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

• Bettina on LinkedIn
• Scentbird
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram
• 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand (and Having Your Most Profitable Holiday Season Ever)

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!

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:

• Jana on LinkedIn
• August
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram
• 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand (and Having Your Most Profitable Holiday Season Ever)

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!

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

• Maria on LinkedIn
• Stoic Beauty
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram
• 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand (and Having Your Most Profitable Holiday Season Ever)

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!

In this episode, 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:

• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram
• 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand (and Having Your Most Profitable Holiday Season Ever)

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!

In this episode, 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

• Chanel on Instagram
• ARCONA® Skincare
• ARCONA® Skincare on Instagram
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram
• 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand (and Having Your Most Profitable Holiday Season Ever)

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!

In this episode, 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

• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram
• 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand (and Having Your Most Profitable Holiday Season Ever)

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!

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!