Clarkson Alumna Working with Shipley Center to Promote Skincare Company

Clarkson University alumna Simoon Lee Cannon ’97, founder and CEO of Melanina LLC of Fayetteville, Ga., recently chose to associate her company with Clarkson’s Shipley Center for Innovation.

Cannon says that she is working with the Shipley Center because of its growing presence for entrepreneurship and innovation and her relationship as an alumna of the University. “Clarkson is becoming an innovation hub and a great place to learn and grow,” she adds.

Cannon founded Melanina, parent company to Melanina Organics and Mela Land Adventures Books & More, in 2012. The company produces consumer products in health, beauty and entertainment for children, teens and adults with sensitive skin.

Melanina Organics develops, manufactures and retails skin and hair care natural beauty products with an eye toward solving the problems of atopic dermatitis (eczema) and seborrheic dermatitis.

Some of Melanina’s most popular products include Natural Moisturizing Cream for eczema relief, Vegan Wash (a foaming cleanser), Chaya’s Natural Hair Butter (scalp treatment) and Natural Astringent Ointment with honey and tea tree oil.

Melaland Adventures promotes children’s education, fun and adventure through books, animation and film.

“Clarkson has innovative, visionary leaders and top-notch faculty and staff,” says Cannon. “The faculty and staff care about the students and want them to be great. As well, the small school size leads to individual student attention.”

Cannon says that she majored in chemical engineering at Clarkson because “I was always curious about the science of how things work. In addition, it provided me with the base foundation to launch a diverse career.”

Cannon is an entrepreneur, chemical engineer, publisher and logistics expert with more than 20 years of experience. She has served as an adjunct professor in the MBA program at Virginia International University and received her MBA degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Georgia State University with plans to graduate this year.

Her plans for Melanina include a new Melanina Organics subscription campaign, which is already underway. “I just want to create great products with advanced technology for kids and young adults,” says Cannon.

Find out more about Melanina at http://mela-nina.com. The Shipley Center for Innovation supports a wide range of entrepreneurs and innovators seeking to launch new businesses and commercialize cutting edge technologies. This support is available for Clarkson University students, faculty and alumni, as well as local community members thanks to New York State’s Innovation Hot Spot Program.  Services include: feasibility analysis, market analysis, prototyping, provisional patent filing, customer development, business formation, marketing and branding, incubator space, ignition grants, workshops, investor connections, NYS tax incentives, and networking. 

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