This article has been contributed by Ms. Shaily Mehrotra, Co-founder, Fixderma.
In today’s skincare market, where new products seem to come out every day, women entrepreneurs face both opportunities and challenges. Creating skincare products and building a brand that stands out while ensuring compliance with regulations can be a daunting task. However, with the right strategies, female entrepreneurs can ensure success and sustainability in this competitive industry.
The skincare industry is vast, catering to a wide range of needs and preferences. From moisturizers to serums to cleansers, there’s no shortage of products available to consumers. As a woman entrepreneur entering this space, it’s important to understand your target audience and their specific skincare concerns. Conducting market research can help identify gaps in the market and opportunities for innovation.
To truly differentiate their skincare products and brands, women entrepreneurs can implement the below-mentioned strategies:
Creating skincare products with unique formulations can be a game-changer. Whether it’s through innovative ingredients, advanced technology, or novel delivery systems, offering something that others don’t have can pique the interest of consumers. People like trying things that are different and effective. For example, using rare plants that are good for the skin or using the newest research to make your own special mixtures can make your brand different from others in the market and attract loyal customers who want something special for their skin.
Targeted Solutions
Knowing what different people need for their skin and customizing products to help with those exact needs can really help. How? By making products that focus on a certain group or solve specific skin issues, like acne, wrinkles, or sensitive skin. By positioning their brands as experts in addressing these issues, they can attract a dedicated customer base seeking targeted solutions. This approach not only meets customer needs more effectively but also builds trust and loyalty, setting the stage for long-term success in the skincare market.
Creating a strong brand story that aligns with value and resonates with consumers can forge a deep connection and loyalty. Women entrepreneurs can use their personal narratives, experiences, or missions to create authentic and relatable brand identities. This authenticity helps differentiate their brands in the marketplace and encourages consumer loyalty.
Focus on Customer Experience
Entrepreneurs should prioritize the customer experience at every touchpoint, from browsing your website to using your products and beyond. Engage with your customers, listen to their feedback, and go above and beyond to exceed their expectations. When customers have a good experience, they’re more likely to stick with your brand and tell others about it. And in today’s world where everything is online, good word-of-mouth from happy customers is really valuable. So, paying attention to your customers and making sure they’re happy can go a long way in helping your business grow.
Skincare products are subject to strict regulations to ensure consumer safety. One of the fundamental aspects of regulatory compliance revolves around ingredient safety and transparency.
Ingredient Safety
Before bringing a skincare product to market, entrepreneurs must carefully evaluate each ingredient’s safety profile and ensure compliance with ingredient labeling requirements. This includes providing accurate ingredient lists on product packaging, avoiding prohibited substances, and adhering to concentration limits for certain ingredients to prevent adverse reactions and protect consumer health.
Manufacturing Practices
Entrepreneurs must establish and adhere to stringent quality control measures to ensure the safety and purity of their skincare formulations. This involves implementing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), maintaining clean and sanitized production facilities, and conducting rigorous testing to detect and mitigate potential contaminants or impurities.
Labeling and Marketing
Product labels must accurately convey information such as ingredient lists, usage instructions, and warnings to enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. Moreover, entrepreneurs must refrain from making misleading claims or exaggerating the efficacy of their products, as regulatory agencies closely monitor and enforce advertising standards to prevent deceptive marketing practices.
In the end, succeeding in the competitive skincare market requires a combination of creativity, quality, authenticity, and agility. Creating unique products, ensuring they work well, and being genuine in your brand are all crucial. Plus, being able to change and adjust to what customers want is key to staying ahead.
StartupTalky presents Recap’23, a series of in-depth interviews where we engage with founders and industry leaders to explore their growth in 2023 and their predictions for the future.
Beautywise® is a new-age, aspirational, and innovative brand, known for its range of premium supplements catering to a sophisticated clientele that prioritizes beauty and self-care backed by science.
The Beauty & Personal Care market in India is projected to generate a revenue of US$31.51bn in 2024. This market is expected to witness an annual growth rate of 3.00% (CAGR 2024-2028).
In a recent Recap’23 interview, we at StartupTalky had the privilege of connecting with Shreyansha Chauhan and Anousha Chauhan, Founders of Beautywise. We examined how Beautywise is making a mark for itself within the Beauty industry, analyzing its strategies, unique positioning and future plans.
StartupTalky: What products does Beautywise sell? What was the motivation/vision with which you started?
Shreyansh: We specialise in advanced dermatology-led supplements, specifically designed to address targeted skin and hair concerns that Anousha, our founder faced firsthand in her decade-long modeling career.
Our growing product portfolio currently comprises Skin Brilliance 500mg Glutathione in EPO which is developed with antioxidants, vitamins, amino acids, and active extracts in a nourishing oil, this formulation is designed to impart radiant and uniformly toned skin, Skin Resilience Ceramides & HA in Omega-3, a powerhouse supplement that combines the natural lipids of ceramides with the hydrating prowess of Hyaluronic acid and Hair Rescue Keratin & Biotin in Avocado Oil, a transformative supplement that combines the strengthening effects of Keratin and Biotin with the nourishing properties of Avocado Oil. We also specialize in marine and plant-based collagen, in multiple options.
Our vision on pioneering dermatology-driven solutions for tailored skincare and haircare needs. We aim to offer efficient solutions that work from the inside out to offer the best in beauty and wellness.
StartupTalky: What other Beautywise products/features have been added in the past year? What is/are the USP/s of Beautywise?
Anousha: The past year has been focused on improving product formulations, as well as working on a stronger retail footprint overall for the brand. In terms of additions of features, we have launched dual-action technology capsules that combine oil and water-soluble ingredients for enhanced absorption of our formulations. The USP of our products lies in the efficacy of the formulations and in addressing specific skin and hair care concerns. Notable USPs of our products are the clinically researched clean ingredients, as well as the ‘proven efficacy V-FillTM technology’. This has led to our products being prescribed by over 500 dermatologists and skincare experts.
StartupTalky: How has the beauty industry changed in recent years, and how has Beautywise adapted to these changes?
Shreyansh: The beauty industry overall has witnessed great technological advancement over the past few years. There is a nutraceutical boom in India driven by higher consumption post-COVID as well as better market access driven by e-commerce. This has led to a large number of companies entering the supplement space. Unfortunately, the issues of low bioavailability, inaccurate dosage, and greenwashing which unfortunately has not been addressed by the industry. We are driven by innovation and clinical literature backing our formulations to provide targeted beauty supplements. To date, the regulations for supplementation were at a very nascent stage, leading to a loss of credibility for the industry. However, the government has started focusing on nutraceuticals and we accept and welcome stricter approaches towards claims and quality.
StartupTalky: Can you share examples of how staying ahead of industry trends has influenced your product offerings or marketing strategies?
Anousha: One of the most critical ways we have stayed ahead of the industry trend is an uncompromising approach to our product portfolio. We have integrated dermatologists and specialists at every stage of our research and development. This comprehensive approach ensures our supplements effectively address specific concerns like pigmentation, premature aging, sun damage, and skin saginess. Our commitment to developing clinically backed products with top-grade ingredients has garnered trust across the industry. We proudly hold exclusive partnerships with some of India’s largest aesthetic skin clinics and well-established pharmacies pan India.
StartupTalky: What key metrics do you track to check the growth and performance of Beautywise?
Shreyansh: Apart from standard sales and e-commerce metrics, we focus on the Customer Lifecycle Value and Net Promoter Score of dermatologists, reflecting their likelihood to recommend Beautywise. We have a remarkable 80%+ NPS.
StartupTalky: What were the most significant challenges Beautywise faced in the past year and how did you overcome them?
Anousha: The industry has intense competition with multiple players. Also, our reliance on a few select retail partners added pressure to our margins. We mitigated this by bolstering our e-commerce presence, contributing 30% of revenue in just one year while maintaining strong retail relationships. This omni-channel approach has benefitted the brand immensely.
StartupTalky: Repeat purchase is one of the most important parameters on which most eCommerce brands are betting. How do you keep your customers engaged to stop churn?
Shreyansh: We believe repeat purchases are primarily driven by the overall experience and benefits a consumer derives from the product. By focusing on the highest efficacy and potency in our capsules, and the overall experience of taste, smell, and dissolvability in our powders we can provide an unparalleled experience. We do have subscription discounts, 2nd-time purchase coupons, and other initiatives, but the product efficacy is what drives repeat purchases which are 30% +.
StartupTalky: What are the different strategies you use for marketing? Tell us about any growth hack that you pulled off.
Anousha: Effective marketing is fuelled by a pull approach, emphasizing the importance of cultivating enduring customer relationships. We don’t believe in hacks; instead, we prioritize delivering on promises for sustained organic growth. Delivering on the claims goes a long way to ensure organic, word-of-mouth growth. Our GTM of being retail and dermatology clinics first has also helped us massively in developing trust and credibility with our consumers.
StartupTalky: What are the important tools and software you use to run Beautywise smoothly?
Shreyansh: We have been utilizing tools to streamline processes, we have been able to use Businessonbot to ensure smooth customer communication, accelerating retention while Unicommerce to aid inventory management, addressing aging inventory, and enhancing operational efficiency.
StartupTalky: What opportunities do you see for future growth in the beauty industry in India and the world?
Anousha: India is already the pharmaceutical factory of the world, and the abundance and diversity of plants and active ingredients also play an important role in sourcing quality ingredients. We foresee India replicating what we did in pharmaceuticals in nutraceuticals as well if we as a nation focus on quality and compliance.
Different states have different mindsets and climatic conditions. There is also a cultural aspect of the food consumed. All these play an important role. Eg. sunny states require more protection against sun damage and Skin Brilliance is a best seller. In metros with heavy environmental pollution Skin Resilience which protects the outer skin barrier becomes an exceptional supplement. Fish has high acceptability in East India where we see disproportionate sales of marine collagen, while in Northern states vegan collagen builder sells more.
Given the multiple environmental stressors as well as an increased interest in beauty overall in the consumer mindset, we believe that the nutraceutical industry has high growth potential.
StartupTalky: What lessons did your team learn in the past year and how will these inform your future plans and strategies?
Shreyansh: “Continuous learning shapes our strategy. Recognizing that every stakeholder consumers employees, resellers and the company should derive value. we aim for sustainable growth, avoiding a zero-sum game mentality”. The consumer and industry response has given us greater confidence in the market and we intend to be more aggressive with our retail and marketing performance.
StartupTalky: How do you plan to expand the Customers, SKUs, and team base in the future?
Anousha: We see a huge gap in supplements that can be trusted by skin care professionals such as dermatologists, nutritionists, and beauticians. We have formulated products with their inputs and will continue to have a roadmap of products following the same process. Our product portfolio has been built on consistent and genuine consumer feedback. We intend to create a loyal and credible consumer base of Beautywise customers.
StartupTalky: With so much hype around D2C brands spending on ads, what will be your growth strategy organic or inorganic? How do you plan to work around SEO and content marketing?
Shreyansh: We believe in building good products, which will be accepted on their merit. Word of mouth and peer-to-peer recommendation are the best form of marketing. We have maintained a 2X ROAS on Amazon and other platforms, and even Google ads have a positive ROI. D2C brands need to set aside some amount of funds to generate awareness but conversions are an outcome of having differentiated, credible products in our portfolio.
StartupTalky: One tip that you would like to share with another D2C founder, based on your own experience?
Anousha and Shreyansh: Function with conviction, focus on the long term and build a company designed to outlast its founders—an invaluable tip for fellow D2C founders.
StartupTalky extends its gratitude to Mr.Shreyansha Chauhan and Ms. Anousha Chauhanfor dedicating their valuable time and generously sharing their insights with all of us.
This article has been contributed by Aman Mohunta, Co-Founder, Aminu Wellness.
Sustainability has become a crucial factor for the long-term survival and value creation of any brand, regardless of trends or profitability. Sustainability has emerged as a pivotal factor in influencing the long-term survival and value creation of brands. Today, not only is it strategically imperative but also commercially viable. In my opinion, two major factors have made sustainability a crucial business strategy – the increasing level of consumer consciousness and the constantly developing regulatory shifts.
Here are the reasons leading to the rise of conscious consumers:
Increasing Consumer Consciousness
Modern consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their lifestyle choices, and this consciousness extends to their consumption behaviour including beauty and skincare routines. The demand for transparency in product sourcing and manufacturing processes has led consumers to scrutinize labels and opt for brands that share their commitment to sustainability. As a living example, we have seen that brand values & practice of sustainability foster loyalty and trust among consumers, leading to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth marketing. Brands like Aminu have managed to differentiate themselves in this saturated industry with eco-friendly packaging, cruelty-free practices, and responsibly sourced ingredients.
Premium for Commitment to Stability
In a market saturated with skincare options, establishing a brand as a champion of sustainability has proven to be a powerful differentiator for brands like Aminu. Sustainable skincare products, characterized by eco-friendly packaging, cruelty-free practices, no use of micro-plastics and responsibly sourced ingredients, are gaining traction even in p markets such as India. Consumers today understand the importance of adopting more sustainable consumption choices and are increasingly willing to pay a premium for products that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. This willingness signifies a tangible manifestation of this endorsement.
Loyalty and Positive Word of Mouth
Investing in eco-friendly practices can position a skincare brand as a conscientious choice, attracting consumers who prioritize ethical considerations in their purchasing decisions. What was once considered a niche market has soon become a thriving segment and businesses including Aminu skincare are finding that sustainability in skincare not only helps build a stronger relationship with the consumers and benefits the planet but also contributes to their bottom line. Investing in eco-friendly practices attracts consumers who prioritize ethical considerations in their purchases.
Consumer Education
This rise of consumer consciousness is intrinsically linked to increased education on environmental issues. If not learnt in school, consumer consciousness is built as and when people become more independent and start purchasing their products. As consumers become more informed about the consequences of their choices, they actively seek out brands that align with their values. Brands that invest in this consumer education as well as practicing what they preach, not only contribute to a more informed audience and potential customer base but also position themselves as frontrunners in the dynamic future of sustainability. Engaging with consumers on matters of sustainable improvement is integral, and incorporating their feedback is crucial. Open communication channels between a brand and its audience can build a sense of community as well as give the brand valuable insights for future sustainability strategies.
As global awareness of environmental issues grows, governments and regulatory bodies especially in North America & Europe are tightening standards and implementing stricter regulations. Skincare brands that proactively adopt sustainable practices position themselves for compliance with near-future regulations. This proactive approach not only mitigates the risk of becoming obsolete in these markets but also signals to consumers that the brand is committed to responsible and ethical business practices. While one might argue that such regulations are still decades away in India, I would disagree. Today India seeks a seat at the table of global superpowers and to do that it will have to show leadership in several spheres including leading the way in adopting sustainable practices sooner rather than later.
Leadership in Sustainable Practices
Future-proofing the business by embracing sustainability is not just about compliance; it’s about staying ahead of the curve. Brands that invest in sustainable practices today are better equipped to navigate future changes in regulations and consumer expectations, ensuring long-term viability in an evolving market.
Supply Chain Sustainability
Beyond end-product sustainability, every step of the production process should also reflect that same eco-friendly attitude. The sustainability of the entire supply chain is gaining prominence, with brands realising the importance of every step from production to distribution should adhere to sustainable practices. Not only would this ideally align with regulatory expectations but also serve as a comprehensive approach to sustainability.
Technological Innovations
While sustainable practices are constantly evolving, a lot of it is driven by technological advancements. Brands that invest in research and development to incorporate cutting-edge technologies and ingredients into their products and processes not only future-proof their operations but also contribute to overall sustainability in the industry. For example, curbing water & energy usage & wastage during the production process and the use of biodegradable or reusable materials in packaging reduces the carbon footprint of the company and of the industry as a whole if these methods are adopted by all.
Revenue of the Skin Care Market Worldwide From 2015 to 2028
Conclusion: A Sustainable Future for Skincare
In conclusion, the intersection of sustainability and skincare is proving to be a profitable venture for businesses willing to embrace responsible practices. From meeting consumer demand and building a positive brand reputation to market differentiation and cost efficiency, the benefits of sustainability in the skincare industry are multifaceted.
As the beauty and skincare landscape continues to evolve, brands that prioritize sustainability position themselves not only as contributors to a healthier planet but also as leaders in an industry undergoing a transformative shift and becoming future-proof. The profitable pursuit of sustainability in skincare is not just a trend; it’s a strategic choice that can lead to long-term success in an environmentally aware market.
Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been approved by The Beauty Sailor.
In recent years, people have developed a greater understanding of their skincare regimens. This has led to tremendous growth in the skincare industry. Many factors, like technological advancements and changing attitudes toward beauty standards, are contributing to the growth of this industry.
With the increase in demand for natural, organic, and science-powered products, more and more players are entering the industry to make a mark for themselves. One such example is The Beauty Sailor. The company is committed to bridging the gap between premium-quality skincare and affordability with its active and natural ingredient products in India.
In this article, we’ll learn more about The Beauty Sailor, its products, its founders, its business model, and more.
The Beauty Sailor is a company that believes in empowering individual beauty with affordable, high-quality skincare. They celebrate uniqueness and aim to redefine beauty as a core part of well-being, all while delivering happy customer testimonials from various parts of the globe.
The Essence of Health and Vitality in One Place: Sailing through the ocean of active and natural ingredients, The Beauty Sailor has brought the best of the best products to give your skin the luxury it deserves. Creating the Best in Class Skin, Hair, and Body Care Products for Beauty has adapted quickly over the 21st century, and they, with adventure at their core, attempt to chart the course of perfect skin care solutions compatible with times. The company aims to become a one-stop shop of products to quench your skin’s every need.
The Beauty Sailor – Industry
The global Beauty and Personal Caremarket is valued at $571 billion in 2023. The beauty and personal care market will hit a jaw-dropping market size of $716.6 billion by 2025. The US cosmetic market is worth a staggering $62.46 billion. India’s Cosmetics Products Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.23% during the forecast period 2020 – 2025.
So, keeping the market size and requirements of necessary personal care products, the company has expanded its product range to:
The Beauty Sailor was founded by Mr. Avtar Singh and Ms. Raman Bakshi in September 2020 and established its first corporate office in January 2021 in Mohali, Punjab. Empowering more than 100+ people directly and indirectly, the company aims to provide a healthy and cheerful platform to grow one and all participants of its journey.
Mr. Avtar Singh and Ms. Raman Bakshi – Founders, The Beauty Sailor
Avtar Singh
With an experience of more than 15 years in the corporate world, Mr. Avtar Singh is the visionary behind Abbey Edge. He started his career with Leading Bank in Delhi and built his expertise in Business Development, Marketing, and Customer Relationship Management for an exemplary contribution to the firm. In 2012, he founded the first pioneering venture in the real estate market of the region. His direction and vision for the firm could orient it to aim for the pinnacle of success and be the mother company of Abbey Edge India Pvt Ltd, which is oriented towards the same goal.
Raman Bakshi
A firm believer in team spirit and the power of coordination, Ms. Raman Bakshi is a dynamic leader and loving mentor of the AEIPL team with 12 years of valuable corporate experience. Her confidence in the creative expression of her team allows each team member to unleash their full potential. She believes in ‘ideas over hierarchy’ and takes pride in the self-sufficiency of her team. Strongly backed by her team, Ms. Bakshi aims to take AEIPL to the pinnacle of success and redefine the accessibility of good quality products from just a small class to a wider market.
The Beauty Sailor – Startup Story
As users, founders Mr. Avtar Singh and Ms. Raman Kaur always quest for premium and luxury skin care products in India, which were more expensive and more of them were non-effective at the same time. So they decided to make products to bridge the gap between Premium Quality Skincare and Affordability, made with Active and Natural Ingredients Products in India, keeping all skin and hair-related major concerns in mind according to the changing weather conditions in India.
The Beauty Sailor – Products/Services
The Beauty Sailor Products
The Beauty Sailor creates products to cater to the needs of everyone. In the era where chemicals have become part of every small thing owned and used, The Beauty Sailor makes products with nature in mind. They use nature-derived ingredients as well as active ingredients to balance all basic and advanced requirements of today’s skin, body, and hair needs, which are also parabens-free and sustainable to make sure that products are as gentle on the skin as on nature. None of its products are tested on animals.
The product range is:
Skin Care
Hair Care
Body Care
Face Care
Gift Packs, Combos, and Regimes
The Beauty Sailor – Vision and Mission
We all have different and unique souls. While we acknowledge the uniqueness of our inside, why keep our outer shield limited to the common? says Raman Bakshi, Founder & Chief Operating Officer, The Beauty Sailor
Vision: Established to celebrate the oneness of the entire YOU, The Beauty Sailor strive to become a loyal and royal partner of customers’ magnificent skin, body, and hair. Its vision is to provide customers with sustainable products specifically designed to enhance the beauty that is already there.
Mission: With its pioneering technology and scientifically proven manufacturing processes, the company aims to create skin, body, and hair care products that resonate with the modern generation. With its experience and expertise, the company aims to design products that shatter one self’s boundaries, enhance the beauty already there, and push them to the cutting edge. The team of The Beauty Sailor is passionate about delivering the best and satisfying the different needs of its customers. Making customers’ shopping experiences hassle-free and blissful remains one of its prime concerns.
The Beauty Sailor – Name, Tagline, and Logo
The Beauty Sailor Logo
In the ocean of beauty, where there are uncounted natural and active ingredients available, The Beauty Sailor tried to dive into this ocean and try to sail customers with the best out of the best ingredients to make premium quality products. That’s how “The Beauty Sailor” name was chosen by its founders. All products are suitable for all age groups, all skin types, and all genders.
Tagline: Assured Quality
The Beauty Sailor – Business and Revenue Model
The Beauty Sailor is a Mohali, Punjab-based eCommerce company, serving the skincare industry on B2B and D2C models, whose revenue model is based on the offers available on different D2C platforms (Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, Myntra, Purplle, and others), with its wide range of skin, hair, and body care products. The company has had more than 1 Lac+ happy customers within 2 years of the journey, and the countdown is running and so on.
The Beauty Sailor – Customer Retention Strategy
Product quality is its core strength; with more than 55% repeat customers, the company always offers attractive discounts, and one-to-one customer attention and service make the company stand by the time.
The products are India and US FDA Certified, Dermatological Tested, and free from parabens, silicon, and sulfates (DMDM, LLP, TEA, and DEA). None of the products are tested on animals.
Every new company faces challenges and hurdles in its starting journey, and The Beauty Sailor was not shielded from them. Being new to the online market, some strategies did not work according to their vision. The core team realized it needed to rephrase the marketing strategy and come up with strong and tested strategies. As a result, the company could see itself rooting its feet in this industry. Now, they are coming up with online and offline stores with multiple hair, skin, and body care ranges to reach the maximum number of customers.
The Beauty Sailor – Great Initiative
Mission 1 Crore Green Hands: The Beauty Sailor always thrive on making choices that are good for its consumers as well as the environment. With this vision in mind, the company makes products that are free from toxins and devoid of animal testing. With customers’ help, The Beauty Sailor now targets to plant 1 crore trees that will improve air quality, soil quality, and even groundwater levels.
The Beauty Sailor’s Mission 1 Crore Green Hands
The Beauty Sailor – Competitors
Being in a growing market, The Beauty Sailor also faces direct and indirect competition from some of the existing companies and big players in the market. Amway India, Vichy, and Bath & Body Works are some of them.
Ashwini
