That Great Business Show supports Irish businesses. We are all #TeamGBS. Since we’ve started recording ‘Ireland’s best business podcast’, we’ve had some amazing beauty and skincare brand founders on sharing their beauty and business secrets.
Sculpted by Aimee by Aimee Connolly
On Episode 19 of That Great Business Show, we spoke to Aimee Connolly, makeup artist turned entrepreneur and creator of Irish makeup and beauty brand ‘Sculpted by Aimee’. Founded in 2016, the company’s product portfolio has increased steadily, expanding from multi-use sculpting palettes to mineral foundations and lip products.
Aimee credits her company’s success in a highly competitive market to:
Creating high-quality products that work
Knowing her customers inside and out
The absolute ‘hands-on’ approach of her and her team
Empowering customers with beauty education such as online tutorials, tips and tricks
Like many companies, ‘Sculpted by Aimee’ saw customers switch to online purchasing with online sales increasing from 30% to 45%. Even though she’s only 28 years old, she feels she ‘too old’ to promote the product on TikTok. Find out what she’s learned about Instagram HERE.
The Skin Nerd/Skingredients by Jennifer Rock
Jennifer Rock, founder/all-round lovely “hooman” behind Irish skincare brand, The Skin Nerd and Skingredients featured on Episode 5 of That Great Business Show. Jennifer and her team work to empower their customers to feel better in their skin through skin education. Jennifer grew her empire, using social media as an educational platform and then branched into her Nerd Network online skin consultations and eCommerce companies. Although her brand is based on technology, Jennifer believes fostering an engaged and supported community by providing credible, affordable and accessible skin education is key to the success of her business. Ultimately, she wants her customers to “treat their skin like an organ, less like an accessory” - a mission #TeamGBS can definitely get behind. Episode 5 gives you the full lowdown.
MOXI LOVES by Pamela Laird
On Episode 2 of That Great Business Show, we spoke to Pamela Laird, creator of beauty brand MOXI LOVES, a brand designed to simplify travel beauty whilst making it fun and affordable. Pamela featured on Season 15 of BBC’s The Apprentice, making it to the final three, giving her a fantastically high-profile platform to showcase her MOXI LOVES products.
Pamela’s super strengths are her determination, resilience and innovation. Hear how she bounced back when her top-selling product, Eye Catcher (a liquid-filled cotton bud), was discontinued when EU rules on single-use plastics were introduced in 2020. Pamela quickly pivoted (we love a good pivot on That Great Business Show!), developing a replacement product called Bare Faced (a cleanser-infused cotton square). Pamela’s motto: “Feel the fear and do it anyway - if it’s not scary, it’s too easy” - Amen!
Jo Browne Ireland by Jo Browne
Jo Browne of award-winning skincare brand Jo Browne Ireland featured on Episode 17. Based in Hacketstown (#TeamGBS innovation hub!) Carlow, the company offers luxury natural and sustainable products for you and your home. All products are packaged in eco-friendly bamboo packaging. A long-time solid perfume wearer, Jo identified a gap in this niche market and created her own natural solid perfume. Following its overwhelming success and positive feedback the brand was born and she came up smelling of rose!
Undeterred by Covid-19, 6 new Jo Browne Ireland products were launched and exciting new avenues were opened, including her expansion into the high-value homeware market. Her range now includes:
Within 6 months of its launch, the company won the Bank of Ireland Start up Award, Image magazine and RSVP beauty awards and the Carlow Chamber of Commerce Award. The business has a wide network of national and global stockists and they’ve also just cracked open the massive South Korean market. All from Hacketstown (pop. 1,100). Find out how she did it on E17.
Girl power
The progress of these female-led Irish companies at this time is a testimony to their resilience and resourcefulness. #TeamGBS is proud to support these innovative enterprises. Don't forget to tune into their respective episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts and join the conversation on our social platforms. Go girls!