Beauty from the Shelf Monique Hutcherson Benoit

In this episode of the Beauty from the Shelf podcast, host Monique Benoit delves into the crucial topic of self-care for founders with guest Jasmin Foster. As an entrepreneur in the early-stage beauty industry, Jasmin understands the demands and challenges founders face in juggling multiple roles. The conversation begins by highlighting the importance of prioritizing self-care amidst the hustle of entrepreneurship.
 
Jasmin shares her journey of balancing a full-time job with building her beauty brand during off-hours. She emphasizes the necessity of intentional time management to ensure personal well-being doesn't take a backseat. Through calendar blocks and mindful scheduling, she carves out moments for herself, her family, and activities she loves, reinforcing the idea that self-care isn't just relaxation—it's a holistic approach to personal development.
 
The discussion further explores strategies for continuous growth as a founder while maintaining self-care as a priority. Jasmin acknowledges the learning curve of managing an early-stage business, leveraging resources like YouTube tutorials and networking with industry experts to fill skill gaps. She emphasizes the importance of financial planning to alleviate pressure and uncertainty, advocating for concrete cash flow management and discernment in decision-making.
 
As the conversation unfolds, Jasmin offers insights into balancing entrepreneurial duties with the demands of being a microinfluencer. She shares her experience hiring support to manage content creation, highlighting the importance of delegation and mentorship in sustaining productivity and creativity.
 
Recognizing the risk of burnout, Jasmin discusses warning signs and preventive measures. She stresses the significance of building a supportive community and maintaining regular self-check-ins to realign priorities. Through personal anecdotes, she reflects on the surprises, challenges, and joys of launching her own brand, emphasizing the fulfillment of serving her community and witnessing the impact of her products.
 
Listeners are invited to connect with Jasmin and explore her brand, BeRooted, across various channels, reaffirming the podcast's commitment to empowering early-stage beauty founders with valuable insights and actionable strategies for sustainable growth.
 
Follow BeRooted on Instagram @berootedco
 
Visit the Be Rooted website at: https://berootedco.com/



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Jasmin Foster
Monique Benoit
 
Thank you to The Emerson Group, the sponsor of the Beauty from the Shelf Podcast. The Emerson Group is a consumer products and equity organization that works with brands that sell into retailers across the USA, Mexico and Canada. Their services include logistics, marketing, consumer insights, brand design, consumer care, and more. For more information on our organization, visit emersongroup.com.

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Beauty from the Shelf podcast with your host, Monique Benoit. In this episode, we delve into the ever-evolving landscape of retail post-COVID, exploring how the dynamics have shifted for emerging brands venturing into the retail space. Our guest, John Peine, has a wealth of experience in the industry. He sheds light on the changes in shopping behavior and the newfound openness of consumers to try new brands.
John is currently the Head of Sales at Uncommon Retail, a retail agency that helps DTC brands expand and breakthrough at Target.
John draws from his experience as a merchant with 20+ years working at Target, and founder of Friska to share invaluable insights into the essentials for scaling at big retail. We explore the crucial factors for sustainable growth, from managing finances effectively to avoiding the pitfall of scaling too quickly. We dissect the myth of overnight success in retail, emphasizing the importance of strategic scaling and learning from case studies of successful brands.
Selecting the right retail launch partner is paramount for a brand's success. We delve into the criteria founders should prioritize when choosing retailers, emphasizing the retailer's willingness to highlight the brand and support its growth. With projections indicating that a significant portion of purchases will still occur in physical stores in the future, understanding retail launch strategies is imperative for aspiring beauty brands.
As we navigate the transition from direct-to-consumer (DTC) to a full-store roll-out, John discusses the essential factors for success.
This episode summarizes changes in retail, expectations for brands, and specific metrics on what you can look for to know you’re ready for big retail.
For more information about John’s company, Uncommon Retail, visit them here: https://www.uncommon-retail.com/
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John Peine
Monique Benoit
Thank you to The Emerson Group, the sponsor of the Beauty from the Shelf Podcast. The Emerson Group is a consumer products and equity organization that works with brands that sell into retailers across the USA, Mexico and Canada. Their services include logistics, marketing, consumer insights, brand design, consumer care, and more. For more information on our organization, visit emersongroup.com.

In this episode of Beauty from the Shelf, Monique Benoit sits down with Robin Beck, CEO of Manufacturing to Retail, a company specializing in product development strategies. With a background as a chemist and experience working for major organizations like Target and Ecolab, Robin brings invaluable insights into business strategy and product development.
The conversation kicks off with an exploration of product briefs – their significance, components, and who benefits from them. Robin emphasizes the importance of brand principles and customer experience in crafting effective product briefs, offering valuable tips for new brands embarking on their product development journey.
Robin delves into the distinction between product formulators and manufacturers, sharing key qualities to look for in both roles. She highlights the importance of understanding formulation as a science and suggests questions for founders to ask when evaluating potential partners.
As the discussion progresses, Robin sheds light on formulation ownership, advocating for a flexible approach that prioritizes collaboration over ownership. She provides insights into managing conversations with suppliers and navigating the complexities of formula ownership, tailored to the needs of branded businesses.
Drawing from her extensive industry experience, Robin concludes the episode with sage advice for founders just starting out, emphasizing the importance of thorough research, strategic partnerships, and continuous learning in the competitive landscape of beauty product development.
 
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Robin Beck
Monique Benoit
 
Thank you to The Emerson Group, the sponsor of the Beauty from the Shelf Podcast. The Emerson Group is a consumer products and equity organization that works with brands that sell into retailers across the USA, Mexico and Canada. Their services include logistics, marketing, consumer insights, brand design, consumer care, and more. For more information on our organization, visit emersongroup.com.

In this episode of Beauty from the Shelf, we delve into the world of boutique retailing with Kimberly Waters, owner, founder, and creative director of M.U.S.E., Modern Urban Sensory Experiences. Located in the heart of Harlem, Muse stands as Harlem’s premier niche fragrance destination, offering a unique space for consumers to explore luxury perfumes in an intimate, welcoming environment.
 
Kimberly shares her insights on how boutique retailers like Muse can provide a platform for early-stage beauty brands to gain visibility and connect with clientele. Through her personal journey and dedication to accessibility, Kimberly has built Muse as a space where individuals within the community can discover and experience fragrances without pretension.
 
Kimberly offers valuable perspectives on curating product selections and creating personalized experiences for customers. As we discuss the power of storytelling in the beauty industry, Kimberly emphasizes the significance of understanding consumer preferences and connecting them with the right fragrance. She shares strategies for boutique retailers to effectively communicate brand narratives and values, fostering deeper connections with customers.
 
Kimberly offers advice for early-stage founders seeking partnerships with boutique retailers. From pitching products to establishing credibility, Kimberly provides invaluable insights for navigating the dynamic landscape of boutique retailing.
 
Tune in as we uncover the secrets to creating unique brand experiences and discover how Muse is redefining the beauty retail landscape, one fragrance at a time.



Check out the M.U.S.E. website at: https://www.museexperiences.com/
 
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Kimberly Waters
Monique Benoit

Thank you to The Emerson Group, the sponsor of the Beauty from the Shelf Podcast. The Emerson Group is a consumer products and equity organization that works with brands that sell into retailers across the USA, Mexico and Canada. Their services include logistics, marketing, consumer insights, brand design, consumer care, and more. For more information on our organization, visit emersongroup.com.

Welcome to an eye-opening episode where we delve into the dynamic world of retail channels beyond the everyday. Our expert guest, Mercedes Asare joins the show. Mercedes has hands-on experience working both on the brand side and through distributors. She sheds light on the unique strategies employed to sell products in hair salons and spas. We explore the crucial role distributors play, the vast opportunities in the salon industry, and the key considerations for brands eyeing expansion. Discover the nuances of selling in the professional channel, the impact of stylist and salon collaboration, and the significance of digital marketing in professional hair care. Uncover potential challenges and explore exciting opportunities for brands aiming to make a mark in this thriving sector. Stay tuned for valuable insights and strategic tips for navigating the professional hair care landscape!
 
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Mercedes Asare
Monique Benoit

Thank you to The Emerson Group, the sponsor of the Beauty from the Shelf Podcast. The Emerson Group is a consumer products and equity organization that works with brands that sell into retailers across the USA, Mexico and Canada. Their services include logistics, marketing, consumer insights, brand design, consumer care, and more. For more information on our organization, visit emersongroup.com.

If you’ve ever questioned or wondered how businesses stay true to their brand values and address bold topics trending in current culture then this episode is for you. Monique sits down with Julie Kuciski, a long-time industry veteran, and talks about how your core beliefs can allow brands to show up and mean more to their target consumer.
Speaking out isn’t just about being bold - it’s about creating community, and a lasting relationship between a brand and its target consumer. Listen in to learn how brands can approach these tough topics head on and worry less about being canceled, or performative. 
Check out Wile here: https://wilewomen.com/
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Julie Kucinski
Monique Benoit

Thank you to The Emerson Group, the sponsor of the Beauty from the Shelf Podcast. The Emerson Group is a consumer products and equity organization that works with brands that sell into retailers across the USA, Mexico and Canada. Their services include logistics, marketing, consumer insights, brand design, consumer care, and more. For more information on our organization, visit emersongroup.com.