Some entrepreneurial journeys begin with a business plan; others emerge from a personal search for an answer. For Maia Gigiberia, the path to entrepreneurship was shaped by seemingly different influences, from growing up around pharmacists and developing an early curiosity about medicines and healthy living to pursuing music, education, and a career in teaching.

Her direction changed when her own experience with sensitive skin and the search for suitable skincare solutions encouraged her to explore natural ingredients more deeply. What started as research and experimentation in the kitchen of her Glasgow home eventually evolved into LEBARDE, the skincare brand she founded in 2019.

Today, Maia brings together her interest in natural skincare, creativity, and hands-on approach to product presentation as the Founder and Managing Director of LEBARDE. Her journey reflects an unconventional transition from education to entrepreneurship, driven by a personal experience and a desire to create products that can benefit others.

In this feature with The Euro Magazine, discover Maia Gigiberia’s journey from her early years in Georgia and career in education to building LEBARDE, the philosophy behind her products, and the vision guiding the brand’s next chapter.

Early Influences and Education

Maia Gigiberia was born in Sokhumi, Georgia, and her family moved to Tbilisi the same year. Growing up, she was surrounded by influences from both healthcare and the arts. Her father and grandfather were pharmacists, while her mother was a music teacher. From an early age, Maia developed a curiosity about medicines and healthy living. She would help her father make handmade plaster bandages, an activity she genuinely enjoyed, and became familiar with the names of different medicines and how they were used.

At the same time, music played an important role in her childhood. Recognising her talent, her mother enrolled her in a music school for talented pupils, and Maia was a pianist during her early years. Eventually, however, she chose a different professional direction and pursued education.

Maia graduated from Tbilisi State University with a bachelor’s degree in Western European Languages and went on to work as an English teacher. Her professional journey in education also included founding and managing the British Summer School in Georgia and later serving as a Director at Glasgow ESOL Forum Limited. Her academic journey further included Early Childhood Education and Teaching at City of Glasgow College.

Despite her background in education, a personal challenge would eventually lead Maia towards an entirely different industry.

A Personal Search for a Solution

A Personal Search for a Solution

Maia had always experienced sensitive skin and often found it difficult to identify skincare products that worked well for her. She regularly turned to homemade masks using fresh fruit and dairy products as part of her skincare routine.

When she was 38, Maia noticed fine lines developing around her eyes. Unhappy with their appearance, she decided to have a Botox injection. Initially, she was satisfied with the result, but after six months, she felt that her skin had lost elasticity and had become worse than it had been before the treatment.

Rather than accepting the situation, Maia began looking for an alternative solution. She spent considerable time researching and experimenting with different formulations in the kitchen of her home in Glasgow. Eventually, she developed a solution that worked for her own skin. Throughout this process, she remained convinced that the answer could be found in nature, and her experience strengthened her belief in the potential of natural ingredients.

What began as a personal search gradually developed into an entrepreneurial venture. In 2019, Maia registered her innovative skincare brand and started her business in Scotland, UK. Her LinkedIn profile identifies her today as the Founder and Managing Director of LEBARDE Beauty Brand.

Building the LEBARDE Identity

Today, Maia serves as the founder, manager, and packaging designer of LEBARDE. She describes the brand’s skincare products as unique, built around innovative formulas and natural ingredients. According to Maia, the products are free from preservatives and are developed around her commitment to natural skincare.

For Maia, however, the product itself is only one part of the brand experience. She also develops the packaging, with an emphasis on distinctive and exclusive designs. Each box is handcrafted, bringing an individual and carefully considered element to the presentation of LEBARDE products.

This combination of skincare formulation and handcrafted presentation reflects Maia’s intention to create products that stand apart through both their contents and their identity.

Creating an Impact

Among her accomplishments, Maia is particularly proud of creating skincare products intended to help people address their skin concerns. She says that her products have already helped around 1,000 consumers, making the impact on customers one of the achievements she values most.

For Maia, this is also closely connected to the original reason she entered the skincare industry: finding a solution to a problem she had personally experienced.

A Vision for Growth

Looking ahead, Maia’s vision is centred on reaching and helping more people through her products. She believes LEBARDE has the potential to benefit many more consumers in the future, while the satisfaction and positive experiences of existing customers continue to provide her with motivation to grow the business.

Rather than moving away from the principles on which she established the brand, Maia wants its future growth to remain connected to the purpose that inspired her journey in the first place.

Standing Apart

In a highly competitive skincare industry, Maia focuses on differentiation. She believes that the distinctive nature of her products, together with LEBARDE’s handmade packaging, gives the brand its own identity.

By remaining closely involved in both the products and their presentation, Maia continues to develop a brand that reflects her personal approach to skincare, creativity, and craftsmanship.

Business with Purpose

Business with Purpose

For aspiring professionals and entrepreneurs, Maia’s advice is straightforward and closely connected to her own entrepreneurial philosophy: build a good business that benefits people.

Her perspective is that entrepreneurship should go beyond simply creating and selling a product. For Maia, building something that can provide genuine value to others remains an important foundation for meaningful business.

Conclusion

Maia Gigiberia’s journey demonstrates how a personal challenge can gradually open the door to an entirely new professional direction. From her early curiosity about medicines and healthy living to her years in education and, eventually, her experiments with skincare at home in Glasgow, each stage has contributed to the path that led her to establish LEBARDE.

Today, Maia remains closely involved in the brand she created, from its skincare products to its distinctive handcrafted packaging. Customer satisfaction continues to motivate her, while her ambition to help more people provides a clear direction for LEBARDE’s future growth.

As she continues developing the brand, Maia carries forward a simple philosophy that also shapes her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: build a good business that benefits people. For her, that principle remains at the heart of both entrepreneurship and the journey ahead.

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