Beauty Meets Grit:
From her basement in Canoe, BC, to national stages like Dragons’ Den, Missy MacKintosh is shaking up both the beauty and sports worlds with a bold vision and unstoppable grit. As the founder of MisMacK Clean Cosmetics and the creator of GamePlay Eye Black, the first-ever clean Eye Black for athletes, she’s proving that success isn’t about following the rules, but rewriting them with purpose. In this IKONIK Conversation, Missy opens up about grit, beauty, motherhood, and the movement she’s building: one kit, one athlete, and one fearless idea at a time.
Interview Questions (Q&A)
Let’s keep your answers in your authentic voice, punchy, real, and inspiring.
1.What inspired the launch of MisMacK Clean Cosmetics?
Honestly? Frustration and passion. As a creative and bridal makeup artist, I couldn’t find clean products with the pigment to create magic or the staying power to last all day. So, I partnered with two incredible female Canadian chemists and built what didn’t exist, multi-use, pro-performing clean cosmetics made in Canada. MisMacK started in my basement in Canoe, BC, and was built on grit, innovation, and the belief that clean beauty should never mean compromise.
- You’ve grown an award-winning brand from a small-town basement. What mindset helped you push through challenges, especially with no formal business background?
I leaned into the “figure-it-out” mindset. I didn’t have an MBA, I had guts, Google, and a fire in my belly. Every setback became fuel. I’ve always believed if the door doesn’t open, build your own damn door. That mindset carried me through every challenge, from cash flow chaos to Dragons' Den.
- Tell us about GamePlay Eye Black, how did the idea come to life, and what does it represent for you?
GamePlay Eye Black was inspired by my son, Evan. One day at baseball, I realized all the traditional eye black was full of toxins, and I thought, “Not on my kid.” So we created Canada’s first clean, performance-grade eye black. It represents protection, empowerment, and rewriting the rules, for athletes who want to play their game, their way.
- You appeared on Dragons’ Den with your son and a team of kids, how did that moment feel? What impact has it had?
It was one of the most powerful moments of my life. Evan and I stormed the Den with ten kids, not just to pitch a product, but to spark a movement. We raised national awareness about what we’re putting on our kids’ skin. Since then, we’ve partnered with Source for Sports Canada and KidSport Canada, with $1 from every GamePlay stick and $5 from every Grit Kit going back to help kids play. And the best part? Arlene Dickinson bought a prototype, proof we’re onto something big.
5. You often talk about “grit.” What does grit mean to you, and how do you live it?
Grit is showing up, especially when everything feels like it’s falling apart. It’s staying grounded when you want to give up, and getting up one more time than you fall. Grit is launching a product while going through personal heartbreak. Grit is choosing growth over comfort, again and again.
- What’s your vision for The Grit Kits? And why is supporting kids in sports such a big part of your mission?
The Grit Kit isn’t just a clean sports cosmetic, it’s a symbol. A toolkit for confidence. A movement. My vision is to see it clipped onto gear bags across Canada and beyond. And supporting kids in sport? That’s deeply personal. Every child deserves a chance to play, to build resilience, to belong. That’s why $5 from every kit goes to KidSport Canada.
- You’ve received amazing recognition, from Top 40 Under 40 to Real Leaders awards. What’s a piece of advice you’d give to underestimated entrepreneurs?
Bet on yourself, loudly and unapologetically. You don’t need permission to chase your vision. Surround yourself with people who see your magic and remind you of it when you forget. And when the world underestimates you? Let that fuel your fire.
8.What’s next for you, and what kind of legacy are you hoping to leave through your work?
I want MisMacK and GamePlay to be more than brands, I want them to be movements that shift culture. My legacy? To empower the next generation to rise with grit, to break barriers, and to feel seen. I want to be remembered as the woman who didn’t just create products, she created change.
- How do you balance your personal life and the demands of running multiple businesses? Are there moments when you struggle with work-life balance, and how do you manage that?
Balance is a myth, it’s more like a dance. Some days I lead, some days I cry on the internet. I’m a mom, a founder, a woman figuring it out. I’ve learned to protect my energy, ask for help, and forgive myself for the messy parts. My son is my why, he reminds me what matters most.
- What is one of the hardest lessons you’ve learned on your entrepreneurial journey so far, and how did you turn that lesson into a stepping stone for success?
One of the hardest lessons? Learning to lead without a roadmap. When you’re building something that’s never existed, like Sports Colour Cosmetics, there’s no manual. I had to get comfortable making bold decisions without all the answers. That lesson taught me to trust the process, take messy action, and grow into the leader I was becoming.
- You’ve often mentioned the importance of building purpose-driven businesses. How do you ensure that MisMacK Clean Cosmetics and GamePlay Eye Black stay aligned with your mission of clean beauty and social good?
We say no to what doesn’t serve the mission. Every product, every partner, every decision, we run it through the filter of impact. Are we helping people feel good inside and out? Are we giving back? Are we disrupting the industry for the better? If the answer isn’t “hell yes,” it’s a no. Purpose isn’t a side note here, it’s the whole script.
12.Where do you see the clean beauty industry heading in the next 5–10 years, and what role do you see MisMacK Clean Cosmetics playing in shaping its future?
Clean beauty is finally demanding performance. Consumers are done compromising. In 5–10 years, “clean” will be the baseline, not the differentiator. MisMacK is already ahead of that curve, we’re setting the bar higher. Our role? To lead the charge, to innovate relentlessly, and to make clean beauty as fierce and fearless as the people who wear it.
🎵 Song that captures her journey:
Because this movement is powered by passion, purpose, and the kind of grit that doesn’t back down.
Missy MacKintosh – Founder & CEO of MisMacK Clean Cosmetics | Creator of GamePlay Eye Black
Missy MacKintosh is the award-winning founder behind MisMacK Clean Cosmetics, Canada’s pro-performing clean beauty brand, and the creator of GamePlay Eye Black, the first-ever toxic-free eye black for athletes. From her basement in Canoe, BC, Missy built MisMacK with grit, creativity, and a mission to prove that clean beauty can outperform mainstream.
A professional makeup artist turned entrepreneur, Missy partnered with two female Canadian chemists to craft multi-use, high-pigment products that empower all ages and skin tones, without compromise. Her latest innovation, the Grit Kit, blends sports and self-expression through a new category she’s pioneering: Sports Colour Cosmetics.
Seen on Dragons’ Den, featured in Real Leaders and Insight Success, and recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40, Missy is redefining what it means to lead with purpose. Through her national partnership with KidSport Canada, she’s helping ensure every child gets the chance to play, with confidence, colour, and grit.
Connect with Missy ↓
🌐 www.mismack.com
📸 @mismackcleancosmetics
🏅 @game.play.eye.black
