Beyond Beauty: the business of beauty

Hosted by Anne Laughlin and Jacobo Lumbreras
  • 5.0 (3)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED DAILY

We bring a spotlight to the business of beauty and highlight the key entrepreneurs, executives, investors and thought leaders behind a myriad of successful beauty and wellness companies. Our mission is to revolutionize the way industry leaders connect by transforming traditional coffee meetings with top entrepreneurs and beauty brand executives into a powerful digital platform—delivering unparalleled business insights, AI-driven innovations, and cutting-edge beauty and consumer brand marketing strategies. Follow along to learn the secrets of the resilient and evolving beauty business.

  1. 06/18/2025

    Studs Founder: Anna Harman is Building Gen Z’s Favorite Ear Piercing Brand

    Show Notes: In this episode of the Beyond Beauty Podcast, Anna Harman, CEO and co-founder of Studs, shares her journey of launching a modern ear piercing brand. Anna discusses overcoming challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlights the importance of customer experience, technology, and work-life balance. She reflects on lessons learned as an entrepreneur and mother, offers advice on prioritizing well-being, and shares her beauty must-haves. The episode provides insights into building a successful brand in the beauty industry and Anna’s vision for Studs’ future growth. About Anna: With nearly a decade of extensive experience in operations, retail, finance and consumer companies known for operational excellence, Anna Harman launched Studs with her co-founder Lisa Bubbers in November 2019. After noticing a gap in the piercing and retail market, they created Studs to reimagine the ear piercing and earring shopping experience for the modern consumer. Studs prioritizes safety and expertise in a cool, fun, and welcoming environment, along with a wide earring assortment designed for endless Earscaping® – all at an accessible price point. Anna Harman began her career as an attorney after graduating from Boston University Law School. After four years at Bridgewater Associates, she moved to New York City to join Fitz – an in-home closet organizing and wardrobe editing service that later sold to Tradesy – as the Head of Operations. From there, she became a Director at Store No. Eight, a standalone incubation arm within Walmart, where she focused on developing ideas and technologies that would inform the future of retail. Most recently, she served as the Interim Chief Customer Officer at Jetblack, a text-message based personal shopping service. Time Stamps: Podcast Introduction & Anna’s Background (00:00:25) Our host, Anne, introduces Anna, her experience, and the mission of Studs. Anna’s Piercing Experience & Market Research (00:01:47) Anna recounts her personal piercing experience and the research that led to Studs’ creation. Studs’ Business Model & Growth (00:03:07) Overview of Studs’ focus on ear piercing, earrings, and national expansion. Product Offering & Ear Scaping Concept (00:04:58) Explanation of combining piercing and earring retail, and the concept of “ear scaping.” Impact of COVID-19 on Studs (00:06:10) How the pandemic affected store operations and shifted focus to e-commerce. Fundraising & Investor Response (00:06:50) Anna shares her experience raising capital and pitching Studs as “Claire’s for grown-ups.” In-Store Experience & Customer Referrals (00:07:57) Importance of physical locations, hospitality, and word-of-mouth marketing for Studs. Anna’s Career Path & Entrepreneurship Advice (00:12:13) Anna’s background in law, finance, and operations, and advice on risk aversion in entrepreneurship. Balancing Business and Family (00:16:46) Anna’s experience starting Studs while pregnant and managing work-life balance with young children. Leveraging AI for Business Efficiency (00:21:15) How Anna and her team use AI tools to streamline creative and operational tasks. Advice to Younger Self & Work-Life Balance (00:24:01) Anna reflects on prioritizing balance over work and advice for her younger self. Beauty Must-Haves (00:25:33) Anna shares her favorite beauty products and routines. Studs’ Future & Social Media Trends (00:26:49) How Studs is evolving with jewelry trends, social media, and community building. Personal Growth & Turning 40 (00:28:42) Anna discusses embracing exercise, personal change, and investing in herself as she turns 40. Podcast Closing & Contact Information (00:30:27) Anne wraps up, shares how to connect with Studs, and thanks Anna for her insights. This podcast is produced by Dillie: a content innovation partner leveraging AI to bring beauty and personal care brands into the future of marketing. https://dillie.com/

    31 min

  2. 06/11/2025

    How AI is Shaping Skincare with Award-Winning Product Innovator Ameann DeJohn

    Show Notes: In this episode of the Beyond Beauty Podcast, guest Ameann DeJohn explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the beauty industry. She discusses the rise of personalized skincare, the influence of social media on consumer education, and how AI can help individuals select products tailored to their unique skin needs and makeup shades. Ameann also highlights the importance of creativity and education as AI shapes future beauty marketing. The conversation offers insights into how technology and artistry can work together to enhance the beauty experience for consumers and brands alike. About Ameann: With over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, Ameann is a skincare entrepreneur and leader who combines her passion for product development, marketing, and brand building with her expertise in esthetics and education. She is the Managing Member of Media Lab Science, a company that provides innovative solutions for digital media and e-commerce platforms, as well as the CEO and Co-Founder of Clarisma Beauty, a natural enzyme-based skincare collection that launched exclusively at ULTA in 2020. Ameann is also the Founder of Ameann Beauty, a consultancy that specializes in implementing brand strategies, designing packaging concepts, conducting consumer perception studies, and enhancing shelf appeal for new product introductions. She has spearheaded various projects for many brands, ranging from profit and loss constructions to formula evaluation to warehousing and fulfillment. Ameann has been featured at national personal care conferences and beauty industry events, held training seminars, and appeared on major television networks as a guest speaker, podcast guest, and early stage advisor. Time Stamps: Ameann DeJohn's Career Journey (00:01:28) Ameann shares her background, from early interest in beauty to product development and working as an esthetician. Personalization in Skincare (00:03:00) Discussion on the evolution of personalized skincare, the role of estheticians, and how technology and AI are changing personalization. Impact of Social Media on Beauty (00:05:03) How social media and influencers have increased product awareness, consumer education, and the spread of both accurate and inaccurate information. Consumer Education & Clinical Testing (00:07:07) The importance of clinical testing, consumer research, and how educated consumers are making more informed choices. Simplification Trend in Skincare (00:10:19) Shift from complex, multi-step routines to simplified skincare, and how AI can help match people with the right products. AI in Skincare & Color Analysis (00:11:24) How AI can analyze skin and color, provide tailored recommendations, and simplify product selection for consumers. Custom Blending & Inclusivity in Makeup (00:19:20) Ameann's experience with custom blend makeup and early inclusive brands, and the importance of matching all facial colors. AI in Clinical Testing & Consumer Matching (00:21:07) Potential for AI to innovate clinical testing, recruit diverse participants, and personalize product recommendations. AI in Advertising & Content Creation (00:23:39) How AI could reduce waste in advertising, improve A/B testing, and help small brands compete more effectively. Storytelling, Testing, and Social Commerce (00:27:53) Combining storytelling, clinical testing, and AI-driven matching to create engaging, effective beauty campaigns. Ameann's Beauty Must-Haves (00:31:32) Ameann shares her essential beauty products and tools, including microcurrent devices, growth factors, and collagen. Contact Information & Closing (00:34:43) Where to find Ameann online, final thanks, and episode wrap-up. This podcast is produced by Dillie: a content innovation partner leveraging AI to bring beauty and personal care brands into the future of marketing. https://dillie.com/

    35 min

  3. 06/04/2025

    Kate Whitney on Building Boulevard: A Luxury Consignment Boutique Rooted in Intuition & Individual Style

    Show Notes: In this episode of the Beyond Beauty Podcast, founder Kate Whitney shares her entrepreneurial journey behind Boulevard, a luxury consignment boutique based in San Diego. Kate discusses her transition from entertainment to fashion and the importance of personal style. She offers insights on building confidence through clothing, curating meaningful wardrobes, and embracing individuality over trends. The episode highlights Kate’s plans for Boulevard’s future, her commitment to sustainability, and her belief in trusting intuition and timing in both business and life. About Kate: Kate opened Boulevard in October of 2020. She had recently moved from Los Angeles with $2500 to her name and covid hit. Her former self-employment as a writer and stage actress had now been shut down and she needed to pivot her life. Her first store was 900 square feet and with the help of one consignor, she began to build her brand. 10 months later, she was on the main shopping avenue in La Jolla with a 4000 square foot, 2-story store. Now Boulevard is branched into 3 stores, including a separate women’s and men’s boutique in Rancho Santa Fe.  Kate believes fashion is meant to help us feel certain ways in our life. Life can be a series of chapters and clothing can actually help us along the way. She finds the culture is an automatic structure, wanting to force everyone to look a certain way by ‘wearing this’ or ‘wearing that, but Boulevard offers a new way.  “Everyone is uniquely made so why wouldn’t we wear what is unique to us.” This is the branding of Boulevard - that YOU are the trend, YOU create your style and Kate, along with her stores, hopes to invite and encourage women and men to have the confidence and inspiration to BE who they were born to be. Time Stamps: Podcast Introduction & Episode Overview (00:00:23) The host, Anne Laughlin, introduces the Beyond Beauty Podcast, Kate Whitney, and the episode’s focus on style, authenticity, and entrepreneurship. The Resale Market & Store Opportunity (00:04:58) Kate’s experience with brick-and-mortar resale, a pivotal store visit, and the unexpected offer to buy a consignment shop. Entrepreneurial Risk and Timing (00:06:48) Kate explains negotiating to buy the store, trusting timing, and the role of faith in her entrepreneurial journey. Everything Leads to Boulevard (00:10:25) Kate reflects on how her past experiences and failures led her to create Boulevard. The Power of Listening and Decision-Making (00:15:01) Kate talks about developing the “listening muscle” for better decision-making and trusting intuition in business. Personal Style vs. Trends (00:17:29) Exploration of personal style, cultural pressures, and the loss of individuality in the age of online shopping. Helping Customers Find Authentic Style (00:18:54) Kate explains how Boulevard helps customers rediscover confidence and authentic self-expression through clothing. Clothing, Confidence, and Self-Worth (00:20:11) Discussion on how clothing choices reflect deeper narratives of self-worth and the importance of honoring individuality. Energetic Impact of Authentic Style (00:22:30) Kate discusses how authentic style inspires others and the energetic effect of being true to oneself. Honoring Life’s Phases Through Style (00:24:26) Kate shares how clothing choices can honor different life phases, emotions, and transitions. Confidence to Stand Out (00:31:11) Kate and Anne discuss the confidence required to stand out and honor personal choices despite external criticism. Essentials for Personal Style (00:37:56) Kate shares her philosophy on wardrobe essentials: own pieces you absolutely love and that make you feel your best. Where to Find Boulevard (00:43:29) Kate provides information on how to find Boulevard’s locations and connect via social media and website. This podcast is produced by Dillie: a content innovation partner leveraging AI to bring beauty and personal care brands into the future of marketing. https://dillie.com/

    44 min

  4. 05/29/2025

    Maxine's Revenge: Leah Hundsness on Representation & Reinventing Beauty for Women 50+

    Show Notes: In this episode of the Beyond Beauty Podcast, Leah Hundsness, Founder of Maxine's Revenge, shares her journey from the tech industry to the beauty sector, emphasizing the importance of representation for women over 50. Leah discusses her motivations for starting her brand, the challenges faced, and the opportunities that arose, particularly during the pandemic. She highlights the need to rewrite societal narratives about aging and the significance of resilience. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace their unique journeys and dream big, regardless of age. About Leah: Leah's first beauty job was as the Marketing Director for Sephora.com in 1998 when Sephora first came to the US. She went on to work for Smashbox, Sephora Paris, Too Faced, Sephora Singapore, Too Faced, Gucci Beauty Paris, and now, Maxine's Revenge in Southern California. Leah has tested thousands of formulas in makeup and skincare over decades of working with brands all over the world. Maxine's Revenge is inspired by the unfussy French makeup style she fell in love with when living there. The look is a clean, even complexion, makeup that's subtle and elegant. The Parisians with this style were not wall flowers. They were leaders of the most prestigious fashion, beauty and creative companies in Paris and were well over 40+. They looked comfortable in their skin, with or without wrinkles, with or without silver hair. Leah described this confidence as intoxicating and exciting, saying "It's a vibe I want for all of us -- even my younger sisters, who don't even realize they're subconsciously freaking out by the notion that once their skin isn't tight and plump, it's all over. I'm here to prove them wrong, for their own sake, on many levels." Time Stamps: Starting in the Beauty Industry (00:01:51) Leah reflects on her initial steps into the beauty sector and launching her brand. Discovering Sephora (00:03:07) Leah shares the serendipitous moment that led her to Sephora's marketing team. Staying Dynamic in Beauty (00:06:57) Leah emphasizes the importance of connecting with customers to understand trends. Creating a Brand for Women Over 50 (00:12:04) Leah identifies a gap in the market for beauty products catering to older women. Rewriting Societal Narratives (00:14:50) Leah discusses her mission to change the narrative around aging and beauty. The Reality of Starting a Business Later in Life (00:16:27) Leah reflects on the challenges and advantages of entrepreneurship at 50. Different Chapters of Life (00:18:02) The discussion highlights the beauty of various life stages and experiences. Pamela Anderson as a Role Model (00:19:07) Leah uses Pamela Anderson as an example of redefining beauty standards with age. Maxine's Revenge and Positive Energy (00:20:09) Leah connects her brand's philosophy to resilience and empowerment for women. The Importance of Taking Risks (00:22:16) Leah and the host Anne discuss how risks and failures contribute to personal growth. Introducing Maxine's Revenge (27:29) The meaning behind the brand name and its connection to personal empowerment. Scrappy Start (31:04) The importance of starting small and building a community before launching products. Authenticity Over Expertise (34:40) The dangers of relying too much on experts and the value of personal involvement. Building and Embracing the Roughness (00:43:15) Leah discusses the importance of launching beta products and the challenges of team management. Final Thoughts and Future Goals (00:46:09) Anne asks Leah about her current perspective on life and her future aspirations. Brand Vision and Personal Pride (00:48:08) Leah shares her vision for her brand and her pride in aging gracefully. This podcast is produced by Dillie: a content innovation partner leveraging AI to bring beauty and personal care brands into the future of marketing. https://dillie.com/

    51 min

  5. 05/21/2025

    Inside the Creator Economy: Sarah Jannetti on Influencer Briefs That Create Authentic, High-Performing Content

    Show Notes: In this episode of the Beyond Beauty podcast, Sarah Jannetti, founder of Content Recipe, discusses her journey into entrepreneurship. She explains the role of AI in enhancing the creator economy and the need for brands to think like creators to build trust with their audiences. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating social commerce and the importance of providing tailored influencer briefs for creators. Sarah shares valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and brands looking to thrive in the dynamic landscape of social media. About Sarah: Sarah Jannetti is a content creator, strategist, and the founder of Content Recipe, an AI-powered platform that helps brands create personalized, high-performing influencer briefs in seconds. With a growing audience on TikTok and Substack, Sarah blends her experience as a creator with her background in branding and early-stage startups to build tools that prioritize authenticity, utility, and trust in an oversaturated content landscape. A graduate of NYU Stern, she’s spent the last few years exploring the intersection of media, marketing, and technology—and is now focused on helping both creators and brands make content that actually resonates. Time Stamps: 00:00 The Creation of Content Recipe 06:05 Navigating the Creator Economy 12:02 Leveraging AI for Authenticity 17:51 Building Trust in Content Creation 23:47 Advice for Brands and Entrepreneurs This podcast is produced by Dillie: a content innovation partner leveraging AI to bring beauty and personal care brands into the future of marketing. https://dillie.com/

    31 min

  6. 05/19/2025

    Elyse Conroy on Building Confidence from Within and Embracing Failure to Grow

    Show Notes: In this episode of the Beyond Beauty podcast, Elyse Conroy shares her journey from a successful career in the beauty industry to becoming a confidence coach. She unpacks the importance of building confidence from within, defining your own version of success, and embracing failure as a stepping stone to growth. Elyse highlights the power of female mentorship and the value of choosing collaboration over competition, challenging scarcity mindsets, and creating safe, supportive work environments for women. The conversation also explores the role of courage in building confidence and navigating the fear of judgment. This episode encourages women to take charge of their lives and careers, advocating for bold moves and reminding us that hearing "no" is often just a redirection toward something greater. About Elyse: Elyse Conroy is a Fortune 500 Beauty Industry executive turned Confidence Coach and Career Advocate, dedicated to helping high-achieving women build career confidence, elevate their leadership, and achieve executive success. She works with powerhouse women to shatter self-imposed glass ceilings, silence perfectionism, and develop the bulletproof self-trust needed to take bold action—so they can unapologetically own every room, command respect, and lead with unshakable confidence. Through her coaching, electrifying keynotes, The Confidence Lounge podcast, and transformational retreats, Elyse is on a mission to help women stop doubting themselves and step fully into the executive influence, presence, and success they were born for. Time Stamps: 00:51 Elise Conroy's Journey to Confidence Coaching 04:11 Redefining Success and Embracing Failure 07:52 Building Confidence from Within 12:01 The Role of Courage in Confidence 16:00 Navigating External Judgments and Mentorship 20:52 Breaking the Scarcity Mindset 23:02 Collaboration Over Competition 26:48 Creating Safe Work Environments 28:13 Navigating Career Growth in Beauty 30:54 Embracing AI in the Beauty Industry 33:39 Burning Down to Build Up 37:48 Sitting in the Front Row of Life This podcast is produced by Dillie: a content innovation partner leveraging AI to bring beauty and personal care brands into the future of marketing. https://dillie.com/

    42 min

  7. 05/07/2025

    The Gut-Skin Axis: Kat Burki and the Science of Skincare

    Show Notes: In this episode of the Beyond Beauty podcast, Kat Burki, CEO and founder of Kat Burki Skincare, shares her unique journey from law and healthcare to entrepreneurship in the skincare industry. She discusses the importance of gut health in relation to skin health, the biochemistry behind effective skincare, and the evolution of marketing in the beauty industry. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the significance of intuition in decision-making and shares her beauty non-negotiables. About Kat: With over 30 years of Disease Management research and experience, Kat Burki has made a successful career of applying the proven principles of Nutritional Biochemistry to healthcare programs, policies, and skincare formulations. She has created skincare that is bridging the gap between what we know promotes health and healing within the body for its largest organ on the outside, the skin. After graduating Undergraduate studying Nutrition, Kat Burki received her Juris Doctorate in Healthcare Law. To focus her career on Policy and Disease Management, she earned an additional Master's degree, studying Epidemiology. Creating every product herself, she has revolutionized the view of skincare with her Biochemistry approach to formulations as well as her understanding of the Gut-Skin axis for optimized Skin Health and Healing. Time Stamps: 00:00 The Journey to Skincare Entrepreneurship 05:04 Gut Health and Skin Connection 10:02 Biochemistry-Backed Skincare 15:02 Navigating Marketing and Branding 20:08 The Role of AI in Skincare 24:50 Advice and Non-Negotiables in Beauty 29:51 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations This podcast is produced by Dillie: a content innovation partner leveraging AI to bring beauty and personal care brands into the future of marketing. https://dillie.com/

    38 min

  8. 04/29/2025

    Beauty On the Go: The Subtl Beauty Journey with Rachel Reid & Jessica Zeller

    Show Notes: In this episode of Beyond Beauty, host Anne interviews Rachel Reid, Founder of Subtl Beauty, and Jessica Zeller, the brand's Chief Marketing Officer. Rachel shares her entrepreneurial journey, inspired by the need for portable beauty solutions. She discusses the challenges of launching a startup, the importance of understanding customer needs, and embracing failure. Jessica highlights the Subtl's focus on community engagement and direct-to-consumer relationships. The conversation explores the role of AI in beauty marketing, the rebranding process, and the need for adaptability in today's market. About Rachel: Before being the founder of Subtl, Rachel was a marketing analyst whose career centered on efficiency and optimization. When she found herself in the early stages of a new relationship—that are-we-sleeping-over-or-not stage—she wanted to appear unassuming and effortless. So, she did what she does best: she came up with a solution. Transferring her makeup into contact lens cases, which allowed her to discreetly carry all the beauty basics in her usual bag. Her friends found this genius, quickly adopting the hack. It worked for everything—early dating, the gym locker room, the office bathroom, the can Rachel got to work on making it official—creating SUBTL, a modula one-of-a-kind stacking system that contains clean, vegan formulas with bold color payoff. Finally, a way to carry makeup that fits in your bag—and your life. About Jessica: Jessica Zeller has been the Chief Marketing Officer of Subtl Beauty since May 2024. She has over 10+ years of experience in global marketing leadership, having worked at major brands such as Vegamour, Ilia Beauty, Kendo Brands (Ole Henriksen, Bite Beauty), and Sephora. Jessica is a thought leader with a focus on brand storytelling, motivating teams, creating memorable consumer experiences and delivering incredible results. Time Stamps: Inspiration for Subtl Beauty (00:03:14) The idea originated from needing portable beauty solutions for overnight stays. Consumer Engagement Insights (00:05:08) Rachel emphasizes understanding customer needs through interviews and surveys to shape her product offerings. Initial Product Development (00:09:27) Discussion on the first product launch, focusing on the unique stacked design and diverse makeup categories. Launch Strategy and Kickstarter (00:11:27) Rachel recounts the launch of Subtl Beauty in 2018 via Kickstarter. Challenges of Scaling (00:16:56) Rachel discusses the difficulty of scaling a beauty brand in a competitive market while maintaining close customer relationships. Community Engagement and Rebranding (00:18:00) Jessica highlights the importance of community feedback in the rebranding process and product development. Building an Emotional Connection (00:19:28) Jessica discusses the importance of emotional connection with consumers and how Subtl Beauty addresses their needs. Rebranding Subtl Beauty (00:20:27) Jessica explains the rebranding process, focusing on simplifying makeup routines and enhancing consumer engagement. Utilizing AI in Beauty (00:22:03) The host and Rachel explore how Subtl Beauty integrates AI for customer insights and marketing strategies. Balancing Brand Building and Short-Term Gains (00:28:57) The speakers discuss the challenge of balancing immediate results with long-term brand development. Advice for Entrepreneurs (00:30:20) Jessica and Rachel share insights on embracing failure and the mindset needed for entrepreneurial success. Beauty Must-Haves (00:33:05) Rachel and Jessica reveal their essential beauty products. Personal Reflections on Life's Journey (00:35:56) The speakers reflect on their personal aspirations and the balance between professional commitments and personal fulfillment. This podcast is produced by Dillie: a content innovation partner leveraging AI to bring beauty and personal care brands into the future of marketing. https://dillie.com/

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

We bring a spotlight to the business of beauty and highlight the key entrepreneurs, executives, investors and thought leaders behind a myriad of successful beauty and wellness companies. Our mission is to revolutionize the way industry leaders connect by transforming traditional coffee meetings with top entrepreneurs and beauty brand executives into a powerful digital platform—delivering unparalleled business insights, AI-driven innovations, and cutting-edge beauty and consumer brand marketing strategies. Follow along to learn the secrets of the resilient and evolving beauty business.

Information

  • Creator
    Hosted by Anne Laughlin and Jacobo Lumbreras
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    153
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hosted by Anne Laughlin and Jacobo Lumbreras
  • Show Website
    Beyond Beauty: the business of beauty