Starting a business from scratch can be a minefield. There is so much to learn, and the potential for lots of trial and error along the way.
From brand positioning, pricing and selling your products, to making sure you comply with all the legal requirements that come with having a range of beauty products.
I get it. Because I was in exactly your position when I started my own skincare business, Wild Leaf Botanicals, in 2015.
This is why I’ve decided to send the elevator back down to help new skincare business owners build the right foundations so they can succeed and thrive.
The Skincare Business Foundations course is your go-to for building the foundations of a successful skincare brand (and yes, it's suitable for other types of cosmetics too).
This course is designed for new and aspiring skincare business owners who want to launch their skincare brand SOONER, with MORE CONFIDENCE and LESS STRESS.
It's also perfect for you if you've already launched but aren't 100% confident you've got the foundations right.
1. The Natural Skincare Business Basics handbook
This is your ultimate handbook for launching your own skincare brand. It’s a step-by-step and comprehensive guide to support you in building the right foundations for your skincare business.
This 120-page PDF covers everything from starting your business to creating and selling your products (and the legal requirements you need to know along the way).
Topics include:
You’ll receive instant access to the handbook, tools and templates via the course webpage. Access to the webpage will be valid for 12 months, and you'll be able to access any updates to the documents during this time.
2. Essential business tools and templates
You’ll gain access to 7 essential business tools and templates I’ve created and use for my own skincare business to make planning, pricing, batch calculations, finances and markets easier. Saving you time, energy, and mental overwhelm, these will support you through the ins and outs of running your business and become the backbone to keep you on track with your products, finances and goals.
Business Plan-on-a-Page
Every successful business starts with solid foundations. Use this simple Business Plan to outline your what, why, when, how and who, and get clear on your goals and vision for the future.
Batch Calculation
When you’ve created the next “it” product, it’s important the formulation isn’t lost along the way. Use this Batch Calculation spreadsheet to record your final formulation for each product. Save time when manufacturing by simply inputting the quantity of product required to instantly know the quantity of ingredients you need.
Risk Assessment & SWOT Analysis
Being prepared is the best thing you can do for your business. What are the strengths and weaknesses of your business? What are the biggest risks facing your business now and in the future? This template will help you figure them out.
Batch Record
It’s good practice to keep records for each new batch of product you make, and it’s often a requirement from insurance underwriters. This template is an easy way to meet this requirement and keep handy for future reference.
Business Finances
Finances are never fun, but this spreadsheet allows you to estimate your start-up expenses so you can prepare for them, and record your revenue and expenses so you’re ready to see your accountant come tax time.
Market Stock and Sales
Markets are a fantastic outlet for new skincare businesses and made easier with this spreadsheet. Record stock levels, sales, profits, and even ‘balance your till’ after the market has ended.
Inventory & Pricing
Having your pricing right from the get-go will save you a lot of grief further down the track. Use this template to easily and confidently calculate your wholesale and retail pricing based on the prices of your ingredients. Record your inventory and supplier details for effortless re-ordering.
3. A 30-minute 1:1 strategy session
In a 30-minute strategy session with yours truly, you’ll have the opportunity to ask any burning questions you have or advice you need after reading the handbook. We will talk specifics about your brand, your next steps, and you’ll get to pick the brains of someone (me!) who’s been there. Together we will build your confidence and explore options to pave your path to success in your skincare business.
We’ll arrange a date and time that suits you for a chat via phone, Zoom, Messenger or even over a coffee if you’re in Brisbane – whichever you prefer. This session can be booked up to 12 months from the date the course was purchased.
BONUS: Access to Dropbox folder with 12+ handy tools and templates
These bonus tools and templates will help you along the way as you launch and grow your skincare business, including a sample Shipping and Returns Policy, Wholesale Agreement, Product Recall Procedure, market research survey questions, and more.
BONUS: Pricing for Profit package (valued at $99)
Receive the Pricing for Profit package as a bonus when you purchase the course. It's a 15-page guide with training videos that go into more detail about pricing than what's provided in the course.
BONUS: Cosmetics Labelling Essentials guide (valued at $99)
Receive a free copy of my Cosmetics Labelling Essentials guide when you purchase the course. It's an 18-page guide that contains everything you need to know about labelling your skincare products to sell in Australia.
BONUS: Can I Say That? Demystifying cosmetic versus therapeutic claims guide (valued at $29)
Receive a free copy of my Cosmetics versus Therapeutic Claims guide when you purchase the course. It's a must-read 12-page guide that will help you understand the difference between making illegal therapeutic claims and acceptable cosmetic claims.
Define your goals
Gain clarity on what your goals will be and what you need to do to achieve them.
Know your target market
Conduct market research to understand your target market so you can create a problem-solving product they love.
Articulate your selling point
Establish your point of difference in the skincare market.
Be compliant
Relieve your stress by knowing all the relevant laws and regulations you need to comply with.
Get clear on your pricing
Understand how to establish wholesale and retail prices for your products to achieve long-term success in the market.
Market your brand
Get inspiration for how to position your brand in the industry and target your ideal customer.
Save time and money
Be equipped with all the necessary tools and templates to save you hours of research, trial and error and unnecessary paperwork.
Know when to consult an expert
Understand that you can’t always do everything yourself and know when you need to seek advice from a relevant expert.
Feel ready to launch sooner
Gain the confidence that comes with knowing that you have all your bases covered for a successful launch into market.
Only $497
(or 2 x fortnightly payments of $290)
I cannot praise this handbook and Jennifer enough! Having started my business as a hobby 7 months ago, I struggled and spent countless hours researching and trying to figure out everything myself for launching a natural skincare business. Now as I am looking to go from hobby to full business and began looking into wholesale I realised the amount of mistakes I had made... now with having to rebrand, fix my pricing structure and relaunch! I would’ve saved countless hours of stress, time and money if I had this resource available to me at the beginning.
It is so easy to read and follow with such amazing and helpful resources and is especially great as it relates directly to Australian laws and standards. It’s not overwhelming either, it’s laid out in a simple format that goes through process to process so you can work on each step of the business as you go, it literally includes everything you could need to start a natural skincare business in Australia.
But THE BEST THING is when I asked Jennifer questions she is extremely helpful and knowledgeable and went above and beyond to answer any queries I had. I would highly recommend the Skincare Business Foundations course to anyone looking at starting or improving their skincare business.
I was so afraid to start my own natural skincare business as I wasn't confident in all the compliance, regulations and labeling aspects of the business, it terrified me to the point I didn't want to launch. Then I found Jennifer, her course and guidance was exactly what I was looking for, I wish I had found it earlier as it would have saved me lots of mental space, stress and $$$.
I purchased the course as a guide to make sure I was on track, and I'm glad I did! I love how it is broken down into a step by step guide, with a tonne of great resources.
I now feel 100% confident, my mind is at ease and I don't have to waste time going back and forth trying to research a billion things. It was a great investment for my business, worth every cent, and Jen is always there for support and any questions I have even months after I purchased the course. I really appreciate having her in our industry.
Although for small start up business it's a lot of money, it's worth it for peace of mind compared to heavy fines and penalties you could face for not being compliant. Jen is a wealth of knowledge. I loved my one-on-one call which help answered a billion of my burning questions!
Skincare Business Foundations is a must-have if you are considering launching your own skincare business in Australia! Jennifer has a wealth of knowledge from various fields, most importantly she has personal background knowledge in running a business as she is the founder of her own natural skincare company. I am a firm believer that education is power, so a course in product formulation will give you the knowledge to create beautiful products, but the Skincare Business Foundations course will give you the confidence to take your products to the next level and confidently launch your own business.
Although I have been making skincare for a few years now, I only recently opened up my own e-commerce store. I truly wish this book had been around when I started, because I could have saved myself money and more importantly valuable time! Jennifer has included all the necessary basics which can be easily overlooked. Personally I have gained a lot and it has been such an easy to follow guide. There are a multitude of links and templates to guide you, further your knowledge and help put your plans into action. I can't recommend it enough!
I purchased the course because before starting, I had an idea of what I wanted to do, however in terms of what steps I need to take and what research to do, I didn't have much knowledge on these at all. After reading what this course could help me with, I was just instantly attracted to purchasing it.
I enjoyed every part of this course, as it covered everything that I needed to know to start my business, to run my business, and to maintain my business. All information provided was very detailed and with this course, it saved so much time as it told me all the necessary research needed, and where to research.
I feel much more confident, and I feel very excited about my brand, if I need to, I can just always go back to the course booklet to remind me what I need. I would absolutely recommend it, it is just so worth it for anyone who is looking to start their own skincare business I would say, go for it, it will be so worth it and you will love it!
It was amazing and I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to start their own skin care business.
Before I purchased this course, I was enthusiastic, but I wasn't confident that I knew and really understood 'everything' related to starting my own SKINCARE business. I wanted to start this endeavour feeling as confident as possible about things.
The course was nicely presented and easy to read. I so appreciated the contact links for other aligned Facebook pages and groups. I appreciated the extra tools: templates, worked examples and downloads also. I will refer back to them as needed.
Now, I feel happier about my decision, and certainly more confident about things.
I'd absolutely recommend it! Jennifer's course walked me through all that I need to get my business going with confidence, here in Australia. She provides additional resources which are valuable and so helpful, also.
If you are feeling uncertain about where to begin or how to do things the right way, this course will give you all that you need to move forward...and more!
Thanks for your expertise, Jennifer Rudd! :-)
Please consider putting together something for those of us wishing to additionally sell our products in the overseas market.
I had done the Lady Startup course but needed more info specific to skincare.
The course was so helpful and positive.
I would recommend doing this course even if you've done other courses, as this one is specific to skincare.
Thanks Jennifer for all your help.
You offer an amazing course and a lot of extra help.
I felt extremely apprehensive about all the legalities of starting my own skincare business, and found it very tricky finding the relevant info myself which was why I purchased this course.
I loved the course as it had all the information I needed to consider before jumping in and starting my business. It saved me hours upon hours of my own research and the info was simplified and clear.
I have since started my business and I can see how many little mistakes and time this course has saved me.
I would absolutely recommend this course to others who are thinking about taking the plunge and starting their own business. For such a small fee, it allowed me to be better prepared and equipped to take on this new chapter and challenge in my life. Think of this as a fantastic investment in your business! It certainly saved me time and money in the long run.
For those of you just starting out in selling your natural skincare, do yourself a huge favour and purchase the Skincare Business Foundations course.
I cannot highly recommend this course enough and it is worth much more than what I paid for it.
I literally bought it yesterday and am going through the 2nd module already.
I'm kicking myself for not getting onto this course earlier as it would have saved me SO much time!!
Jennifer THANK YOU for creating this.
It's the bomb and already is answering so many of my questions xx
Hi, I'm Jennifer. I remember the early days of starting my own skincare business, Wild Leaf Botanicals, back in 2015. Hours of researching. Hours of reading. There were a lot of unknowns and there were things that had to be figured out “the hard way”, when all I really wanted to do was spend time on creating the perfect products.
There were times I wished I could turn to someone who’d been there too, or had access to a one-stop-shop to help me easily navigate all the legislation and ins-and-outs of starting my natural skincare business.
This is ultimately why I created the Skincare Business Foundations course.
Because it is the go-to course I wish I had when I began my natural skincare business journey.
With degrees in Business and Psychology and 10 years+ corporate experience in risk management, auditing and compliance, I now combine my business know-how with my passion for natural skincare and the industry knowledge gained since starting my own brand.
Serving as a mentor and guide to other skincare business owners, there is nothing I find more rewarding than providing support and resources to help them succeed. Especially when it comes to educating them about the laws and regulations that apply when running a skincare business (confession: I’m a total compliance nerd and love reading and interpreting legislation).
Through my active online community, Natural Skincare Makers Australia, I bring together like-minded skincare business owners who collaboratively connect with and support each other every day. As a passionate advocate of the Australian natural skincare industry, I hope to inspire a movement where locally-made natural skincare products are more widely celebrated.
Have a question about the course?
Contact me - I'd love to hear from you.
Sign up now to receive instant access.
Your first step on the path to skincare business success.
$497
To pay in 2 x fortnightly installments of $290 (total $580), please contact me.
I can't wait to meet you inside.
