Company

CORPORATE PROFILE

Afingo.com is the first online platform to merge social networking, fashion-industry sourcing, and an e-commerce marketplace in a single, stylish interface. A virtual tradeshow, showroom and manufacturing-resource directory, Afingo is an online community of designers, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers connecting and interacting in real time. From sketchpad, to factory, to boutique rack, Afingo provides a unified platform helps young designers move their products through the production chain, reaching merchants and shoppers in a way that is as up-to-date and addictive as style itself.

CORPORATE TEAM

Liza Deyrmenjian, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Vancouver, Canada native Liza Deyrmenjian started her first garment-manufacturing at the tender age of 19. By 1995 Arteenelle Manufacturing Inc., had evolved into a 9000-square-foot garment manufacturing facility employing 45 tradesmen and women. Three years later, Deyrmenjan sold Arteenelle, launching her second company, Noccona Manufacturing Services, in 1999. By it’s second year, Noccona posted gross sales of over $3 million. Selling Noccona in 2003, Deyrmenjian moved to New York City, continuing to run her manufacturing businesses, while consulting as a wardrobe designer for over 30 commercials and feature films. Beginning in 2007, Deyrmenjian developed and began teaching a class instructing up-and-coming entrepreneurs on how to start their own fashion businesses and break into the retail market. Today, she offers the class in New York City, Los Angeles and Vancouver while continuing her work as a manufacturing consultant.

Kristian Giambi, Co-Founder and Creative Advisor

After studying Visual Communications at California State University Chico, Northern California raised Kristian Giambi parlayed her passion for art and photography into creating Brulee, a lingerie and loungewear collection featuring classy, comfortable, luxurious pieces with alluring appeal. Having determined that each Brulee item should be handcrafted in New York City from the finest silk, cotton, and jersey materials with delicate details and intricate workmanship, Giambi has fast become an expert on local fashion sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution. As Creative Director, Kristian Giambi brings a keen eye for style and aesthetics to Afingo while continuing to design and promote her collection.

Jason Giambi, Co-Founder, Investor, and Board Member

Southern California native Jason Giambi is one of the most intimidating left-hitting batters of his generation. Pursuing a Business major at California State University Long Beach, Giambi was drafted after his junior year by the Oakland A's and made his Major League Baseball debut in with them 1995. At first base and in the designated-hitter slot, Giambi led the American League in walks four times, in on-base percentage three times, in doubles and in slugging percentage once each, won the Silver Slugger award in 2001 and 2002, made five All-Star Team appearances, and was named the American League MVP in 2000. After spending the 2002-2008 seasons with the New York Yankees and the 2009 season back in Oakland, Giambi is currently playing first base for the Colorado Rockies. A successful entrepreneur, Giambi is owner of several restaurant, residential, and lifestyle properties.

Marselen Spencer, Chief Operating Officer

Brazilian-born Marselen Spencer has over 12 years of experience in the areas of corporate finance, management consulting, technology, and leveraged finance. Spencer graduated Magna Cum Laude from Manhattan College’s School of Business with a B.S. in Economics and a B.S. in International Business. He began his professional career at Fiduciary Trust where he worked with high-net-worth individuals and institutions and then moved to American Express in their Consulting Services division. From 2002 to 2004 Spencer was a founding member of the Credit Portfolio Management group at TD Securities. Between 2004 and 2007, Spencer was part of TD Securities' Media and Communications Investment Banking group and, afterwards, oversaw corporate finance and strategy as a Managing Partner at Wave Management, an eco-friendly hotel development company. In 2009, Spencer founded Tharsis Advisors, a consulting firm focused on assisting both start-ups and established organizations with all aspects of capital raising and strategic direction specializing in the digital media, social networking, mobile, hospitality and fashion industries. Spencer also serves as COO of mSmart, a mobile e-commerce company.

Gabriel Bell, Publisher and Content Director

Raised just north of New York City, Gabriel Bell is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, having spent time studying linguistics, literature, and writing at Oxford and at Columbia University’s Philosophy Department at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. He began his publishing career as a member of the ASME-winning team at CITY Magazine, where he served as Associate Editor in 2004. After several years of freelance work for The New York Post, Planet, SOMA, Vivre, New York Magazine’s popular fashion blog, The Cut, and other lifestyle publications, he became the first Blog Editor at Refinery29.com’s much-beloved Pipeline blog. Developing Refinery29’s style, focus, and voice while shepherding it to an eventual monthly rate of 1.6 million readers, Bell currently pursues fashion-related freelance projects while directing Afingo’s written and video content.

Summer Swigart, Chief Technical Officer

Since obtaining her B.S. in Information and Computer Science from the University of California, Irvine, Summer Swigart has specialized in online growth strategy, product development, SEO best practices and audience building. An accomplished software engineer, Swigart has served as lead engineer at Reed Business Interactive, and Director of Technology at The Groop, where she was responsible for improving overall site traffic and performance through innovative online product development. Her knowledge has been deployed at Hello Design, Oshyn, and The Designory, with past clients including The Economist, Variety, Nissan, and Mercedes. She continues to collaborate with BigTV delivering both online software products and consulting services.