Founder and CEO of SNAP Wellness and the creator of SnappyScreen, the first-ever touchless sunscreen application system, Kristen McClellan ’12 is making her mark on the skincare and wellness industry.
A Cornell University alum, McClellan debuted SnappyScreen during her freshman year as a member of the eLab cohort. She dedicated the rest of her college years to prototyping and figuring out SnappyScreen’s pathway to success.
SnappyScreen users step into a booth, select their SPF, and enter their height. Within seconds, they’re covered in a light mist of sunscreen, eliminating uneven tans and minimizing the risk of sunburns. SNAP Sun Safe Sunscreen is one of the few sunscreens on the market that is oxybenzone-free, paraben-free, reef-safe, and will not stain clothing.
McClellan quickly realized SnappyScreen’s potential as a hotel amenity and sought support from the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at Cornell University. The Institute was integral to McClellan’s journey, connecting her with mentors and investors who helped bring SnappyScreen into hotels and resorts.
As SnappyScreen was finding major success in the hotel industry, the pandemic hit, forcing SnappyScreen Inc. to pivot. Since hotels closed, the company shifted to direct-to-consumer product lines. During this time, McClellan also created SNAP Clean Hands, a line of touchless mist sanitizers with luxury fragrances.
SNAP Sun Safe and SNAP Clean hands are now sold in over 2,000 storefronts with an added 45,000 online customers. This pivotal shift turned SnappyScreen Inc. into an entire wellness brand, SNAP Wellness, which was noticed by Ellen DeGeneres and featured on Oprah’s favorite things.
Now, McClellan is part of Cornell’s Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) program, where she hopes to provide the same guidance and growth opportunities awarded to her as a student.
Read her full profile in the Johnson Business Feed.