Mari Watanabe graduated from Waseda University with a degree in Economics, specializing in private sector market analysis. She then came to the United States to earn an MBA from Duke University, before returning to Japan to intern at a major marketing firm. In 2005 Mari founded her own marketing startup, using her understanding of market patterns and consumer behavior to predict major trends. Her success caught the attention of ScarySmart CEO Kazuyoshi Okada, who offered her the role of Deputy Marketing Director in 2010. She was promoted to Director of Marketing in 2013.