally Beauty Supply, Spa Tweezerman for Bed Bath & Beyond and department stores, and Tweezerman Limited for chain drugstores like Walgreens and CVS. LaMagna implemented worker equity by allocating 20 percent of the company to employees and making Tweezerman a founding member of the B-Corporation movement. Upon selling the company for $57 million, employees collectively received $12 million. His memoir, "Raising Eyebrows: A Failed Entrepreneur Finally Gets It Right," provides insight into his business philosophy and approach to responsible entrepreneurship.

After the sale of Tweezerman, LaMagna invested in progressive startups and causes, and produced documentary films focused on social justice and peace. He supported films about the Iraq War, including "Iraq For Sale," "The Ground Truth," and "War Tapes." He also executive produced "Dying to Know," "The Last Dalai Lama?," "Doubting Thomas," and "War Child," and associate produced "Requiem For The American Dream" featuring Noam Chomsky.

LaMagna's activism extended into direct political engagement, including traveling to Iraq to attempt to broker a ceasefire between Iraqi rebels and American-led coalition forces, an experience documented on "This American Life." He ran for U.S. Congress twice in New York's 3rd Congressional District as a candidate for the Democrat, Working Families, and Green parties. Following Tweezerman, LaMagna served as CEO of IceStone, a manufacturer of sustainable countertops and surfaces made from recycled glass and cement. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a master's in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he was named a Littauer Fellow. Throughout his career, LaMagna has advocated for worker dignity, equal justice, and a foreign policy based on mutual respect.