Quirky, with lots of polish
The gig: Co-founders of OPI Products Inc., a North Hollywood cosmetics company and the world’s largest maker of professional nail care products. OPI is best known for its nail lacquers, which are favored by celebrities including Madonna, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Lopez. The duo, who are siblings-in-law, employ 450 people and say they sell 45 million bottles of polish a year in more than 200 shades. Sales topped $400 million in 2007.
Education: Weiss-Fischmann, 51, received her bachelor’s in biology from Hunter College in New York City. Schaeffer, 61, has a bachelor’s in international economics from the City College of New York.
International roots: Both were born in Hungary and immigrated to the U.S. as children.
First job: Weiss-Fischmann baby-sat; Schaeffer sold eggs off the back of a truck in Brooklyn when he was 11. “I think it was two dozen for a dollar -- if that much,” he says.
History: The two met in 1972, when Schaeffer arrived at Weiss-Fischmann’s home to pick up her older sister for a date. Weiss-Fischmann was the maid of honor at the couple’s wedding three months later.
Got the idea: While working at a dental supply company Schaeffer owned, the two often sold acrylic powder -- a component in forming dentures -- to manicurists, who sculpted the material into artificial fingernails. In 1981, they founded OPI, an acronym for Odontorium Products Inc., which was the name of Schaeffer’s dental supply company.
Along the path: The two hired a chemist to help develop a better formula for producing acrylic nails and distributed the product for free to nail salons in L.A. In 1989, they launched their first line of polishes, with 30 shades.
Strangest request: Schaeffer once sent five gallons of Kyoto Pearl polish to a customer who wanted to paint cabinets with the silvery shade.
First big purchase: Schaeffer bought a home. Weiss-Fischmann bought “a Rolex watch -- which was stolen,” she says.
Memorable moment: After receiving a letter from a fifth-grade girl as part of a school assignment, Weiss-Fischmann sent her a complimentary bottle of polish. A few weeks later, 24 more letters arrived -- from the girl’s classmates.
Newest collection: An India-inspired line debuted last month and features OPI’s signature quirky nail polish names. Shades include I’m Indi-a Mood for Love and Curry Up Don’t Be Late!
Advice: “Be passionate about what you do,” Weiss-Fischmann says. “Stay the course -- it takes a while to build a business.”
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