Work Friends Member Spotlight: Tarina Stasi
As I’ve gotten deeper into my career, I’ve realized that networking isn’t just another entrepreneurial task—it can actually be fulfilling. Even fun. (No, seriously.)
Last year, a consulting client introduced me to Tarina, who was just getting her beauty staffing agency off the ground. We hit it off immediately—bonding over building our own businesses, a shared love of the beauty industry, mutual connections (hi, Melissa! hi, Claude!), and the fact that we both got our starts in San Francisco.
Moments like that remind me that the best connections are built on common ground, genuine curiosity, and a willingness to support each other. That’s the spirit behind Work Friends—and exactly what made me so excited to welcome Tarina into the community.
Now, I’m thrilled to shine the spotlight on her.
Tarina Stasi
Executive Recruiter & Owner of Merit Search
“I define success as helping both clients and candidates find that “perfect match”, when there is true alignment between the person and the role.
That has always been my north star from the beginning—to be of service, stay aligned with my purpose, and create meaningful impact in people’s lives.”
What’s your background and specialty?
My entire professional career has been in the beauty, fashion, and retail space, with over 20 years dedicated to staffing and talent acquisition. I began as a campus recruiter at FIDM and had the incredible opportunity to help build 24Seven’s offices in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and NYC. After a decade there, I worked with a few boutique agencies that also specialized in fashion and beauty, then went in-house at Beautycounter to lead their Talent Acquisition and HR function.
Fast-forward to 2024, I launched Merit Search. I’m excited to bring my passion and expertise together to help clients and candidates find their perfect match.
How/why did you choose beauty as your niche?
I’ve been drawn to the beauty and fashion space for as long as I can remember—it’s always felt like a natural fit and the only sector I could truly see myself in. Over the years, I’ve built an incredible network and community within this industry, so when it came time to launch Merit Search, focusing on beauty felt like it made perfect sense on every level.
What’s something unexpected you’ve learned about yourself through freelancing or consulting?
I’ve been thrown into so many unexpected scenarios and have learned that I can always find a way to navigate them successfully. One example: I once started a consulting role focused on talent acquisition, only to be told on day one that I would also be handling HR—something I had no prior experience in!
I love creating stable, supportive environments for the teams around me and am incredibly solutions-oriented. Working in consulting and early-stage startups has shown me that I can confidently swim when thrown into the deep end and even enjoy the challenge.
What’s a pivotal moment in your career that shaped where you are today?
Being hired on the spot and brought in as the second hire at the 24Seven San Francisco office was an incredibly pivotal moment in my career. From day one, the VP said, “I need a partner to build this business.” So we rolled up our sleeves and did it!
From connecting with all of the location design schools to hosting creative design events, attending every single fashion and beauty event in town, actively prospecting every single brand and ultimately placing our candidates across top companies in the Pacific Northwest including Gap, North Face, Williams-Sonoma, Nordstrom, and Nike to name just a few. It was a magical time in my life that absolutely shaped my career, my connections, and where I am today.
If you could snap your fingers and instantly master any new skill, what would it be and why?
On a professional level, I would love to be a social media maven—to be able to quickly write the most engaging content, film the most interesting videos, and know all the ins/outs of how to stay connected on a daily basis with your community. On a personal level, I would love to know every single kind of dance style from ballet and hip-hop to modern and salsa!
How do you stay creative and avoid burnout, especially when juggling multiple projects?
I definitely need a creative outlet! If I’m feeling burnout bubbling up, I get out into nature. Sometimes just going on a walk—looking at the trees, birds, or ocean—can shift my perspective completely. It helps clear my mind, spark new ideas, and provides fresh energy. I’m very lucky to live in Southern California where these types of nature walks are readily available.
What’s been your favorite freelance project to date?
One of my favorite projects was with a fast-growing beauty startup that needed to scale quickly to keep up with business demand. They brought me in to support their hiring efforts and I ended up placing talent across nearly every department, including e-commerce, marketing, product development, social media, sales, finance, customer service, and design. It was fast-paced, collaborative, and incredibly fulfilling to play such a hands-on, strategic role in building out their team and helping the business grow.
Who’s your dream client?
Merit Beauty so we can create a fabulous collab together.
Editor’s note: I love this idea.
How do you define success in your career? Has that evolved or changed over the years?
Success has always meant knowing that I’ve genuinely helped someone, especially when they are navigating a challenging job search. Whether it’s offering a small piece of advice or encouragement that helps them feel seen, supported, and motivated to keep going, those moments mean everything.
I also define success as helping both clients and candidates find that “perfect match”, when there is true alignment between the person and the role. That has always been my north star from the beginning—to be of service, stay aligned with my purpose, and create meaningful impact in people’s lives.
What have you gained from being a part of Work Friends?
I’m excited to be part of this special community of like-minded humans who are entrepreneurial, supportive, and generous with their knowledge. It’s always inspiring to be surrounded by people who are genuinely cheering each other on, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow together and support one another’s path to success.
What’s your most-repurchased beauty item?
Lip gloss… it’s a problem! [laughs]
Get in touch with Tarina
It's fun to be Work Friends
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It's fun to be Work Friends 〰️
If you’re interested in joining Work Friends, you can find more information here. And if you’d like an introduction to Tarina or any member of the Work Friends community, send me a note.