Lisa Pamintuan is a classic athlete entrepreneur: with the vision, grit, and stick-to-itiveness most women athlete entrepreneurs demonstrate. A tennis star that made it to juniors finals at the US Open and Wimbledon, her early life foretold a successful business career later. But how a tennis phenomenon from Northwest Indiana ends up a retail entrepreneur in Palm Beach, Florida is a great story. Hope you enjoy our exclusive #hacksnewletter Q&A with Lisa, below.
AJR: How did you find yourself an entrepreneur in the retail world of Palm Beach, Florida?!
LP: After sustaining an injury while playing tennis at the US Open and Wimbledon juniors, I decided to attend law school, even though she never wanted to be a lawyer. On a flight, I met
Donald Spector, who encouraged me to consider a different career path after graduation, offering me a position at one of his companies. I accepted his offer, moved to New York, and gained valuable experience in retail before transitioning to his record company in Los Angeles. Eventually, I became the president of the New York College of Health Professions, where Spector served as Chairman and arranged for me to be mentored by the founder of the New York Institute of Technology.
When he semi-retired to Palm Beach, I followed him to help reorganize his scattered assets. Before meeting Spector, I was unaware of his impressive background as the inventor of one of the first SuperApps (location-based advertising) and a pioneer in various industries, from the first hydraulic exerciser to having partnerships with Bristol Myers Squibb during the golden age of Charles of the Ritz. He was instrumental in developing the first electronic fragrances and collaborated with Robert Miller during the launches of YSL, Opium, and Versace. Spector also partnered with Giorgio Sant Angelo, earning a Clio award, which opened doors for me to connect with many top designers around the world.
In Florida, I established Worldipi.com, a company focused on consolidating hundreds of unlicensed trademarks and patents. Palm Beach, which has now emerged as the luxury capital of the United States, inspired me to create Nicolas of Palm Beach, a brand that embodies the leisurely lifestyle of the area with simple elegance.
AJR: Given that Palm Beach is one of the capitals of high fashion at this point in America, what is your strategy and how is it differentiated amongst the dozens of gorgeous retail establishments in Palm Beach?
LP: Initially, our product line featured an extensive collection of jewelry valued in the tens to hundreds of millions, but I pivoted towards accessories and fragrances, as launching a luxury brand centered around high-value jewelry would be challenging. I saw potential in utilizing Python skins, an invasive species, as they are both beautiful and environmentally sustainable. I later expanded our offerings to include leather, pleather, and beach bags, collaborating with athletic and surfing personalities. Our clothing line will incorporate advanced textile technologies, and we plan to launch it alongside our pivotal patented clothing line.
To remain competitive as a new luxury brand, we collaborate with global manufacturers, primarily starting in Southeast Asia due to established relationships with local factories. However, we also sought unique fragrances from Argentina and are exploring collaborations in Africa, South America, and Canada, including an alcohol line from the Caribbean. Today, global sourcing is essential for maintaining price and material competitiveness.
AJR: If you had to pick one, which i know is impossible, which is your current favorite product in your flagship line?
LP: One of my favorite products in our line is the flagship halter top, which we plan to launch in the summer of 2025. In the meantime, I’m particularly fond of our quality Python bags.
Due to the cost of our higher-end products, we face insurance challenges with typical retail locations. Therefore, in the immediate future, we will focus on selling at trunk shows, private clubs, and online at Nicolas of Palm Beach before our main flagship launch.
Be one of the first to discover the elegant and distinctive products launched by Lisa Pamintuan at www.nicolasofpalmbeach.com. You can get 40% off and free shipping with the code: EMPOWER.
