Beauty and the Brand

VC Isn't the Only Way: Building Your Million-Dollar Brand with Dominique Gagnon

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, host Aggie Burnett sits down with Dominique Gagnon—brand builder and award-winning innovator and growth strategist, Dominique helped found category-creating health & wellness brands like DEINDE, Caldera + Lab, and isbel&co. Dominique shares her insider perspective on what it takes to secure funding in today’s beauty and wellness landscape. From understanding the critical role of Sephora contracts and retail distribution in valuations to demystifying metrics like CAC to LTV, Dominique reveals how founders can prepare for Series A and beyond. She also dives into the “dating game” of venture capital, highlighting why investor relationships must start before you need cash. For entrepreneurs weighing bootstrapping vs. VC funding, this conversation unpacks the trade-offs, common mistakes, and alternative financing paths. Whether you’re building a lifestyle business or chasing a high-stakes exit, Dominique offers practical, results-driven advice to help founders refine their growth strategy and position their brand for long-term success

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Welcome to Beauty and the Brand Podcast
00:01:06 - Meet Dominique
00:02:14 - Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital
00:03:10 - How Retail Presence Impacts Funding and Acquisition
00:04:09 - Why Investors Prioritize Retail: The Pathway to Exit
00:07:52 - Identifying the Main Players in Beauty Investment
00:09:30 - The Difference Between Family Funds and Traditional VCs
00:11:03 - Key Advice: Why Finding Investors is Like Dating
00:13:53 - Explaining "Lead Round" vs. "Follow Round" Investors
00:15:00 - The Average Timeframe for Closing a Funding Round
00:15:59 - The Best and Worst Times of Year to Fundraise
00:17:00 - Key Metrics Investors Look for in a Bootstrapped Brand
00:20:15 - How the Founder's Story and Commitment Influence Investment
00:22:16 - The Biggest Pitching Mistake: Brand Story vs. Business Metrics
00:23:30 - How to Determine How Much Capital to Raise
00:26:32 - The Minimum Sales Needed to Attract Venture Capital
00:26:58 - What Happens if a Retail Deal Falls Through Post-Investment
00:28:32 - Investor Expectations: The 18-Month Runway
00:30:16 - Common Strategies of Successfully Exited Brands (Medik8, Rhode, Aesop)
00:34:10 - Case Study: Tatcha's Path to Success and the QVC Strategy
00:35:39 - Alternative Financing Options Beyond Traditional VC
00:37:43 - Start Networking with Investors from Day One
00:38:10 - Where to Find and Work with Dominique Online

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Dominique Gagnon CEW Profile
DEINDE: https://www.deinde.com/
Caldera + Lab: https://calderalab.com/
Dominique’s Consultancy: https://artofcreation.co
Dominique on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Beauty and the Brand? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

How Sudz Cauldron Uses Email as Its #1 Marketing Conversion Driver (And How You Can Use It Too)

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, host Aggie Burnett sits down with Olivia Sanchez, founder of Sudz Cauldron, to unpack how a self-funded Latina entrepreneur transformed her haircare business by leaning into her “why,” optimizing SEO, and choosing the right marketing channel. Olivia reveals how she stopped mirroring other brands, built retail partnerships, and found that email marketing—not Instagram likes—was her real conversion driver. From navigating Squarespace to Shopify, setting up UTM links, and balancing blog content with social media, Olivia shares the raw challenges and big wins behind growing a cult-status brand that celebrates curls, sustainability, and authenticity.

Chapters:

00:00:00: Welcome to the Beauty and the Brand podcast.
00:01:24: Meet Olivia.
00:02:56: Early struggles: mirroring other brands and lacking a clear foundation.
00:05:55: Choosing a marketing focus: SEO vs. Instagram.
00:07:29: Explanation of the marketing funnel for new brands.
00:09:33: SEO framed as a "set it and move on" strategy.
00:11:37: A strategy for turning blog posts into social content.
00:12:40: The market shift from volume content to quality and trust.
00:16:17: Using UTM links to track the source of every sale.
00:19:25: Different content preferences for email vs. Instagram audiences.
00:22:00: Course outcome: a defined customer, brand 'why,' and revamped website.
00:25:22: Linking a strong brand 'why' to SEO authority (E-A-T).
00:26:50: Business results: more retail partners and better email conversions.
00:29:34: Details of best-selling shampoo and conditioner bars.
00:31:45: Product sustainability: one bar equals three liquid bottles.
00:32:59: How to Connect with Olivia

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Suds Cauldron’s Website
Sudz Cauldron on Instagram
Olivia on LinkedIn

How C2C Helped Becky Reach a Six-Figure Annual Run Rate in Just 60 Days | with Becky Williams

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 07:30:00 -0700

When Becky Williams first launched her skincare brand, mil USOS, she marketed broadly to “active people.” The result? Silence. Everything changed after joining C2C. By focusing entirely on her own community—jiu-jitsu athletes with sensitive skin—Becky found the clarity she needed. Each time she narrowed her focus, her conversions doubled, and then doubled again. Within just 60 days of committing to this new positioning, mil USOS reached a six-figure annual run rate.

In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, host Aggie Burnett and Becky unpack the lessons behind this transformation: how niching down can turn insecurity into strength, why polarizing opinions help build movements, and what it takes to pivot from “crickets at launch” to a brand that truly resonates. If you’re a beauty founder debating whether to go broader or narrower with your positioning, this conversation reveals why specificity is the ultimate growth strategy.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Welcome to the Beauty and the Brand podcast.
00:01:08 - Meet Becky Williams, founder of mil USOS.
00:01:25 - Becky's Background: The story of a Jujitsu Purple Belt creating skincare for athletes.
00:02:29 - Origin Story: How a traumatic domestic violence experience led Becky to Jujitsu.
00:04:45 - The Power of Jujitsu: How the martial art builds confidence and eliminates panic.
00:06:01 - A Proud Moment: Becky's return to training after a two-year hiatus and rediscovering her skill.
00:07:33 - The Problem: Common skin issues for Jujitsu athletes, including infections like staph and ringworm.
00:09:54 - The "Aha!" Moment: Combining a desire for economic independence with a passion for skincare ingredients.
00:11:25 - Identifying a Market Gap: Calling out the low-quality "Jujitsu bro" soaps dominating the space.
00:13:54 - Crafting the Formula: Becky explains her choice of high-end, sustainable, and effective ingredients.
00:16:55 - The Science of the Balm: Detailing the powerful antimicrobial extracts used in the products.
00:18:50 - The Initial Launch: Launching to "crickets" and the stress of not seeing results.
00:20:36 - Seeking Help: How a lack of sales led Becky to join the C2C coaching program.
00:21:58 - The First Pivot: Realizing the "skincare for active people" brand identity was too broad.
00:24:31 - The Turning Point: Overcoming fear and imposter syndrome to niche down exclusively to Jujitsu.
00:26:50 - The Impact of Niching: Achieving six-figure annual numbers within 60 days of committing to the Jujitsu community.
00:27:51 - Hyper-Niching for Success: Targeting Jujitsu athletes with sensitive skin, which doubled conversion rates.
00:32:36 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Discussing the feeling of not being a black belt in the sport.
00:34:35 - Turning a Weakness into a Strength: Using her "perpetual purple belt" status to be more relatable.
00:40:41 - Who is C2C For?: Advice for founders who are teachable and willing to work on foundational brand strategy.
00:44:14 - Dream Sponsorship: Why she wants to sponsor a high-end male athlete.
00:45:32 - What's Next for Mil Usos: Announcing new products, including belt-rank-themed lip balms.
00:46:55 - Future Brand Plans: Expanding into haircare and hosting branded Jujitsu seminars.
00:48:06 - Where to Find Becky Online

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
mil USOS Skincare Website
mil USOS Skincare Instagram
Becky’s Personal Instagram

How Hayven by Leah Reached a 1.95% Conversion Rate in Just 90 Days Leah Hacker

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode of The Beauty and the Brand Podcast, licensed aesthetician and founder Leah Hacker shares how she built Hayven by Leah, a clean beauty brand designed for sensitive skin and busy women. Working just 10 hours a week while raising two young children, Leah has grown her business with a conversion rate of 1.95%, an average order value between $64–$70, and an email list with over 50% open rates. Together with Aggie, she unpacks how survey insights revealed that word-of-mouth referrals and Facebook traffic drive her brand’s growth, and they brainstorm practical strategies like referral campaigns, quarterly promotions, and creative activation events to scale Hayven further. Listeners will walk away inspired by Leah’s scrappy, authentic approach to building a beauty brand from the ground up — proving that even with limited time, founders can create meaningful traction by focusing on the right marketing levers.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Kicking Off: Meet Leah and Her Brand Journey
00:01:45 - From Confused Messaging to a Crystal-Clear Website
00:02:30 - Juggling Mom Life and Building a Brand
00:03:27 - What a 1.95% Conversion Rate Really Means
00:04:25 - Turning Email Into a Revenue Machine
00:05:34 - The Referral Program Hiding in Plain Sight
00:09:11 - Stop Random Sales: Plan These Instead
00:16:49 - The Power of Word-of-Mouth—Done Right
00:21:01 - The Real Cost Behind Gifting Campaigns
00:21:27 - Why Warm Leads > Cold Traffic (Always)
00:22:47 - The Lead Gen Strategy You Can Start Tomorrow
00:23:01 - Easy Ways to Promote Campaigns with Email + Social
00:24:01 - This Teacher Appreciation Idea Is Pure Gold
00:26:27 - Instagram or Facebook? The Answer May Surprise You
00:31:23 - Quarterly Activations: Map Your Momentum
00:33:46 - Free Consults + Freebies That Actually Convert
00:37:19 - Final Action Plan for Busy Founders

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Hayven by Leah – Clean Beauty for Sensitive Skin
Hayven by Leah on Instagram: @hayvenbyleah

The $5 Million Question: How to Create Beauty Products That Set the Standard with Holly Moore

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, award-winning product developer and founder of The Ingredientist, Holly Moore, shares what she would create if handed $5 million to launch her dream beauty brand. Known for her “ingredient nerd” roots and a career shaping some of the industry’s most innovative launches, Holly reveals how she’d blend science-backed claims, category-defining textures, and sustainable actives into a future-proof product pipeline. She explains why founder-led vision is essential, how to avoid fear-based marketing, and why hormones are “the language the skin speaks” when developing formulas. Whether you’re a beauty founder building your first hero product or refining a multi-year pipeline, Holly’s candid, values-driven approach will inspire you to think beyond trends and set the standard in beauty innovation.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Kicking Off: The Realities of Product Development
00:01:29 - Meet Holly Moore: Beauty’s Award-Winning Formulation Powerhouse
00:02:24 - From Childhood Curiosity to Full-On Ingredient Nerd
00:03:53 - Blending Science, Ethics, and Skin Health
00:06:43 - Clean vs. Synthetic: The Truth in the Gray
00:11:26 - Crafting a Product Pipeline That Wins
00:21:03 - Why Your Product Brief Can Make or Break You
00:27:37 - Private Label or Custom Formulation? The Smart Choice
00:38:58 - Green Chemistry and What’s Next for Beauty
00:40:55 - My $5 Million Dream Beauty Brand
00:43:47 - Where to Connect and Collaborate with Me
00:44:27 - Wrapping Up: Final Founder Insights

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
The Ingredientist – Official Website
Instagram – @the_ingredientist
LinkedIn – Holly Moore, M.P.H.
Email – Hello@theingredientist.com

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Not Every Founder Wants to Scale Big: Kathryn Paves on Building a Healthy $5M Beauty Business

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0700

What does it really take to grow a beauty brand from the ground up into a $20M+ global powerhouse? In this episode, Aggie Burnett sits down with Kathryn Paves—co-founder of Areum Ventures, brand strategist, multi-time founder, and the driving force behind TOCCA’s meteoric growth—to unpack the raw truths behind building mission-driven consumer brands. Kathryn shares how she scaled a scrappy startup into a globally recognized beauty icon, the pinch-me moment of seeing her work in Sephora and 40+ freestanding stores across Japan, and the intentional decisions that shaped TOCCA’s long-term success. From strategic fundraising that took another brand from $1.5M to $10M, to helping early-stage founders clarify whether they want a $5M lifestyle business or a sellable powerhouse, this episode is a goldmine of clarity and insight. Expect tactical gems on brand architecture, emotional storytelling, and why beauty is truly a category of its own.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Cold Email to Sephora: The Bold Pitch at 25
00:01:16 - Meet Kathryn Paves: Brand Builder & Risk Taker
00:02:03 - Turning Nerve into Opportunity: The TOCCA Story
00:03:21 - From Clothing to Beauty: TOCCA’s Transformation
00:12:48 - New Chapters: Stepping Into Chloe + Isabel
00:17:04 - Beauty is a Beast: Industry Realities
00:19:31 - Building Brands Like Architecture
00:23:50 - Margins, SKUs, and Smart Growth
00:24:38 - Launching With Intention, Not Just Hype
00:25:48 - Marketing for Longevity, Not Just Launch Day
00:29:48 - Raising Capital Without Losing Control
00:30:54 - Red Flags in Investor Conversations
00:40:19 - Visionaries vs. Operators: Who Drives Growth?
00:45:24 - Kathryn Today: What’s Next and Final Thoughts

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Website – Brand Architect
Email: kathryn@brand-architect.com
Instagram – @thestyleskinny
Kathryn on LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

The Sephora-Ready Checklist Every Beauty Founder Needs with Jennifer Ritter

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Jennifer Ritter, Founder of JSRANDCOINC pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to develop standout products and scale a beauty brand built for longevity—not just virality. From clean reformulations that became best sellers to the nine must-have elements before pitching a major retailer like Sephora, Jennifer shares hard-earned insights that blend strategic storytelling, airtight operations, and results-driven product development. You’ll learn why over-indexing on TikTok trends can backfire, what makes a true hero SKU, and how indie founders can create systems that layer, convert, and grow. If you’re navigating early-stage product ideation, brand turnarounds, or preparing for retail expansion, this conversation is your blueprint for building beauty products that actually sell.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Meet Jennifer Ritter: Brand Architect Behind Beauty’s Breakout Products
00:01:41 - From Estée Lauder to Indie Powerhouse: Jennifer’s Industry Origin Story
00:02:18 - Launching JSRANDCOINC: Where Brand Visions Become Reality
00:05:59 - What Is a Turnaround Brand—and Why It Matters
00:09:18 - The Costly Mistakes Beauty Brands Keep Making
00:14:17 - Trend vs. Timeless: Building for Longevity
00:17:39 - How Smart Brands Evolve with the Market
00:25:01 - Designing Products That Speak to Real People
00:28:19 - Innovation Is Everywhere—If You Know Where to Look
00:28:59 - From Street Culture to Shelf Appeal: Tracking Trends
00:30:01 - Why a Strong Brand Story Beats a Viral Formula
00:30:41 - The Secret to a Sellable Product Line
00:31:11 - Marketing That Connects—Without the Fluff
00:32:04 - What Buyers Want to Hear in a Pitch
00:33:29 - Want Sephora? Here’s What They’ll Ask First
00:39:32 - Building a Beauty Brand from Scratch (Without Guesswork)
00:42:43 - How Vendor Relationships Can Make or Break Your Launch
00:44:28 - Owning Your Formula: What Founders Need to Know
00:48:01 - Final Favorites: What Jennifer’s Loving Right Now

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Jennifer Ritter on LinkedIn
Website

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

The $6M Clean Beauty Exit That Nearly Broke Me: Trina Felber’s Story

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0700

What happens when a nurse anesthetist turns personal tragedy into a $6M clean beauty movement? In this powerful episode, Trina Felber, founder of Primal Life Organics, shares how a miscarriage sparked her mission to reimagine beauty through the lens of paleo principles—and how she went from formulating olive oil blends in her kitchen to building a 7-figure brand. You’ll hear how a niche rebrand into paleo skincare helped her dominate Google search, why education-first marketing became her biggest growth lever, and what she learned after selling 45% of her company. Trina opens up about the importance of staying aligned to your mission, even when the pressure to scale feels overwhelming. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn personal pain into purposeful growth—or how to build a clean beauty brand that breaks through the noise—this episode is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - From Personal Tragedy to Business Triumph
00:01:06 - Meet Trina Felber: Nurse Turned Beauty Pioneer
00:02:07 - A Miscarriage That Sparked a Mission
00:05:35 - Olive Oil and the First Breakthrough
00:10:21 - Reinventing Herself as Primal Life Organics
00:13:51 - How Paleo Skincare Became Her Superpower
00:16:54 - Turning Confused Customers into Raving Fans
00:19:11 - The Cavity That Changed Everything
00:20:42 - What Weston A. Price Taught Her About Teeth
00:21:13 - Creating a Tooth Powder Empire
00:22:28 - Lessons from the Frontlines of Foundership
00:23:03 - Scaling Smart: Profit Without Outside Pressure
00:24:29 - Winning Early with Story-Driven Marketing
00:26:44 - Retail Dreams, Funding Realities
00:30:53 - The Big Decision: Selling Part of the Brand
00:33:42 - What Came Next (and What She'd Change)
00:34:44 - Vision, Values, and Building Again
00:37:49 - 800 Chemicals a Day?!
00:41:15 - Where to Learn More from Trina
00:41:59 - One Last Truth for Founders

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Trina’s Website
Trina on Instagram
Trina on LinkedIn
Email: help@trinafelber.com

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

From 2% to 6%: The Positioning Shift That Transformed Miss Organics with Anna Gecheva

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0700

What happens when “clean beauty” isn’t enough? In this episode, Aggie sits down with Anna Gecheva, founder of Miss Organics, to unpack how a single positioning shift turned a generic brand into a clear standout — tripling their conversion rate from 2% to 6%. Anna shares how listening to her audience through a simple survey, testing a bold “Clean doesn’t always mean safe” message, and running a $10/day Meta ad test unlocked overnight sales and new growth. If you’re tired of blending in, this story will show you exactly how to claim your own blue ocean and scale smarter.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Welcome to Beauty and the Brand
00:00:52 - Meet Anna: The Force Behind Miss Organics
00:01:47 - From Corporate Finance to Clean Beauty
00:02:25 - Why “Clean” Isn’t a Differentiator Anymore
00:04:02 - The Survey That Changed Everything
00:04:55 - One Message, One Test, Triple Conversions
00:14:42 - $10 Ads, Bold Hooks, Big Results
00:26:10 - The Truth About Skincare Quizzes and Misleading Ads
00:27:23 - Before & After: The Visuals That Sell
00:28:21 - Precision Targeting: Where the Real ROI Lives
00:29:43 - Retargeting 101: What Actually Works
00:31:00 - Simplifying Your Campaigns Without Losing Impact
00:34:12 - Daily Habits That Drive Sales
00:35:43 - Sending Traffic to the Right Product Pages
00:43:02 - Why Conversion Rate is Your Brand’s Pulse
00:44:54 - Final Thoughts, Takeaways & Where to Find Anna

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Miss Organics Website
Miss Organics Instagram (Brand)
Instagram (Anna Gecheva)
Anna on LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

(Replay) Track These 3 Numbers to Grow Smarter and Avoid Inventory Nightmares with Danielle Monogue

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0700

What if I told you that selling fewer units could actually make you more money?

In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, I’m joined by Danielle Monogue—former corporate retail exec and now founder of The RetailOI—who helps Indie Beauty Brands like yours get crystal clear on inventory strategy, margins, and retail readiness. And trust me, she drops some serious truth bombs.

Danielle breaks down a real pricing scenario where one shift led to 5x profit—yep, with fewer units sold. We also get into the messy side of inventory planning, hidden costs in your packaging decisions, scrappy forecasting tips, and what big retailers expect that most founders don’t realize until it’s too late.

If you’ve been chasing more sales but feeling the squeeze in your cash flow, this episode is going to flip the script. Let’s talk about making your inventory work smarter, not harder.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - The Truth About Sales vs. Profit
00:02:26 - Inventory Mistakes That Could Kill Your Margins
00:05:50 - Run Lean, Scale Smart: Inventory Hacks That Work
00:10:46 - Beating Tariffs & Rethinking Your Supply Chain
00:15:04 - Forecast Like a Pro (Even Without Data)
00:23:46 - Ready for Retail? What Founders Need to Know
00:29:09 - Tools That Make Inventory Less Painful
00:34:10 - Final Takeaways That Could Save You Thousands

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
TheRetailOI Website
Danielle Monogue on LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Positioned to Win: How to Craft a Beauty Brand with Staying Power with Rachel Roberts Mattox

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Ever wonder why some brands thrive for years while others disappear overnight? It’s never just about looking pretty — it’s about what’s underneath the surface. Aggie Burnett sits down with brand strategist Rachel Roberts Mattox — the strategist behind standout indie names like Captain Blankenship and Ranavat. They break down why pretty packaging won’t save you if your brand has no layers of meaning. Rachel shares how to craft uncopyable brand DNA, when a rebrand is worth the risk, how to build a hero product that keeps customers loyal, and how to stay culturally relevant when trends shift overnight. If you’re an indie beauty founder ready to position your brand to win, this is your blueprint.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Welcome to Beauty and the Brand: Where Real Brands Are Built
00:01:02 - Meet Rachel Roberts Mattox: The Brand DNA Powerhouse
00:02:22 - Why Brand Strategy Beats Pretty Packaging
00:04:17 - Rebranding Traps That Cost Founders Thousands
00:06:40 - Crafting Brand Identity with Layers of Meaning
00:12:57 - Inside Votary’s Success: Story Meets Strategy
00:20:58 - How Captain Blankenship Revitalized Without Losing Its Soul
00:27:37 - Staying Culturally Relevant When Trends Shift
00:36:17 - Indie Brands Getting It Right Right Now
00:42:21 - Rachel’s Go-To Products & Final Brand Wisdom

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
RachelRobertsMattox.com
Instagram: @RachelRobertsMattox
Rachel Roberts Mattox on LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

The Email List Growth Playbook for Time-Starved Founders with Leah Hacker

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0700

What if the secret to growing your beauty brand wasn’t more hours or money—but knowing exactly where to focus? This founder figured it out, and it changed everything. In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, host Aggie Burnett gets tactical with Leah Hacker, the founder of Hayven by Leah—a clean beauty brand crafted for sensitive skin and busy women. With just 10 hours a week, Leah has built a brand her customers rave about, with a 1.95% website conversion rate and a deeply loyal following. Together, she and Aggie dig into how to activate word-of-mouth referrals, structure list-building campaigns that are actually doable, and map out quarterly promotions that build momentum—without relying on constant discounts. This is the episode for any founder ready to grow smarter, not harder.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Kicking Off: Meet Leah and Her Brand Journey
00:01:45 - From Confused Messaging to a Crystal-Clear Website
00:02:30 - Juggling Mom Life and Building a Brand
00:03:27 - What a 1.95% Conversion Rate Really Means
00:04:25 - Turning Email Into a Revenue Machine
00:05:34 - The Referral Program Hiding in Plain Sight
00:09:11 - Stop Random Sales: Plan These Instead
00:16:49 - The Power of Word-of-Mouth—Done Right
00:21:01 - The Real Cost Behind Gifting Campaigns
00:21:27 - Why Warm Leads > Cold Traffic (Always)
00:22:47 - The Lead Gen Strategy You Can Start Tomorrow
00:23:01 - Easy Ways to Promote Campaigns with Email + Social
00:24:01 - This Teacher Appreciation Idea Is Pure Gold
00:26:27 - Instagram or Facebook? The Answer May Surprise You
00:31:23 - Quarterly Activations: Map Your Momentum
00:33:46 - Free Consults + Freebies That Actually Convert
00:37:19 - Final Action Plan for Busy Founders

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Hayven by Leah – Clean Beauty for Sensitive Skin
Hayven by Leah on Instagram: @hayvenbyleah

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Artistry Meets Entrepreneurship: The Making of Jenn of Arch with Jenepher Reynolds

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 17:00:00 -0700

Aggie sits down with beauty entrepreneur and makeup artist Jenepher Reynolds, the founder of Jenn of Arch. From her 12-year-old self erasing eyebrows off Vogue covers to building a brand rooted in artistry and authenticity, Jenepher opens up about her evolution—one shaped by deep self-doubt, career pivots, and powerful mentorship. They talk about the lessons learned from being on set, the nuances of working with lighting and texture, and how a single opportunity changed everything. You’ll walk away inspired to own your voice, trust your instincts, and take bold, imperfect action—even when fear shows up at the door.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Battling Self-Doubt and Stepping Into Her Power
00:00:31 - Meet the Brow Boss Behind Jenn of Arch
00:01:18 - A 12-Year-Old Vogue Addict with a Brow Pencil Obsession
00:03:19 - The Unexpected Leap from Fashion to Makeup Mastery
00:06:33 - First Sets, First Mistakes, and Lessons You Can’t Google
00:10:49 - Finding Her Signature Style and Reading the Face Like Art
00:19:46 - Makeup as an Art Form, Not Just Application
00:20:05 - Building a Studio That Felt Like Home for Clients and Creatives
00:21:10 - Why She Created Custom Products (Even When It Wasn’t Easy)
00:22:30 - When the Inner Critic Is Louder Than the Applause
00:24:48 - The Game-Changing Tool for Perfect Brows—No Guesswork Required
00:33:50 - Pro Makeup Tricks Every Mature Skin Needs to Know
00:38:19 - What’s Next for Jenn of Arch: New Drops, Big Dreams
00:39:09 - Final Words of Wisdom for Beauty Brand Founders Everywhere

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Jenepher Reynolds on LinkedIn
Website

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Track These 3 Numbers to Grow Smarter and Avoid Inventory Nightmares with Danielle Monogue

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0700

What if I told you that selling fewer units could actually make you more money?

If you’ve been chasing more sales but feeling the squeeze in your cash flow, this episode is going to flip the script. Let’s talk about making your inventory work smarter, not harder.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - The Truth About Sales vs. Profit
00:02:26 - Inventory Mistakes That Could Kill Your Margins
00:05:50 - Run Lean, Scale Smart: Inventory Hacks That Work
00:10:46 - Beating Tariffs & Rethinking Your Supply Chain
00:15:04 - Forecast Like a Pro (Even Without Data)
00:23:46 - Ready for Retail? What Founders Need to Know
00:29:09 - Tools That Make Inventory Less Painful
00:34:10 - Final Takeaways That Could Save You Thousands

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
TheRetailOI Website
Danielle Monogue on LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Pitch Like a Pro: PR Tips Beauty Founders Can Use Today with Gloria Chou

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0700

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by PR—unsure where to start, convinced you need connections or a hefty budget—this episode will flip that belief on its head. PR strategist and host of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou, joins Aggie Burnett to unpack the CPR method, a proven pitching framework that has helped beauty and wellness founders land features in Forbes, Oprah’s Favorite Things, Vogue, and more—all without pay-to-play schemes or traditional gatekeepers.

Gloria shares exactly how to craft irresistible, relevant PR pitches, how to break into holiday gift guides, and which four free tools will instantly level up your media outreach game. This is the ultimate guide for beauty brand founders who want to build credibility, generate organic traffic, and become the go-to name in their niche—starting now.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - The DIY PR Revolution Begins
00:00:55 - Gloria Chou’s No-Fluff Founder Journey
00:01:35 - Why Traditional PR is Broken
00:02:48 - The Secret Sauce of Earned Media
00:04:42 - Crafting Pitches That Actually Land
00:10:23 - Finding Your Perfect Media Match
00:12:00 - Tools That Make You a PR Powerhouse
00:16:29 - Start Before You’re Ready
00:17:03 - How Editors Really Work Behind the Scenes
00:17:57 - Follow-Up Like a Pro
00:20:06 - Choosing Outlets That Move the Needle
00:22:57 - Cracking the Gift Guide Game
00:27:27 - What’s Next for PR in 2025?
00:28:38 - From Scratch to Spotlight: Building Your PR Momentum
00:30:16 - Gloria’s Go-To Beauty Faves
00:31:52 - Free Tools & Pitching Resources to Keep Going

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Website
Gloria on Instagram: @gloriachoupr
Gloria on LinkedIn
DM “beauty” to Gloria on Instagram for a pitching bonus made just for beauty founders

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

3 Moves That Turned a Struggling Brand Into a 100% Year-Over-Year Growth Machine with Marissa Rodriguez

Tue, 27 May 2025 04:00:00 -0700

What if you didn’t have to choose between scaling a wildly successful eCommerce brand and living life on your terms? In this episode, Aggie Burnett sits down with Marissa Rodriguez—former COO turned 8-figure eCommerce growth strategist—who’s helped founders generate over $100 million in online revenue while working remotely from Greece. Marissa shares her playbook for building “boring businesses” that are anything but—ones grounded in performance, clarity, and a freedom-first mindset. You’ll learn the 3 clicks that actually drive revenue, how to avoid the “go viral” trap, and why being a generalist might be your most powerful founder trait. If you’ve ever felt scattered, undercapitalized, or uncertain about your next growth step—this one’s for you.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro: Scaling Without Burnout—The “Boring” Business Advantage
00:01:01 - Meet Marissa: From Corporate Executive to $100M Ecom Mentor
00:01:39 - The Wake-Up Call: When Comfort Crashed and Freedom Called
00:03:35 - Greece, Guts & Growth: Why I Left Everything Behind
00:06:08 - Time Zones & Traction: The Global Edge You’re Not Using
00:07:56 - Proof It Works: How My Clients Earned 8 Figures Online
00:15:15 - Revenue That Lasts: My 3-Click Framework for Predictable Sales
00:20:57 - DTC Brands, Listen Up: Why Your Growth Strategy Feels Scattered
00:28:07 - The Meta Misunderstanding: What You’re Getting Wrong About Paid Ads
00:29:26 - Funnels Aren’t Dead—You’re Just Not Using Them Right
00:30:17 - Growth Is a System: Why Ecosystem Thinking Wins
00:37:22 - Nobody Wins Alone: The Hidden Power of Mentors & Strategic Allies
00:44:14 - AI in Ecom: What Founders Should Actually Be Paying Attention To
00:49:50 - How to Increase AOV Without Getting Gimmicky
00:51:14 - Founders, Track This: The Metrics That Matter Most
00:52:34 - Want to Work Together? Mentorship, Resources & What’s Next
00:53:59 - Wrap Up: Your Brand, Your Terms, Your Timeline

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Through Experience® Website
Marissa Rodriguez on LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

How This Anti-Aging Spa Founder Turned Failures Into a Thriving NYC Business with Dorota Wallace

Tue, 20 May 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie sits down with Dorota Wallace, founder of Berry Blonde Spa, to explore how she transformed an $800 rented room into one of Manhattan’s most trusted luxury anti-aging spas—with zero outside funding and no paid ads. Dorota opens up about the failures that fueled her future, the mindset shifts that freed her from being a slave to her schedule, and her unapologetically intentional approach to client care and treatment selection. From her 75% conversion rate using Groupon (yes, really!) to why she believes nurses are the future of the spa industry, Dorota delivers a masterclass in scaling with integrity, grit, and genuine connection. If you’re a beauty brand founder looking to break into the spa market—or craving a reminder that doing business your way can work—this one’s for you.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Betting on Herself & Starting from Scratch
00:01:02 - Meet Dorota Wallace: From Nursing to NYC Spa Royalty
00:02:06 - Corporate Burnout to Spa Breakthrough
00:04:01 - What a Failed Partnership Taught Her About Business
00:08:34 - Groupon Goldmine: How She Converted 75% of Clients
00:12:45 - Building a Spa That Feels Like a Five-Star Hotel
00:20:12 - Her No-Fluff Approach to Skincare Protocols
00:21:42 - The Real ROI of Relationship-First Business
00:23:33 - How to Turn First-Time Clients Into Lifelong Fans
00:27:04 - From Burned Out to CEO: Her Biggest Mindset Shift
00:31:36 - Trendspotting & Why She Won’t Sell Just Anything
00:39:19 - Real Talk: What It Takes to Thrive in the Spa Industry
00:40:51 - What’s Next for Berry Blonde Spa?

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Berry Blonde Spa Website
Dorota Wallace on LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

C2C Member Shares the 3 Secrets to Scaling Your Beauty Brand—From a Hairdresser Who Cracked the Retail Code with Gloria Edge

Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 -0700

What happens when a former punk band manager turned salon owner decides to rewrite the rules of salon retail? You get Gloria Edge—founder of SITCH Haircare and Edge Academy. In this episode, Gloria shares how she scaled her salon from two to twelve chairs during a recession, why clean beauty often falls short for pros, and how she and her husband Anthony spent over a decade developing a haircare and styling line that hairdressers actually trust. Her brand journey took a major leap during her time in the Conventional to Cult Status (C2C) Accelerator, where she refined her brand positioning, built a community-led launch plan, and aligned her mission with her market. With no final packaging, no product shots, and no paid ads, Gloria generated powerful momentum by simply sharing her journey offline—with stylists, students, and salons. The result? Two sold-out production runs of a haircare line that the community had already claimed as their own. If you’re looking to build not just a product, but a movement—this conversation is your blueprint.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Why Consistency Still Wins in 2025
00:00:53 - Welcome to Beauty and the Brand
00:00:57 - Meet Gloria Edge: Punk Bands, Salons & Disruption
00:02:03 - From Behind the Chair to Building a Brand
00:03:50 - Spotting the Broken Gaps in Salon Retail
00:05:08 - Growing a Salon in a Recession (And Thriving)
00:06:21 - How Personalized Picks Create Raving Clients
00:08:04 - The Pre-Launch Playbook That Sparked a Sellout
00:10:04 - Launching a Refillable Line Without a Single Ad
00:15:50 - Turning Grassroots Hype Into Lasting Momentum
00:23:32 - Scaling Through Connection, Not Campaigns
00:26:41 - When 50 Salons Isn’t Enough
00:27:57 - The Relationship-First Approach to Brand Growth
00:28:27 - Giving Hairdressers the Tools to Thrive
00:30:03 - Bootcamps That Actually Move the Needle
00:32:26 - The Email Tweak That Boosted Conversions
00:35:02 - Becoming a B Corp (And Why It Matters)
00:41:09 - Real Talk: Why Community is Everything
00:49:25 - What’s Next for SITCH and Edge Academy
00:51:47 - Final Words on Building With Heart

Links and Resources:

👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
SITCH Haircare Website
Edge Academy Website
Gloaria on LinkedIn: Gloria Edge

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

How Dermazen Grew from a DIY Serum to Nearly 8 Figures by Overdelivering to Their Niche

Tue, 06 May 2025 04:00:00 -0700

What if the secret to an iconic beauty brand lies in a Reddit post, a few failed experiments, and a relentless drive to serve a community?

In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, Aggie sits down with Austin Beals, co-founder and CEO of Dermazen, a DTC skincare brand born out of a decade-long battle with seborrheic dermatitis. Austin shares how his personal skin struggles led to a breakthrough product, and how that formula—originally posted for free online—sparked a movement and a business now on the cusp of 8-figure growth. You’ll learn how Austin used customer feedback loops, educational marketing, and biofilm-busting skincare science to build a loyal base of raving fans (without big ad budgets or fancy labs). Whether you're DIY-ing your first formula or dreaming of becoming a category leader, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways for founders ready to grow with intention, impact, and innovation.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - When Ads Actually Work: The Power of Raw, Real Moments
00:01:22 - Meet Austin Beals: From Digital Marketer to Dermazen CEO
00:02:30 - 10 Years of Flare-Ups: My Battle With Seborrheic Dermatitis
00:05:23 - A Kitchen Breakthrough: The Formula That Finally Worked
00:18:39 - How a Skin Crisis Sparked the Dermazen Mission
00:25:54 - From Free Samples to a Fast-Growing Brand
00:32:54 - Why You Need 30+ Versions of the Same Ad
00:34:46 - Emails That Convert: Dermazen’s Retention Engine
00:35:45 - Trust First, Revenue Follows: Our Customer Philosophy
00:37:46 - Vulnerability Converts: What We’ve Learned About Authentic Ads
00:43:17 - Speak to Their Pain: Messaging That Builds Movements
00:47:45 - Scaling Without Compromise: The Growth Journey
00:53:05 - The Product That Took 20 Iterations to Get Right
01:02:29 - What’s Next: Partnerships, Products, and Serving More People
01:04:59 - Final Words for Founders: Start Messy, Stay Focused

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Website
Austin on LinkedIn
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Hot Seat with Aggie: From Zero to 70 Retailers — Scaling a Sustainable Skincare Brand Fast with Tuna Ziver Yoney

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0700

What does it really take to skyrocket your beauty brand’s wholesale growth in just a few months?

In today’s Hot Seat episode, Aggie sits down with Tuna Ziver Yoney, founder of Ziver Organiques, to unpack how he grew his sustainable skincare brand by 260%, landed 70 new retail partners, and transitioned from Etsy side hustle to full-time founder — all in just four months! Tuna gets real about the behind-the-scenes strategies that made it happen: refining his niche, optimizing his wholesale process, and harnessing the power of upcycled ingredients. Plus, you’ll hear Aggie workshop live with Tuna on how to further scale his retailer partnerships for even bigger success. If you’re ready to turn one-time orders into repeat customers (and boost your bottom line!), you won't want to miss this one.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - A New Chapter: From Finance to Beauty
00:01:29 - Welcome to Beauty and the Brand
00:01:33 - Meet Tuna: Purpose-Driven Skincare Innovator
00:03:15 - How Ziver Organiques Was Born
00:05:10 - Breaking Barriers: Challenges That Sparked Innovation
00:08:20 - Cracking the Code: Wholesale Growth Secrets
00:12:44 - Mastering the Art of Wholesale Accounts
00:21:18 - Retailer Relationships That Fuel Brand Expansion
00:39:30 - Lessons Learned: Growth, Grit, and Going Full-Time

Links and Resources:

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

The Secret to Selling Out in 48 Hours: Susannah Dellinger's Field Strategy That Converts Like Crazy

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0700

What if your retail strategy didn’t just drive sales—but told your brand story so well that your products flew off shelves?

In this powerful episode, Aggie sits down with Susannah Dellinger, the powerhouse behind Bright Beauty Collective. What started as casual conversations on Clubhouse became a booming multi-seven-figure business connecting mission-driven beauty brands with high-converting retail field teams. From partnering with indie darlings like RMS Beauty to selling out a single mascara across Credo stores in 48 hours, Susannah reveals how storytelling is the secret sauce behind retail success.

Expect real talk on the journey from solo consultant to CEO, the moment she pivoted her business model for scale, and how she’s using beauty as a force for good. If you’ve ever wondered how to go from indie brand to retail star—this episode’s your blueprint.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Kicking Things Off: Meet the Woman Behind the Mission
00:01:05 - From Theater Major to Beauty CEO: Susannah's Wild Pivot
00:02:02 - A Personal Beauty Journey Rooted in Healing and Identity
00:04:09 - What “Impact Beauty” Really Means (And Why It Matters Now)
00:05:41 - The Accidental Birth of a National Beauty Agency
00:08:59 - Scaling Fast: From One Freelancer to a National Team
00:12:43 - The Mascara That Sold Out in 48 Hours (Yes, Really)
00:22:43 - What Every New Brand Must Know Before Pitching Retail
00:24:18 - How to Build Relationships That Get You In Stores
00:24:52 - Understanding KPIs and The Halo Effect in Retail
00:26:10 - What to Budget (and What to Skip) in Your Next Launch
00:26:52 - How to Work With Buyers (Without Getting Ghosted)
00:27:21 - Launch Timing: Why When You Drop Matters More Than You Think
00:29:32 - What Retail Longevity Looks Like (Beyond the Hype)
00:31:00 - Activating Community: The Power of Hyperlocal Events
00:33:19 - Why the Future of Field Teams is Female (and Strategic)
00:37:02 - Susannah Gets Real About Burnout, Boundaries & Bounce-Backs
00:40:56 - How Retail is Evolving—And What That Means for Indie Brands
00:47:47 - Wrapping Up + Where to Connect With Susannah

Links and Resources:

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Founder Fails, Viral Wins: The Unfiltered Story Behind Augustnoa with Ally Lei

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie sits down with Ally Lei, founder of Augustnoa, a fashion-forward, function-first backpack brand that’s redefining what it means to carry with confidence. From losing a five-figure deposit to going viral on TikTok, Ally gets real about launching a physical product during the pandemic with no plan—just grit, optimism, and a vision. Listeners will hear how she bootstrapped her way to multi-six-figure success, landed national press and retail deals, and built an obsessed customer base by staying true to her values of sustainability, intentional design, and quality. Packed with insights on manufacturing, content marketing, founder storytelling, and customer experience—this episode is an unmissable masterclass for product-based entrepreneurs.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Why Waiting Kills Momentum
00:00:58 - Meet Ally Lei: The Bag Visionary
00:02:18 - “How Hard Can It Be?” (Very.)
00:04:08 - Betting on a Dream Mid-Pandemic
00:08:08 - When TikTok Changed Everything
00:15:31 - The Bag That Does It All
00:17:24 - Losing Thousands, Finding the One
00:24:43 - Funding It Herself—Every Step Counts
00:26:59 - Sustainability Isn’t Cheap (Or Easy)
00:29:30 - When Big Brands Start Copying You
00:30:48 - Emails from Customers that Hit Deep
00:32:24 - Redefining “Just Another Backpack”
00:37:02 - Content, Community, and Going Viral
00:40:03 - Landing Bloomingdale’s and What’s Next
00:45:40 - Celebs, Influencers, and Organic Wins
00:49:21 - Cry, Pivot, Repeat: The Founder Life
00:52:57 - Her No-BS Advice to Every Founder

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Ally on LinkedIn
Augustnoa

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Inside the $100K+ Launch Playbook: What It Really Takes to Launch Indeed Labs into Mass Retail with Dimitra Davidson

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie Burnett sits down with Dimitra Davidson, co-founder of Indeed Labs and visionary behind pH-In™ Skin, the world’s first microbiome-certified acne brand. From her unexpected leap from finance to skincare, to bootstrapping into 2,500+ mass retailers and raising capital the right way—Dimitra breaks down what it takes to lead through innovation and build a product that truly solves a problem. If you’re a beauty brand founder navigating retail, funding, or product development, this episode is your roadmap.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Welcome + The Power Behind Purpose
00:01:17 - Meet Dimitra Davidson: Breaking the Beauty Mold
00:02:06 - From Stocks to Skincare: A Bold Career Pivot
00:05:24 - What Actually Drives a Thriving Brand
00:07:14 - Risk, Reward, and Resilience in Entrepreneurship
00:10:27 - The Birth of Indeed Labs: Disruption Starts Here
00:17:40 - Acne, Reimagined: The Science Behind pH-In™ Skin
00:23:33 - Building a Brand That Stands for Something
00:25:22 - How Nano Blur Took the Internet by Storm
00:25:37 - Real Talk: Early Mistakes and Strategic Pivots
00:26:11 - Marketing That Moves the Needle
00:28:19 - Best Sellers That Keep Selling
00:29:17 - Going Global: The Power of Boots UK
00:30:32 - Retail Success Without Selling Out
00:33:11 - Can AI Solve Skincare?
00:38:40 - Culture, Teamwork, and Scalable Leadership
00:40:36 - To the Next Gen: A Message to Women Founders
00:47:31 - Dimitra’s Favorites + Final Words of Wisdom

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Indeed Labs
pH-In™ Skin
Dimitra Davidson on LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

7x Your Sales with Messaging That Hits Where It Hurts (and Converts) with Sasha Fedunchak

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie Burnett sits down with Sasha Fedunchak—founder of Daring Haus and Powerhaus Media—to unpack what it really takes to stand out in the saturated beauty space. From how Intoxicated Cosmetics achieved 726% growth in just four months to Sasha’s VEC² content framework that turns browsers into buyers, this episode is packed with tactical gems. You’ll learn how emotional storytelling, bold positioning, and community-driven content can skyrocket your brand’s impact—whether you’re bootstrapping or scaling into major retailers.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Why Most Beauty Brands Miss the Mark on Social
00:00:59 - Meet Sasha: The No-Fluff Influence Expert
00:01:45 - From Anthropology to Beauty Branding Queen
00:04:17 - Leaving Corporate to Build a 6-Figure Spray Tan Brand
00:07:05 - The Pivot That Sparked a Beauty Empire
00:07:28 - Your Superpower? Deep Customer Connection
00:08:58 - The Real Secret to Standing Out in Beauty
00:10:18 - Influence 101: How to Make People Say Yes
00:15:04 - 726% Sales Growth: The Intoxicated Cosmetics Case Study
00:24:01 - Messaging That Makes Customers Obsess Over You
00:25:06 - One Testimonial = $7K? How Social Proof Sells
00:26:39 - The Fatal Mistake Most Founders Make
00:27:18 - Want Raving Fans? Be Willing to Repel
00:33:01 - Budget Truths: Why Beautiful Brands Still Fail
00:37:00 - Organic Traffic That Actually Converts
00:43:40 - From Followers to Evangelists: Building True Community
00:46:03 - Final Takeaways + Where to Find Sasha

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Sasha on Linkedin
Daring Haus and Powerhaus Media

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

How to Launch and Rank #1 on Etsy Without Ads (The Lavender Meadows Blueprint) with Kyra Venable

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0700

What happens when a new mom, overwhelmed by postpartum skin issues and tired of feeling like an afterthought, creates her own skincare solution from scratch? In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, host Aggie Burnett chats with Kyra Venable, founder of Lavender Meadows, about how she transformed DIY formulations and one-star reviews into a top-ranked Etsy brand that’s now served over 5,000 moms. With no funding and a “just go for it” attitude, Kyra shares the scrappy strategies, raw lessons, and customer-driven insights that helped her grow a bootstrapped beauty business from her kitchen to cult favorite. Whether you’re launching or scaling, this episode is packed with practical inspiration for founders ready to build without waiting for perfect.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Welcome to Beauty and the Brand
00:01:23 - Meet Kyra Venable: Mama, Founder & Formulator
00:02:00 - Postpartum Struggles Spark a Skincare Mission
00:04:08 - Mixing in the Kitchen: From Hobby to Hustle
00:05:37 - The One-Star Review That Changed Everything
00:10:41 - How Lavender Meadows Dominated on Etsy
00:14:01 - Battling Competition and Building a Real Brand
00:17:17 - Defining Her Customer and Standing Out Online
00:24:19 - Turning DMs Into Sales: Customer Engagement 101
00:25:51 - Why Email Marketing Still Converts
00:26:18 - Real Talk on Events and Instagram Burnout
00:27:16 - Hosting With Heart: Building Deeper Community
00:30:12 - Pivoting Product Strategy Without Losing Vision
00:34:31 - Asking for Help and Leveling Up as a Founder
00:44:59 - What’s Next for Kyra (and Lavender Meadows)
00:47:56 - Favorite Products, Real Talk & A Final Word

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Kyra Venable on LinkedIn
Lavender Meadows Website
Kyra on Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

How This Founder Achieved 300% Growth in One Year (and You Can Too!) with Cheryl Kelly

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie sits down with Cheryl Kelly, founder of Cheryl Kelly & Co., to talk about how she grew her business by 300% in one year. Cheryl shares how she started formulating skincare out of frustration with store-bought products, how her mom’s reaction to her first serum changed everything, and why she built her brand through face-to-face connection instead of relying on ads. She opens up about doing 76 markets in one year, what she’s learned about in-person selling, and how putting herself out there and creating community has been the key to her success. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a passion into a thriving business, this episode is filled with real insights and lessons learned from the ground up.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - How One Skincare Product Changed Everything
00:01:22 - Meet Cheryl Kelly: From DIY to CEO
00:02:25 - Cracking the Code on the Perfect Vegan Face Serum
00:04:11 - Testing, Tweaking & the Jaw-Dropping First Review
00:05:25 - From Personal Project to People Begging for More
00:07:09 - The Struggles, Wins & “Aha” Moments That Built a Brand
00:09:31 - How Cheryl Sold Out Without a Massive Marketing Budget
00:12:32 - Turning a Passion for Health into a Thriving Business
00:15:13 - Big Ideas, Bigger Moves: Expanding Beyond Expectations
00:19:18 - The Selling Strategy That Skyrocketed Her Growth
00:31:11 - 300% Growth in One Year—Here’s How She Did It
00:31:59 - The Secret Weapon of Every Successful Founder
00:33:24 - Cheryl’s Show-Stopping Setup That Draws Customers In
00:36:04 - The Power of Partnering With the Right People
00:39:11 - The Smartest Way to Pick Profitable Markets
00:43:10 - The One Business Task Cheryl Refuses to Do Herself
00:46:40 - This Unexpected Strategy Exploded Her Local Sales
00:55:27 - Big News: Cheryl’s Opening a Brick-and-Mortar Store!
00:56:40 - How Positivity Became a Business Superpower
00:58:15 - What Every Beauty Founder Needs to Hear Right Now
00:01:00:11 - The Real Key to Success? Building a Brand That Lasts
00:01:01:45 - Where to Find Cheryl & What’s Next for Her Brand

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Cheryl on Linkedin
Cheryl Kelly & Co

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Creating Multiple Income Streams through Workshops, Retail & Digital Education with Maya Aleksic

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, Aggie Burnett sits down with holistic beauty expert Maya Aleksic, founder and formulator of Tarli Holistic Cosmetics. As an esthetician and face yoga instructor, Maya has mastered the art of blending high-performance botanicals, facial massage, and mindfulness into skincare rituals that redefine beauty. She shares how face yoga and massage can serve as a natural alternative to Botox and fillers, why so many people are now moving away from invasive treatments, and how she turned her passion for holistic skincare into a thriving brand. Plus, Maya reveals the simple 10-minute face yoga routine that can lift, tone, and rejuvenate your skin—no needles required!

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Finding mindfulness in a busy world
00:01:03 - Introduction to Maya Aleksic and her holistic approach
00:01:51 - The power of facial yoga and massage
00:09:58 - Building a business through education and community
00:17:14 - Connecting workshops to product sales
00:20:48 - Promoting workshops and reaching new audiences
00:23:04 - Discovering the calling
00:23:59 - Inspiration from strong women
00:24:30 - Balancing life and career
00:24:53 - Building a community
00:27:11 - Retail partnerships and workshops
00:30:10 - Tips for hosting successful events
00:34:21 - Creating content and engaging customers
00:41:32 - Future plans and final thoughts

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
May’s Website: Tarli Holistic Cosmetics
Maya’s Instagram: @tarlicosmetics
Maya on LinkedIn: Maya Aleksic
Maya’s Email: mayaesthetics@gmail.com

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Smart Hiring & Financial Tips for Beauty Entrepreneurs with Sade Jennings

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, Sade Jennings, founder of MFABI, reveals the fulfillment and logistics strategies that help beauty brands scale without chaos. She dives into the biggest mistakes founders make, from overspending on packaging to hiring too soon, and shares how to track financials like a pro to stay profitable. Sade also unpacks how to adapt in an evolving industry, leverage AI and automation for efficiency, and navigate global expansion without losing control. Whether you’re an emerging brand or scaling fast, this episode is packed with practical, money-saving insights you don’t want to miss!

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Turning Challenges into Triumphs – How setbacks shape success stories
00:01:02 - Meet Sade Jennings – The mastermind behind MFABI’s fulfillment revolution
00:01:46 - From Fashion to Fulfillment – Sade’s bold pivot into logistics
00:03:24 - Scaling Smart – Growing brands with strategic fulfillment solutions
00:05:59 - Why Planning is Everything – Execution tips from an industry pro
00:15:34 - Biggest Business Mistakes – Lessons learned from the trenches
00:22:29 - Going Global – How to expand without losing your brand’s soul
00:25:53 - Complacency Kills Growth – How to stay ahead in business
00:26:40 - Fact-Check Everything – Avoid costly mistakes with due diligence
00:27:04 - Setting Realistic Growth Goals – The roadmap to sustainable success
00:27:57 - Your Team, Your Power – How employees shape your business outcomes
00:28:43 - Gut Instinct vs. Data – Trusting your intuition in decision-making
00:29:17 - Big Biz vs. Small Brands – Key differences & what startups can learn
00:32:58 - Mastering Your Finances – The non-negotiable skill for business owners
00:38:10 - Cost-Cutting Strategies – How to save without sacrificing quality
00:41:21 - Who to Hire & When – Finding the right talent for growth
00:47:47 - Tech & Innovation – The future of fulfillment in beauty and wellness
00:49:50 - Women in Business – Breaking barriers and building legacies
00:50:43 - Wrapping Up – Where to find Sade & how MFABI can help your brand

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Sade Jennings on LinkedIn
MFABI

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

How to Launch with Limited Funds and Maximize Growth with Amy Galper

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, Aggie sits down with clean beauty pioneer and product development expert Amy Galper to chat about what it really takes to launch a standout beauty brand—without spending years in R&D. Amy shares her insider strategies for accelerating product development, avoiding costly formulation mistakes, and ensuring your brand stands out in a crowded market. They also get real about the evolution of clean beauty, why some brands thrive while others fade, and how founders can balance sustainability with profitability. If you’re looking to scale smarter, position your brand powerfully, and get your products into the hands of the right customers faster, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Cracking Open the Clean Beauty Conversation
00:01:03 - Amy Galper Enters the Chat
00:02:26 - The Unexpected Spark That Started It All
00:06:13 - A Shopping Cart, A Vision, and a School
00:08:29 - The Highs and Lows of a Brick-and-Mortar Business
00:11:01 - From Idea to Bookshelf: Writing on Aromatherapy
00:13:00 - Back When Clean Beauty Wasn't a Thing
00:22:05 - What Is Clean Beauty Anyway?
00:28:05 - Science vs. Sentiment: The Retail Dilemma
00:35:58 - Getting a Product to Market Faster
00:36:33 - Why Your Chemist Needs a Roadmap
00:38:57 - The Real Work of Defining Your Customer
00:43:14 - Ingredient Research: The Skill Every Founder Needs
00:46:54 - From Kitchen Experiments to Shelf-Ready Products
00:50:28 - Clean, Sustainable… and Still Profitable?
00:55:49 - The New Frontier of Beauty Ingredients
00:58:49 - What It Takes to Last in Beauty
01:02:05 - The One Thing Every Founder Should Know
01:04:49 - Where to Find Amy & What’s Next

Links and Resources:

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

The Content Strategy That Led to $200K in Sales for a New Brand with Carla Serrano

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie sits down with Carla Serrano, social media strategist and content expert, to talk about how beauty founders can grow their brands online—without overcomplicating the process. Carla shares her video-first approach, how she helped Beautycon gain 70K followers in one weekend, and why consistency, authenticity, and creating value are the keys to standing out. She also breaks down how to repurpose content effortlessly, the role of top-funnel content for reach, and why even simple, low-effort videos can drive real results. If you’ve ever felt stuck on what to post or worried your content isn’t landing, Carla’s insights will give you a clear path forward.

Chapters:

00:00:00 – The One Thing Your Social Media Strategy Needs
00:01:17 – Meet Carla: From Social Work to Social Media
00:02:45 – A Career Pivot That Changed Everything
00:07:59 – Why Video Is Your Brand’s Secret Weapon
00:12:38 – Houston, Networking, and Unexpected Collaborations
00:16:11 – Breaking Through the Noise on Social Media
00:22:44 – Organic Growth: What Actually Works in 2024
00:31:33 – The Gym Struggle Is Real (But So Is Habit-Building)
00:32:22 – Top Strategies for Turning Content Into Conversions
00:34:56 – The Beautycon Revival: How 70K Followers Happened
00:36:48 – What Makes Content Engaging (Hint: It’s Not Perfection)
00:43:19 – The Real Power of Showing Up Consistently
00:49:51 – Game-Changing Tools for Easy Content Creation
00:52:09 – Which Social Platform Is Right for Your Brand?
00:54:17 – The Future of Social Media (And What to Prepare For)
00:56:00 – A Fresh Start and a DIY Social Strategy for Founders

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Carla on Instagram
Dial Zero Marketing

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

PR, Ads & In-Person Events—This Multi-Channel Strategy Can Make Your Brand a Household Name with Irene Dele-Adejumo

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie has a chat with powerhouse beauty entrepreneur Irene Dele-Adejumo, the founder of Omolewa Cosmetics. Irene spills the tea on how she scaled her beauty brand by a jaw-dropping 115%-125% year over year, pivoted from wholesale to e-commerce, and landed a celebrity brand ambassador by sheer persistence. She shares the behind-the-scenes of her fearless approach—whether it’s cold pitching major retailers like Target and Sephora, running wildly successful in-person and virtual events, or personally calling customers to build die-hard brand loyalty. If you’ve ever doubted whether you can build a thriving beauty business, Irene is here to prove that with strategy, faith, and a “next, please!” attitude, nothing is out of reach.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - The Struggle With Foundation Shades: Why Every Undertone Was Wrong
00:01:12 - Meet Irene Dele-Adejumo: From Chef to Beauty Boss
00:02:25 - Turning a College Side Hustle Into a Global Beauty Brand
00:04:02 - Managing Multiple Businesses and Motherhood Like a Pro
00:07:24 - The Meaning Behind Omolewa: More Than Just a Name
00:10:09 - The Beauty Industry’s Biggest Fail and How Irene Is Fixing It
00:11:49 - The Birth of Omolewa Cosmetics: From Frustration to Innovation
00:15:25 - The Power of Vision: How Irene Manifested Her Business Success
00:22:56 - Breaking Into the Ghana Market and Proving the Doubters Wrong
00:30:42 - Why In-Person Events Are Irene’s Secret to a Loyal Customer Base
00:33:10 - The Art of the Upsell: How She Gets Customers to Buy More
00:37:00 - Mastering Makeup Classes: Teaching Beauty With Purpose
00:41:24 - The Customer Connection Strategy That Skyrockets Sales
00:49:54 - The Best Advice Irene Would Give Her Younger Self
00:51:00 - Omolewa’s Bestsellers: The Must-Have Products Customers Love

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Irene on Instagram
Omolewa Cosmetics
Omolewa Cosmetics on Facebook
Omolewa Cosmetics on Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

How a Strategic Partnership Drove $10K in Sales & 3,000+ New Followers with Jennifer Davis

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie chats with Jennifer Davis, who's been in the beauty industry for over 20 years and has some serious experience, like working at Dermalogica and scaling Nurst to six figures in under a year. Jennifer talks all about how to grow fast, the importance of partnerships, and the pricing mistake that so many beauty founders make. She also tells how giving back before asking led to a 10K sales spike overnight—and why being honest is the best marketing trick in the book. Are you ready to change the way you think about scaling your beauty brand?

Chapters:

00:00:00 – The Truth Will Set Your Brand Apart
00:01:41 – From Teen Beauty Junkie to Industry Powerhouse
00:08:07 – The 6-Figure Skincare Playbook—No Ads Required
00:09:56 – The $10K Post That Changed Everything
00:15:42 – The Website Crash That Cost Thousands
00:21:58 – Why Email Still Prints Money (If You Do It Right)
00:28:50 – Reading Your Customers’ Minds (Without Creepiness)
00:30:09 – When Rebranding Is the Only Option
00:33:03 – Business Breakups & Hard Truths
00:38:18 – The Fine Line Between Art & Analytics
00:43:36 – Scaling Fast? Read This First.
00:52:02 – Success = Relationships (Here’s Why)
00:56:31 – The Part No One Talks About

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Jennifer on LinkedIn
Dermalogica
Nurst

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Why Consistency = Customers with Jeannie Jarnot

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie sits down with Jeannie Jarnot, founder of Beauty Heroes, a trailblazing clean beauty retailer and subscription box. Jeannie shares her unique journey from the spa and hospitality world to redefining clean beauty standards, revealing how her focus on consistency, creativity, and customer experience turned Beauty Heroes into a trusted industry leader. Tune in to discover her secrets to building a sustainable brand, staying ahead in an ever-evolving market, and why delivering memorable experiences matters more than ever.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Why a Great Product Isn’t Optional
00:01:15 - Meet Jeannie Jarnot: The Hospitality-Turned-Beauty Innovator
00:01:52 - From Waikiki to Hero Products: Jeannie’s Origin Story
00:05:40 - How Consistency Shapes Customer Trust
00:08:59 - Turning Hesitation Into a Retail Destination
00:15:30 - Why Creativity Fuels the Numbers in Beauty Business
00:21:52 - What Makes a Product “Heroic”?
00:30:02 - Discovering Brands That Surprise and Delight
00:31:18 - Subscription Boxes: Opportunities and Hurdles
00:32:00 - Earning Trust, One Consistent Experience at a Time
00:34:02 - Turning Education Into Empowerment
00:39:01 - Quality vs. Quantity: The Non-Negotiable Rule
00:42:48 - Sneak Peek: What’s Next in Clean Beauty Innovation
00:48:36 - Jeannie’s Advice for Founders (It’s Not What You Think)
00:55:15 - Behind the Scenes: The Beauty Heroes Blueprint

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
State of the Beauty Industry
Jeannie on LinkedIn
Jeannie on Instagram
Beauty Heroes
More links for Jeannie

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

How Press Coverage and a Cult-Favorite Product Built a 15 Year Beauty Empire with Suzanne LeRoux

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Suzanne LeRoux, founder of One Love Organics®, shares how she went from being a lawyer to building a six-figure beauty brand rooted in resilience and purpose. She opens up about the plant oil breakthrough that changed her skin (and sparked a movement), the PR moment that brought in 1,000 orders in an hour, and why playing the long game is the secret to her brand’s longevity. This is a must-listen for beauty founders looking for real talk, actionable insights, and the inspiration to create their own legacy.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Resilience & Faith: Where It All Began
00:01:18 - Unlocking the Beauty in Building a Brand with Suzanne LeRoux
00:01:48 - The Leap: From Courtrooms to Creams
00:02:41 - How One Love Organics® Was Born
00:03:34 - The Oil Breakthrough Nobody Saw Coming
00:05:03 - Starting with Three Essentials That Changed Everything
00:09:20 - When Press Turns Dreams into Reality
00:15:09 - Lessons in Customer Love: The Secret Sauce
00:17:40 - What EcoCert Certification Taught Us About Standards
00:22:54 - Reading the Future: Trends You Can’t Ignore
00:31:36 - The Botanical Bombshell: Suzanne’s Star Product
00:34:55 - Entrepreneurship Isn’t Always Pretty
00:37:05 - How Resilience Shapes a Brand’s Purpose
00:38:53 - Surviving Economic Twists & Turns
00:40:02 - Keeping the Team on Fire with Transparency
00:44:35 - Words of Gold for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
00:47:05 - Behind-the-Scenes: Retail Partnerships & Insights
00:49:31 - Winning in a VC-Dominated World
00:54:51 - What’s Next? New Launches to Watch
00:56:49 - Why Consistency Wins in the Long Run
00:58:27 - Final Thoughts: Wrapping It All Together

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
State of the Beauty Industry
Suzanne on LinkedIn
One Love Organics®

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

The $532B Skincare Market’s Secret: Immunology with Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie welcomes Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu, immunologist, cosmetic chemist, and founder of AveSeena. Together, they discuss the connection between immunology and skincare, breaking down how inflammation, hormones, and stress impact skin health—and what beauty brand founders need to know to create truly effective products. From debunking the myth of instant results to exploring the science behind sensitive skin solutions, Dr. Ebru shares her knowledge and journey, offering insights for founders looking to build smarter, science-backed brands.

Chapters:

00:00:00 – Fear-mongering vs. science: where do you stand
00:01:06 – From cancer care to skincare: meet Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu
00:02:07 – The problem that sparked a skincare revolution
00:04:23 – Your skin isn’t a wall, it’s an immune organ
00:12:45 – Hormones, menopause, and the skin you’re in
00:21:43 – Big beauty vs. indie founders: who moves faster
00:35:15 – MoCRA: the skincare industry’s new playbook
00:36:27 – Is the industry ready for MoCRA’s next chapter
00:37:34 – The global skincare standards showdown
00:38:24 – Safety isn’t optional: why testing matters
00:39:35 – Your MoCRA compliance crash course
00:42:46 – Home labs vs. compliance: can you keep up
00:43:55 – GMP decoded: the safety playbook for founders
00:47:55 – Critics, praise, and the truth about validation
00:57:16 – The clean beauty myth: what they’re not telling you
01:05:16 – Skincare simplified: the final takeaways

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu on LinkedIn
Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu on Instagram
AveSeena
ChicScience

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

From Data to Dollars: How Data-Backed Marketing Strategies Are Driving 2X ROI with Chelsya Ernina

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie sits down with Chelsya Ernina, founder of Cheya Media, to talk about relationship-based marketing and how major brands like JCPenney and AARP achieve big results with small teams. They discuss the importance of data-backed strategies, the value of customer research, and how authentic, intentional marketing can drive both sales and brand loyalty. Chelsya shares ways to balance creativity with data, why relationship-building is the secret sauce for long-term success, and how even the smallest founders can implement big-brand strategies to scale their businesses.

Chapters

00:00:00 - The Ceiling Nobody Talks About
00:01:11 - A Warm Welcome + Meet Chelsya Ernina
00:02:25 - From Pre-Med Dreams to Marketing Realities
00:03:31 - Small Teams, Big Impact: The Underdog Advantage
00:05:54 - Lessons from Giants: JCPenney, AARP & More
00:07:28 - The Truth About Data (It’s Not What You Think)
00:10:21 - Beyond the Sale: Building Real Relationships
00:17:29 - Creativity vs. Data: The Balancing Act
00:19:47 - Emails Aren’t Dead (You’re Just Using Them Wrong)
00:30:44 - Bootstrapping Realities: Scaling Without Burnout
00:39:04 - Ads That Actually Work: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
00:41:15 - Website Secrets That Double Conversions
00:43:01 - The Email Automations You’re Probably Ignoring
00:45:06 - The Paid Ads Playbook for Beginners
00:50:14 - AI Tools That Will Change Your Marketing Game
00:53:18 - If I Launched a Beauty Brand Today…
00:56:38 - Mindset Shifts That Separate Winners from Quitters
01:05:12 - Parting Words: One Hour, One Focus, One Step Forward

Links and Resources

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Chelsya Ernina
Chelsya on YouTube
Chelsya on Instagram
Seven Figure Diaries™ Podcast

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

3 Marketing Mistakes That Could Cost Your Beauty Brand Thousands in Revenue with Keemia Kaboli

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie has a conversation with Keemia Kaboli, a seasoned content strategist and creative advisor in the luxury beauty and wellness space. Together, they discuss the most common mistakes indie beauty brands make when it comes to marketing, website optimization, and content strategy. Keemia shares knowledge about why staying agile, embracing risk, and having a clear brand focus are non-negotiables for success. They also talk about the power of bundles, the importance of clarity in website design, and how brands can use AI without losing their authenticity. If you are a beauty founder looking to maximize your growth and stand out in a crowded market, tune in!

Chapters

00:00:00 – The Warm Hello: Where It All Begins
00:02:17 – Mistakes Founders Keep Making (and How to Fix Them)
00:03:43 – Instagram Archaic? TikTok Trending? Let’s Discuss.
00:06:53 – AI or Bye-Bye? How to Stay Authentic in a Digital World
00:10:59 – Your Website: The Silent Salesperson You Might Be Ignoring
00:14:34 – Amazon: Indie Brand Savior or Siphon?
00:15:32 – Clicks, Conversions & Cash: The Science of Selling More
00:19:27 – Are Trends Your Friend—or Your Undoing?
00:24:26 – Do You Have to Show Your Face? Founder Visibility Decoded
00:29:46 – Brands We’re Obsessing Over (and Why They’re Winning)
00:33:20 – The Secret Sauce: How Smart Partnerships Build Big Brands
00:34:21 – Your Superpower: Finding—and Owning—Your Zone of Genius
00:36:05 – Copywriting That Converts: Small Words, Big Impact
00:39:24 – Product Crushes: The Ones We Buy Again and Again
00:47:05 – Why the Products We Love Actually Work
00:53:18 – Authenticity Is Everything: Why Consumers Can Smell Fake
00:56:00 – The Wrap-Up: One Final Gem Before You Go

Links and Resources

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Keemia on LinkedIn
Keemia on Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

CFO Secrets Beauty Brands Don’t Talk About with Anthea Austin

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Anthea Austin, founder of Clear Margin Consulting and a seasoned CFO, joins Aggie to discuss the overlooked realities of running and scaling a successful business. From navigating debt and understanding cost of goods to mastering pricing strategies and financial forecasting, Anthea delivers a no-nonsense roadmap for founders who want to grow with clarity and confidence. Together, they explore the power of mindset in shaping financial success and share advice for building a business that thrives, not just survives.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Where Mindset Meets Magic: Choosing Abundance Over Scarcity
00:01:08 - The Gateway: A Peek Inside the Podcast's Mission
00:01:13 - Meet Anthea Austin: CPA with a Vision for Financial Transformation
00:02:59 - From Idea to Impact: How Clear Margin Consulting Was Born
00:04:22 - The Kaleidoscope of Growth: Clients, Change, and Challenges
00:06:19 - Breaking Chains: Empowering Entrepreneurs with Financial Clarity
00:13:06 - Beyond the Balance Sheet: Mastering Debt and Strategy
00:18:45 - Hidden Costs Unveiled: A Deep Dive into COGS for Beauty Brands
00:22:03 - Pricing the Priceless: Cracking the Code of Market Positioning
00:30:37 - Future Casting: Turning Financial Forecasting into Founder's Gold
00:32:41 - Outgrowing Expectations: How to Handle Sudden Surges
00:34:27 - Forecast or Fail: Why Every Beauty Brand Needs Financial Vision
00:36:56 - The Growth Compass: Year-Over-Year Done Right
00:40:21 - Numbers Tell Stories: Understanding Your Brand’s Finances
00:45:09 - Tools for Titans: Financial Hacks for Modern Entrepreneurs
00:51:59 - From Limitations to Limitless: Opportunities Hidden in Plain Sight
00:54:59 - The Phoenix Effect: Adapting, Thriving, and Soaring Higher
01:01:09 - The Final Bow: Wrapping Wisdom with Actionable Insights

Links and Resources

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Anthea on LinkedIn
Clear Margin Consulting
Financial Conversations Podcast

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Stop Being Overlooked: How to Build a Beauty Brand Everyone Talks About with Katharine L’Heureux

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Katharine L’Heureux, founder of Kahina Giving Beauty, shares her amazing journey from a pivotal trip to Morocco to creating one of the first indie brands built around sustainability and fair trade practices. Katharine talks about the challenges of sourcing premium argan oil ethically, building trust within Berber communities, and paving a path that totally changed luxury skincare. Be sure to tune in and hear Katharine explain how authenticity and perseverance can build a brand that stands the test of time while making a meaningful impact.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Why Trust is the Cornerstone of Purpose-Driven Brands
00:01:13 – Meet Katharine L’Heureux: Visionary Behind Sustainable Skincare
00:02:08 – A Life-Changing Moroccan Adventure Sparks a Beauty Brand
00:03:29 – Argan Oil: The Ingredient That Changed Everything
00:05:57 – The Struggle to Source the World’s Best Argan Oil
00:08:45 – How Ethical Sourcing Transforms Communities and Brands
00:19:05 – From Oil to Cream: Formulating a Breakthrough Skincare Line
00:26:19 – How to Break Into and Navigate the Beauty Industry
00:34:50 – Measuring Impact: Community Growth Through Business
00:37:47 – Triumphs and Tribulations: Real Talk on Business Challenges
00:40:09 – Cracking the Code to Retail Partnerships
00:42:36 – Pivoting Post-Pandemic: How COVID Created New Opportunities
00:49:49 – Family Matters: Blending Personal Life and Business Growth
00:51:59 – Sustainability Meets Strategy: Building a Legacy Brand
00:57:11 – What Every Aspiring Entrepreneur Needs to Hear
01:03:35 – A Moment of Gratitude and Final Reflections

Links and Resources

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Katharine on LinkedIn
Kahina Giving Beauty

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

From ZERO to THOUSANDS: Growing an Audience Before the Product with Tami Taddo Richards

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Tami Taddo Richards, founder of Taddo’s Tallow, shares her inspiring journey from battling severe eczema and a skin cancer diagnosis to discovering the transformative power of tallow-based skincare. Aggie and Tami talk about the challenges of starting a brand rooted in unconventional ingredients, the science and history behind tallow, and how Tami’s commitment to education and sustainability has set her apart in the clean beauty industry. It’s a conversation about resilience, innovation, and redefining what truly works in skincare.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Opening with Tami's Powerful Message
00:01:23 - The Life-Altering Call: Eczema and Skin Cancer
00:02:56 - A Discovery That Changed Everything: Tallow
00:04:23 - First Creations: From Kitchen to Product
00:07:25 - The Leap into Business: First Challenges
00:12:45 - Finding the Perfect Formula: Crafting the Lotion Stick
00:19:02 - Cracking Wholesale: Stories from the Frontlines
00:25:35 - Marketing Wins: Strategies that Worked
00:27:32 - Scaling Smart: Breaking Through Barriers
00:29:11 - The Power of People: Team Stories
00:30:38 - From Solo Hustler to Team Leader
00:33:11 - Six-Figure Secrets: The Top Strategies
00:35:33 - Doubling Down on Wholesale: A Focused Shift
00:37:58 - Customers Who Inspire: Memorable Moments
00:41:07 - Zero Balance, Full Heart: Facing Financial Struggles
00:44:29 - Family First: Balancing Life and Business
00:48:16 - Looking Ahead: Vision and Advice for Founders
00:51:31 - Closing Reflections: Tami's Final Words

Links and Resources

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
AB CREATIVE BLACK FRIDAY SALE
Black Friday 2024
Tami on LinkedIn
Taddo’s Tallow

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

6 Game-Changing Shifts Every Beauty Founder Needs to Unlock Their Brand's X-Factor with Vida Delrahim and Ronit Menashe

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie sits down with Vida Delrahim and Ronit Menashe, the founders of WeNatal, to discuss how their experiences with loss led to an innovation in the prenatal supplement space. They share the shocking truth about male fertility’s overlooked role in conception and miscarriage and how their brand aims to redefine prenatal health for both partners. Vida and Ronit discuss their research journey, the creation of the first his-and-hers prenatal system, and the cultural shifts they hope to inspire. Tune in to learn how a blend of science, entrepreneurship, and mission-driven innovation could completely change the way we think about fertility wellness.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Why You Must Advocate for Yourself
00:00:56 - Meet the Visionaries Behind WeNatal
00:01:52 - The Personal Loss That Sparked Innovation
00:03:51 - The Untapped Potential of Men’s Health
00:04:53 - Reinventing Prenatal Supplements for Couples
00:06:29 - Lessons Learned From Starting WeNatal
00:07:11 - How Customers Are Shaping the Movement
00:11:19 - From Corporate Comfort to Startup Hustle
00:13:36 - Building a Culture-First Business
00:14:54 - The Hidden Power of Networking
00:22:09 - How WeNatal Grew Without Paid Ads
00:25:55 - Why a Strong Mission Beats Any Marketing Plan
00:29:38 - Competing in a Crowded Market
00:30:26 - Rethinking Prenatals for Him and Her
00:33:47 - What’s Really in Your Supplements?
00:35:43 - Behind the Scenes of Product Innovation
00:41:07 - A Glimpse Into WeNatal’s Future
00:47:17 - The Stories That Fuel WeNatal’s Growth
00:48:36 - Tips for Bootstrapped Entrepreneurs
00:49:55 - Closing Thoughts: Trusting the Journey

Links and Resources

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
AB CREATIVE BLACK FRIDAY SALE
Black Friday 2024
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
AB CREATIVE BLACK FRIDAY SALE
Black Friday 2024
Vida on LinkedIn
Ronit on LinkedIn
WeNatal

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Protect Your Brand Before You Lose It: Legal Must-Haves for Beauty Brands with Antonella Colella

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie sits down with beauty brand trademark attorney Antonella Colella to discuss the legal steps every beauty founder must take to protect and grow their brand. From forming business entities to understanding the ins and outs of trademarks, Antonella shares her experiences moving from corporate law into launching her own practice and explains why skipping legal foundations can cost founders big down the line. Tune in to learn common mistakes founders make and advice for safeguarding your brand’s future in a crowded industry.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Why Trademarking Early Matters (and Saves You Headaches)
00:01:15 - Meet Antonella Colella: A Beauty Attorney’s Journey
00:01:58 - The Leap from Corporate Law to Beauty Brands
00:04:53 - Foundational Legal Steps for Beauty Founders
00:09:07 - Avoid These Common Founder Legal Mistakes
00:15:08 - Why You Need a Trademark Attorney
00:22:48 - Expanding Globally: International Trademarking Essentials
00:24:28 - Manufacturer Agreements: What to Watch Out For
00:28:09 - Legal Myths That Could Hurt Your Brand
00:32:12 - Ready to Sell? Legal Prep for Big Opportunities
00:35:08 - Lessons from Celebrity Legal Battles
00:40:47 - How to Handle Trademark Bullies
00:43:08 - Practical Advice for Every Beauty Brand Founder

Links and Resources

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Antonella on LinkedIn
Colella Legal Studio

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Hard Lessons and Big Wins: The Path to a Lasting Brand

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0700

This episode is packed with highlights from previous episodes! Aggie brings together the best insights from previous episodes, offering beauty brand founders an unfiltered look into the strategies and mindsets driving the industry’s top brands. From finding your niche to building genuine customer loyalty, these highlights show the real work behind creating a brand that resonates and lasts. With takeaways on navigating retail, gathering meaningful customer feedback, and approaching marketing with integrity, these highlights distill the essentials every founder needs to build a bold and impactful beauty brand.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Highlights from the Best of Beauty and the Brand
00:02:35 - Ethical Marketing: How Indie Beauty Brands are Changing the Game with Michelle Carrington
00:12:47 - How to Create a Skincare Brand Rooted in Nature and Tradition with Melissa Fuller
00:21:26 - ARCONA® Skincare: How One Woman's Vision Transformed Celebrity Skincare with Chanel Jenae

Links and Resources

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Bootstrapped and Booming: How to Hit $1 Million in Sales with Alyssa Kotter

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie welcomes Alyssa “Lissy” Kotter, founder of Lissy Skincare, who took her struggle with acne and transformed it into a booming seven-figure business. Alyssa shares how she went from esthetician to brand owner, tackling personal setbacks, building a loyal audience, and navigating the demands of both motherhood and business ownership. She talks about the key ingredient that set her products apart, why she decided to start with just one product, and her unconventional path to rapid growth without the use of ads. Listen in as Alyssa and Aggie unpack the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the power of authentic connection, and the strategies behind Lissy Skincare’s viral success.

Chapters

00:00:00 The Humble Beginnings of a Big Dream
00:01:00 A Warm Welcome to Beauty and the Brand
00:01:07 Introducing Alyssa Kotter: A Visionary in Skincare
00:01:45 Surviving Setbacks and Finding Strength
00:03:50 From Concept to Creation: How Lissy Skincare Was Born
00:06:04 The Fungal Acne Solution No One Talks About
00:08:10 The Exciting Launch of Lissy’s First Product
00:10:28 Secrets to Building a Loyal Audience
00:12:26 A Unique Entrepreneurial Journey Unfolds
00:15:32 Scaling at Speed: The Journey to Rapid Growth
00:18:55 Crafting a Winning Marketing Strategy
00:23:58 Breaking Through: Scaling the Business
00:25:49 Leveraging Ads for Explosive Conversions
00:31:10 Managing Surging Demand: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
00:33:54 Navigating Motherhood While Running a Brand
00:36:38 Tackling the Imposter Syndrome Head-On
00:40:47 Reflections on Starting a Brand from Scratch
00:45:22 Becoming a Beacon for Aspiring Beauty Entrepreneurs
00:53:27 Growth Pains and Gains: Lessons Along the Way
00:59:46 Making Every Minute Count: The Value of Your Time
01:03:50 What’s Next for Lissy Skincare?

Links and Resources

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand (and Having Your Most Profitable Holiday Season Ever)
Alyssa on LinkedIn
Lissy Skincare
Lissy Skincare on Instagram
Lissy Skincare on TikTok

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

How Indie Brands Can Stand Out in Media with Aimee Majoros

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Aimee Majoros joins Aggie to share her journey from a surprise encounter in an elevator at Estee Lauder to launching her own PR firm focused on beauty and lifestyle brands. Known for her strategic insights, Aimee discusses why true PR success hinges on genuine relationships, attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate what editors really want. Throughout the conversation, she dives into the evolution of PR, challenges for indie brands, and the importance of knowing your customer beyond assumptions. Aimee’s tales of PR wins, challenges, and unexpected lessons make for an insightful look into what it truly takes for a brand to stand out in today’s media landscape.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Customer Deep Dive
00:01:16 – Kicking Off the Episode
00:01:57 – Aimee Majoros’ Unexpected PR Path
00:02:19 – The Estee Lauder Elevator Story
00:04:59 – Inside Corporate PR at Estee Lauder
00:09:06 – Launching Her Own Firm
00:11:13 – Corporate Lessons That Shaped Her
00:17:40 – The New Age of PR
00:22:09 – Predicting the Next Big Thing
00:32:10 – Indie Brands: What They Can Learn from Giants
00:34:04 – Low-Budget PR, Big Results
00:38:15 – PR Myths and Misconceptions
00:39:19 – Wild PR Success Stories
00:42:18 – Reaching Niche Audiences
00:52:10 – Staying on the Cutting Edge
00:58:20 – Celebrity PR Wins and Top Moments
01:03:46 – Wrapping It Up with Final Insights

Links and Resources:

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
Aimee is Beauty
Aimee on Facebook
Aimee on Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Mistakes That Kill Website Engagement and How to Fix Them Today with Michelle Carrington

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Michelle Carrington, a former makeup artist turned copywriting expert, discusses how copy can make or break a beauty brand’s success. Michelle and Aggie talk about common mistakes brands make, the ethical shift happening in marketing, and why indie beauty brands are leading the way. They explore how copywriting shapes customer experience, the importance of niche marketing, and debunk the myths about what it takes to stand out in today’s crowded market. Michelle shares advice on crafting messaging that sells without selling out.

Chapters

00:00:00 - A New Era of Consumer Power
00:01:05 - First Impressions Matter
00:01:11 - Michelle Carrington Enters the Scene
00:01:58 - The Creative Shift: Makeup to Messaging
00:06:35 - How Words Shape Experience
00:09:17 - Avoid These Costly Messaging Pitfalls
00:14:00 - Finding Your True Brand Voice
00:27:23 - Why Niche Marketing is Non-Negotiable
00:33:02 - Marketing with a Conscience
00:34:13 - Permission, Please: The Power of Consent
00:36:16 - Navigating Ethical Marketing
00:38:35 - Shifting the Focus to Positive Impact
00:41:10 - Indie Beauty Brands on the Rise
00:44:08 - Uncovering Copywriting Myths
00:49:20 - The Art of Attention-Grabbing Headlines
00:51:07 - What Big Brands Can Teach Us
00:54:54 - Bloom Beauty’s Transformation: A Case Study
00:59:42 - Copywriting that Drives Results
01:03:26 - Wrapping Up: Final Takeaways

Links and Resources

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Why Knowing Your Customer Can Save You Time, Money, and Stress with Nancy Rimbergas

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie sits down with Nancy Rimbergas, founder of Earth-Based Body, to uncover how a personal experience with skin health and a life-changing partnership led her to build a desert-inspired skincare line. From her hard left turn from the beverage industry to the art of balancing passion and business, Nancy shares the highs and hurdles of creating a brand rooted in Arizona's unique ingredients. She and Aggie discuss the power of trusting your gut, crafting authentic partnerships, and the behind-the-scenes lessons learned on packaging, product development, and why staying true to your story is key to long-term success. If you’re ready to learn how to stand out by standing firm in your values, this episode is for you!

Chapters:

00:00:00 The Illusion of Busyness
00:01:20 Meet Nancy Rimbergas of Earth Based Body
00:01:48 From Beverage to Beauty: A Skincare Transformation
00:03:08 Finding the Perfect Partner: Chemistry Meets Business
00:04:42 Structuring a Seamless 50/50 Partnership
00:10:22 Launching Earth Based Body: The First Steps
00:11:24 Packaging Lessons and Ingredient Challenges
00:16:14 Early Wins: Retail Success in Major Spas
00:20:33 The Power of Press: How Media Transformed Our Reach
00:30:58 Amplifying Content: Blog Posts, Social Media, and Beyond
00:35:33 Marketing Strategies that Move the Needle
00:38:51 Event Planning: Creating Memorable, Impactful Experiences
00:42:11 Building Meaningful Relationships and Networking
00:49:10 Overcoming Burnout and Balancing the Grind
00:50:40 Data-Driven Decision Making for Long-Term Success
00:57:03 Future Plans: Growing Community and Connection
01:00:58 Conclusion and How to Reach Earth Based Body

Links and Resources:

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

How to Create a Skincare Brand Rooted in Nature and Tradition with Melissa Fuller

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Melissa Fuller, founder of Gatherwise Skincare, shares how her personal battle with autoimmune issues and frustration with traditional skincare led her to create a plant-based skincare brand. She opens up about the early days, mixing herbal remedies in her kitchen, and how a passion for holistic healing grew into a thriving business. Melissa explains the deep connection between plants and skincare, discussing the importance of knowing exactly what goes into her products, from seed to bottle. This episode is a raw look at how personal struggles can fuel innovation and why trusting nature can be the key to lasting relief.

Chapters:

00:00:00 – The Link Between Seasons and Your Skin
00:01:17 – Meet Melissa Fuller, Founder of Gatherwise
00:01:38 – Battling Autoimmune Issues with Skincare
00:02:39 – The Birth of Gatherwise: A Personal Journey
00:03:47 – From Homemade Remedies to Professional Skincare
00:05:13 – Diving Deep into Herbalism
00:07:03 – How Melissa Built the Gatherwise Brand
00:09:52 – Starting Small: Handwritten Labels and Farmers Markets
00:11:09 – From Farmers Markets to Online Success
00:12:41 – Why Plant-Based Ingredients Matter
00:18:33 – Overcoming Challenges and Rebranding
00:19:49 – Key Ingredients Behind Gatherwise Products
00:23:31 – Scaling the Business After COVID
00:25:35 – Building a Loyal Community
00:29:10 – Crafting Seasonal Skincare Bundles
00:31:24 – Founder Challenges and How to Overcome Them
00:34:57 – Personal and Professional Growth as a Founder
00:39:52 – Upcoming Gatherwise Workshops and Classes
00:42:30 – Melissa’s Own Skincare Routine
00:44:01 – Advice for Aspiring Skincare Founders
00:45:55 – Where to Find Gatherwise Products
00:47:18 – Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Farewell

Links and Resources:

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Why Retailers Aren’t Enough: The Secrets to Driving Your Own Demand with Bettina O'Neill

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Bettina O'Neill, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Scentbird, shares how she got into the fragrance industry, from her early days at Barneys to helping niche brands thrive. Bettina explains how up and coming fragrance brands can stand out in a crowded market, the importance of staying true to a brand’s identity, and the role of sampling in growing a loyal customer base. She also gives practical advice for founders on scaling their brands and navigating the complexities of retail partnerships.

Chapters

00:00:00 - How to Choose the Right Retail Partner for Your Brand’s Success
00:01:00 - Meet Bettina O'Neill: From Barneys to Scentbird
00:02:05 - Bettina’s Journey Through the World of Fragrance
00:04:17 - The Secret to Building a Niche Fragrance Market
00:05:54 - Standing Out in a Saturated Fragrance Market
00:07:45 - How Scentbird Scaled to 700,000 Subscribers
00:09:28 - Brand Growth: The Big Challenges and Key Strategies
00:13:39 - Why Sticking to Your Brand’s DNA is Non-Negotiable
00:15:59 - Leveraging Social Media and Sampling for Explosive Growth
00:22:34 - How to Find Funding and Support for Niche Brands
00:25:16 - What’s Hot Right Now: Fragrance Trends and Innovations
00:26:13 - Neuroscience and Scent: How Fragrance Affects Mood
00:27:24 - Launching a New Fragrance Brand in Today’s Market
00:28:07 - Beyond Candles: Innovations in Home and Car Fragrances
00:29:59 - Marketing Strategies That Drive Results for Fragrance Brands
00:32:36 - Why Subscription Models and Discovery Kits Are Thriving
00:33:35 - Sustainability and Clean Fragrances: The Next Big Thing?
00:35:54 - Bettina’s Signature Scents and Personal Favorites
00:37:28 - Advice for Aspiring Fragrance Founders
00:40:59 - Fragrance’s Emotional Power: Why We Wear What We Wear
00:41:24 - How COVID-19 Shifted Fragrance Trends
00:43:16 - Pop-Ups and Signature Scents: What’s Coming Next?
00:46:26 - Final Thoughts and What’s Next for the Fragrance Industry

Links and Resources

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Why Community-Building Before Launch Sets Brands Apart with Jana Shemano

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Jana Shemano from August shares how the company is working to remove the shame around periods and change how society talks about menstrual care. From launching during the pandemic to building a community first approach, August has grown into a brand known for pushing boundaries, like being the first to show real period blood in their marketing. Jana also goes into the challenges of fundraising, breaking through social media bans, and balancing sustainability with profitability. Whether it’s grassroots efforts or partnerships with major brands, August is on a mission to make periods a normal part of everyday life.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Breaking Period Stigma: The August Mission
00:01:00 - Meet Jana Shemano: From Thrive Global to August
00:02:34 - Pandemic Beginnings: The Birth of August
00:07:23 - Community First: Building an Engaged Audience Before Launch
00:10:54 - Innovation in Period Care: Breaking the Blue Dye Tradition
00:16:23 - Funding a Mission: Navigating Angel Investments and Grants
00:22:58 - Partnerships That Matter: Expanding Awareness with WeWork and Target
00:32:52 - Post-COVID Marketing: Navigating New Landscapes
00:33:53 - Sports and Periods: Partnering with USA Track and Field
00:34:14 - Athletes on Periods: Real Talk About Competing During Menstruation
00:37:08 - Grassroots Efforts: Scrappy Marketing at Target and Beyond
00:41:21 - Sustainability at the Core: Compostable Products and More
00:43:21 - Profit vs. Impact: Balancing Growth with a Bigger Purpose
00:46:50 - Making Waves: Growing August’s Brand Awareness
00:54:15 - Advocacy in Action: Empowering Students to Champion Period Products
01:00:14 - Looking Ahead: August’s Vision for the Future

Links and Resources:

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

How to Win Customers With Meaningful Impact Over Marketing Gimmicks with Maria Wodzinska

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Maria Wodzinska, co-founder of Stoic Beauty, shares how she went from theater to skincare which led her to create a brand with her mother, Dr. Jolanta Wodzinska Ph.D., focused on protecting water resources. She explains the hidden problem of pollution in the beauty industry, how most consumers aren't aware of the impact their skincare has on waterways, and why Stoic Beauty is committed to making a difference. Maria also talks about the challenges of building a mission-driven business, leveraging risk, and the importance of staying true to a bigger vision while navigating the pressures of growth.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Why Going It Alone Is a Bad Idea
00:01:26 – Meet Maria Wodzinska and Stoic Beauty
00:02:34 – From Garage Sales to CEO: Maria’s Entrepreneurial Roots
00:06:29 – How Theater Skills Shaped a Beauty Brand
00:10:58 – The Hard Lessons of Building Stoic Beauty
00:14:10 – The Untold Story of Water-Safe Skincare
00:19:50 – Overcoming Setbacks with Strategic Risk-Taking
00:25:21 – Building a Business with Purpose, Not Just Profit
00:34:50 – Unlocking Somatic Awareness for Better Leadership
00:35:07 – How Somatic Practices Transform Business
00:36:20 – The Power of Voice and Breath in Leadership
00:37:34 – Leading with Vulnerability: Why It’s a Game-Changer
00:39:26 – How to Build a Team That Thrives
00:41:59 – The Challenges of Hiring the Right People
00:44:27 – How to Spot and Cultivate Talent in Your Team
00:46:24 – Taking Big Risks: What Every Founder Needs to Know
00:55:51 – Winning Awards and Owning Your Success
01:01:05 – Stoic Beauty’s Vision for the Future
01:03:36 – Maria’s Advice to Fellow Founders
01:05:37 – Final Thoughts and Where to Find Stoic Beauty=

Links and Resources

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Maximize Your Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sales Without Spending a Dime on Ads!

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie is letting you in on some powerful organic marketing strategies designed to supercharge your Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales! She’s breaking down the tactics, from creating engaging pre-launch content to crafting irresistible holiday offers. Aggie is advocating for a focus on repeat customers rather than chasing new ones during the holiday rush. She also talks about the importance of testing and tweaking your strategy on the fly to ensure success, and gives advice on maximizing holiday revenue without relying on paid ads!

Chapters

00:00:00 - Shocking Stats: Why Most Product Demos Fail
00:01:00 - Welcome to Beauty and the Brand
00:02:00 - The Secret to Prepping Your Audience Before Black Friday
00:03:12 - Proven Tactics to Build Your Email List Pre-Holiday
00:04:21 - Pre-Launch Content That Boosts Sales
00:05:04 - Product Highlights: How to Show What Really Matters
00:06:26 - Gift Guides: Targeting the Right Customers with Ease
00:08:55 - Why Your Brand Needs More Video Content—Now
00:12:30 - Holiday Offers That Sell: Crafting the Perfect Deal
00:16:17 - Email Marketing Done Right: How to Keep Your Audience Hooked
00:20:06 - Advanced Strategies You Should Be Using This Season
00:26:06 - Wrapping Up: Best Wishes for Your Holiday Success

Links and Resources:

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Stop Chasing Trends: How to Build Products Customers Actually Need with Chanel Jenae

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Chanel Jenae, the visionary behind the skincare brand ARCONA® Skincare, shares her journey from being an esthetician trained in Paris to leading a brand beloved by celebrities and featured in top publications. Chanel opens up about the challenges and triumphs of building ARCONA®, emphasizing the importance of staying true to your brand's core values rather than chasing trends. She reflects on the power of mentorship, the significance of customer feedback, and the lessons learned from years of navigating the competitive beauty industry. This conversation offers a candid look at the realities of running a successful skincare brand while highlighting the personal philosophies that have guided Chanel's path to success.

Chapters

00:00:00 - The Call That Sparked a Dream: Mentorship Moments
00:01:00 - Meet Chanel Jenae: A Journey into the Beauty Industry
00:01:39 - From Glamour to Grit: Chanel's Background and Entrepreneurial Drive
00:03:44 - Crafting a Vision: The Birth of ARCONA®
00:06:56 - Redefining Beauty: Signature Facial Contouring Unveiled
00:07:59 - Behind the Formulas: Product Development Insights
00:10:24 - The Hustle and the Wins: Challenges and Successes on the Road to Growth
00:16:42 - From Solo to Squad: Building a Team That Thrives
00:20:16 - Listen to Your Market: Customer Feedback Shaping Product Evolution
00:27:43 - Cracking the Code: Breaking into Major Retail
00:28:54 - Hands-On Experience: The Assistant's Take on Product Quality
00:29:36 - The Retail Game: Nordstrom Partnership Journey
00:31:35 - Networking that Pays: Building Relationships and Sales Strategies
00:36:53 - Luxury Meets Wellness: Expanding into Spa Doors
00:40:15 - Mind Over Matter: Mindset and Self-Care for Business Success
00:48:04 - Wisdom for the Bold: Essential Advice for Aspiring Beauty Entrepreneurs
00:51:38 - Onward and Upward: The Future of ARCONA®
00:53:56 - Signing Off: Conclusion and Farewell

Links and Resources

5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
Aggie on LinkedIn
AB Creative
Aggie on Instagram
5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand (and Having Your Most Profitable Holiday Season Ever)
Chanel on Instagram
ARCONA® Skincare
ARCONA® Skincare on Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Behind the Glamour: The Grit and Grind of Launching a Beauty Brand

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Aggie shares her journey from working at a high-profile fashion magazine to building her own beauty brand from scratch. She walks you through some of the challenges of entering the beauty industry, the importance of positioning a brand effectively, and the power of persistence in overcoming obstacles. You’re going behind the scenes to hear what it really takes to get a product on the shelves of a major retailer like Sephora with insights that go beyond the typical success story!

Chapters

00:00:00 - The Relentless Pursuit: The Power of Persistence in Beauty Entrepreneurship
00:01:11 - From Editorial to Entrepreneur: My Journey from Glamour Magazine to Beauty Brand
00:02:25 - Creating the Dream: The Birth of a Fragrance Brand in a Tiny NYC Kitchen
00:03:12 - Aiming High: Chasing the Sephora Dream and the Lessons Learned
00:03:55 - Navigating Rejection and Celebrating Wins: Overcoming Challenges on the Path to Success
00:06:02 - Crafting a Digital Empire: Building a DTC Strategy That Works
00:10:46 - Finding Your Tribe: The Critical Importance of Brand Positioning
00:19:07 - Lesson 1: Relentless Follow-Up—How to Get to Yes with Big Retailers
00:22:29 - Lesson 2: The Power of Collaborations—Growing Your Brand with Strategic Partnerships
00:26:17 - Lesson 3: Make It Work—Turning Obstacles into Opportunities
00:28:31 - Lesson 4: Squeeze the Juice—Maximizing Every Opportunity for Your Brand
00:30:00 - Lesson 5: Leveraging Every Experience—How to Make the Most Out of Every Project
00:31:29 - Wrapping Up: Key Takeaways for Building a Resilient and Successful Beauty Brand

Links and Resources

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Step into the World of Beauty and the Brand

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Welcome to "Beauty and the Brand," the ultimate podcast for beauty, health, and wellness entrepreneurs! Hosted by Aggie Burnett, a beauty industry expert and award-winning founder, this podcast pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to launch, grow, and scale a successful beauty brand. With insider interviews, actionable strategies, and real-world advice, Aggie shares the highs and lows of building her own brand from scratch, offering listeners the inspiration and guidance they need to navigate their own entrepreneurial journey. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, "Beauty and the Brand" is your go-to resource for turning dreams into reality. Tune in, get inspired, and start building your beauty empire today!