Bethany Newell is a designer, entrepreneur and creative leader with more than three decades of experience spanning beauty, luxury real estate and brand development. She has established herself as a multifaceted entrepreneur and creative force, demonstrating expertise spanning real estate investment, design, beauty and cosmetics. “I’ve always believed thoughtful design is not merely aesthetic — it’s structural integrity,” said Ms. Newell, adding, “enduring impact is built through intention, innovation and purposeful execution.”
Ms. Newell began her professional career at an early age with Merle Norman, where she quickly distinguished herself through leadership, client development and exceptional sales performance. She went on to work with internationally recognized beauty houses including Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Christian Dior, Clinique and Yves Saint Laurent. She played a key role in the successful launch of Paula Dorf Cosmetics early in her career. Throughout her work in the beauty industry, she contributed to product development, quality control and color architecture for some of the category’s most recognizable brands — while expanding Yves Saint Laurent’s presence in the U.S. market, she achieved the distinction of the number one sales position in the country, a reflection of her disciplined approach to skincare, color strategy and client loyalty.
Ms. Newell’s foundation in real estate and hospitality took shape through her work with Leggat McCall Properties, where she participated in the management of more than one million square feet of commercial office space, deepening her expertise in operations, tenant relations and asset management. She later served as executive director of cruise line relations for Digital Seas International, where she worked within a three-person leadership team responsible for the company’s growth and industry visibility. Conducting vessel site inspections and coordinating implementation initiatives with major cruise fleets during the early adoption of onboard internet infrastructure, her work proved instrumental in positioning the company for its eventual acquisition.
Ms. Newell’s professional accomplishments have been recognized by Forbes. Her work has also been featured in Robb Report’s cover story “Car of the Year 2001,” where she served as stylist and stunt driver for the accompanying feature, “Automotive Alchemy,” alongside renowned photographer Jerry Wyszatycki, and she has contributed to Robb Report Showcase as well. Leader magazine profiled her in an article titled “CEO MOM,” spotlighting her entrepreneurial path and her ability to balance leadership, innovation and motherhood as a single parent.
Ms. Newell’s career as a professional manicurist, which began in 1990, ultimately led to the creation of manicurist.com, a portfolio showcasing her advertising, editorial and celebrity work. Her work has appeared in Elle, Glamour, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Vanity Fair and Vogue, in collaboration with photographers including Robin Broadbent, Patrick Demarchelier, Victor Demarchelier, Mikael Jansson, Peter Lindbergh, Tom Munro and Inez and Vinoodh. Her client roster has included Katie Holmes, Leonardo DiCaprio, Julianne Moore, Kate Winslet and Vera Farmiga, and her styling and creative work has extended to campaigns for BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche — work that reinforced her reputation for aesthetic discernment, discretion and precision.
In 2002, inspired by the birth of her son, Dillon, Ms. Newell founded 111402, Inc., laying the foundation for a portfolio of ventures spanning beauty innovation, design and real estate investment. While pregnant with her son, she also founded thenestinginstinct.com, a resource dedicated to intentional preparation for parenthood through personalized consultation, curated recommendations and thoughtful planning for growing families. An international bestselling author, Ms. Newell is currently developing a series of books focused on intentional living, parenting and personal development.
Through Bethany Newell LLC and bethanynewell.com, Ms. Newell developed an exclusively designed, hand-blended luxury nail lacquer brand built on a proprietary color theory system not found elsewhere in the category. The brand’s distinctive concepts and design innovations are protected through global patent holdings, and it has been featured in international advertising campaigns and recognized within the luxury lacquer category for its precision and craftsmanship. Her creative pursuits also extend to exclusive jewelry design featuring rare stones and fine precious metals, with select pieces created as bespoke commissions for individual collectors, and to onedoublezero, featuring an online art studio showcasing iconic large-scale works and bespoke commissions distinguished by craftsmanship and originality.
Across her career, Ms. Newell has remained actively engaged in luxury real estate acquisition, development and investment, focusing on properties that integrate architectural integrity, privacy, hospitality standards and long-term asset performance. She has also partnered with meta-dology as a global design + development partner, introducing developers, architects, designers and contractors to immersive digital environments within the metaverse and helping industry leaders leverage three-dimensional spatial technology to enhance design review and development outcomes.
Having worked alongside globally recognized brands, Ms. Newell serves on boards and executive teams, continues to contribute to strategic advisory initiatives and welcomes collaboration with organizations seeking disciplined growth, brand elevation and long-term value creation. She attributes her career’s accomplishments to consistency, tenacity, resourcefulness, clarity of vision and an unwavering commitment to excellence — qualities that have allowed her to remain open-minded yet definitive in her decision-making throughout her career. Above all, Ms. Newell regards motherhood as her most significant role.