We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eliane Treadwell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Eliane, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I recently decided to change the structure of my business and how I operate. I knew these changes would impact some of my clients. One of my many changes was to no longer offer manufacturing services. My goal, since I started my company, has been to help small businesses develop and own their own formulas. I knew that manufacturing is one of the biggest challenges that most small businesses face. Many manufacturing companies require large quantities and most small businesses can’t afford the cost of that. I wanted to help my clients not only formulate but launch their products. However, I began to tally up the cost manufacturing took on my business and my time and I had to make a hard decision to no longer offer that service. Some clients responded well, others did not. It was a huge risk because it meant that I would potentially lose clients or not be able to gain new ones. However, it turned out to be the best decision I’d ever made. I have been able to focus my time and energy on product development, excellent customer service, and ingredient sourcing. My business grew exponentially as a direct result of that decision.

Eliane, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Eliane Treadwell and I am the lead chemist and owner of Relevant Laboratories. It is a research and development lab that consults and formulate personal care products. I’ve been a chemist for over a decade and helping small business owners go from idea to product has been my joy. Our specialty is skin and hair care products. My company strives to deliver not only excellent products but an excellent experience as well. Product development can be challenging and finding the right chemist who believes in your product idea as much as you is vitally important. So, when a brand chooses to work with me I am honored because this is one of the most important steps the company will take.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Word of mouth and Instagram. People love that I take them in the lab with me as I formulate products. I’m not that entertaining. However, viewers love a behind-the-scenes view of product development.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first launched my first company, Relevant Cosmetics, I was working out of a lab space that I was renting. The landlord foreclosed on the property without giving any advance notice. I had to halt my business until I found another space. I was devastated. My business had started to take off and before it could grow its wings this situation happened. As I was looking for another space, the pandemic helped and shut everything down so I had no choice but to close my business down until further notice. During that time I went back to school, got my esthetics license, and open a studio space that doubled as a lab space. I was then able to formulate products for my clients and offer custom skincare treatments all under one roof. That pivot closed my business down for two years, but during those years I was able to take some time to think through my goals, gain a skill, and propel my business forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: relevantlaboratories.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/yourfavchemist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eliane.treadwell
• Twitter: twitter.com/yourfavchemist