I can hardly contain my excitement. My team and I, along with 21+ experts in business have been working very hard behind the scenes to bring you something revolutionary in the product business. Have you had dreams, goals, and aspirations of putting your own line together but just not sure where to start? What if you could have a one-on-one conversation with some of the most amazing experts in the industry? Business owners that have been on Shark Tank, people that can call ANY buyer at ... Read More
Yeah, But Who Owns The Formula?
This week I had a question from a reader and it goes: Hi Melody, I spent 3 years developing a formula with an ingredient list that I love. Researched all the ingredients down to the last benefit of each ingredient. I took it to a lab, they made samples, we went to market and three years later I wanted to switch labs only to find out out that they said they owned the formula and wanted ME to pay them 5K. I was shocked! The formula was all my idea and I assumed I owned the formula, ... Read More
Private Label Responsibilites
Today I had a question on the FB page asking me how to go about getting private label insurance for their line. I am not an expert nor do I pretend to be. However, I do work with someone that provides insurance to her members and other start up businesses. That I will share with you in a moment. First, I strongly recommend that you have a minimum $2 million policy to protect yourself, your customers and it's generally required to sell in retail spaces. Some distributors require $5 or $10 ... Read More
3 Elements of a Successful Skin Care Launch
Building a successful skin care line that will be here for a long time has several elements to them. The first is not the product. That's right, it's not the product. Yes, a high quality product is awesome and necessary but the first element of a successful skin care line as everything to do with the solution you offer to your customer. Element #1 - People buy because of need People buy lotion because they have dry skin. Gentle hair care shampoos because they just colored their ... Read More
Is Innovation Necessary in Skin Care, Make Up and Hair Care Brands?
Is innovation necessary in skin care, make up and hair care brands? The obvious answers is yes! Why is it obvious? Because if innovation and something "new" wasn't necessary than big brands such as L'Oreal, Revlon, and Clinique wouldn't consistently be bringing out new lines each season. They wouldn't spend the money on new packaging, new actives and new spokes people if consumer's didn't demand innovation. But this begs the question, do we demand innovation? Or do we just need something ... Read More
The Difference Between Contract Manufacturing and Private Label Skin Care
Lately, I have had lots of people asking me the difference between contract manufacturing and private label. So I thought I would write a quick post about the difference. If it's your intention to start your own skincare line then this is some crucial information to help you on your path: Private Label Explained: Private label is the process of taking a manufacturer's already tested formula's and adding your name and logo to it. Generally the manufacturer does not allow any ... Read More
Refining Your Brand: The Secrets To More Sales
How are sales going? Are they sluggish? Slow? Does one product seem to soar while the other lag behind? Have you ever stopped long enough to wonder why? I'll tell you why. Your brand's growth ALWAYS depends on a few things: 1. Clarity Close your eyes and imagine that this is the first time that you are seeing your brand. Whether it's a beautiful lotion, or skin care line or an amazing mineral make up line. Imagine that you are walking past the product and you are seeing it for the ... Read More
4 Surprising Things I Learned Pitching To a Big Time Buyer
Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet with a buyer at QVC. I have been working with them for over 7 years and had a chance to meet with them to discuss a new project that I have been working on with a client for the past 6 months. This has been a collaboration between three parties and it required a tremendous amount of effort and negotiation. When all was said and done and the appointment secured we were thrilled. That’s the easy part. Lesson 1: Prepare for ALL things to go wrong, ... Read More
Is Vitamin D Is The Latest Fad?
There is a recent article on Yahoo, Vitamin D: Skincare's Next "It" Ingredient? It was a great article explaining the benefits of Vitamin D in general such as better looking skin, antioxidant, and really a necessary vitamin for humans. The article made the case that while many people take Vitamin D supplements, perhaps the next frontier is skin care. Does adding Vitamin D to topical formulas really work?To date, there are no clinical studies done but I think that we will be seeing some ... Read More
Why Building Your Beauty Business From The Heart Is Critical
Building a beauty business from the heart: why it’s critical to the health of your business I talk to business owners all day long, it’s my business. And from the moment I hear in their voice the joy and excitement surrounding their 'why' in building their business, I can usually predict with about 95% accuracy who will be successful and who will not. The ones that are successful are in the business because it’s in their heart. How I define success and how you define success may be ... Read More