We recently connected with Lauren Petriella and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Taking risks has been an integral part of my journey as an entrepreneur, and there’s one particular risk that stands out—the decision to expand Coco Babez’s product line and introduce a new range of facial skincare products.

At the time, Coco Babez was primarily known for our handcrafted sugar scrubs, which were well-received by our customers. However, I recognized an opportunity to address the growing demand for comprehensive facial skincare solutions. Despite the uncertainties that came with venturing into the facial skincare market, I believed in my vision and the potential to fill a gap in the industry.

This expansion required extensive research, product development, and significant investments in sourcing high-quality ingredients. There was a lingering fear of whether our customers would embrace this new direction and if the market would respond positively to our offerings. Nonetheless, I was determined to leverage our expertise in natural and organic ingredients to develop a line of facial products that would cater to various skin concerns.

The launch of our facial skincare line was met with both excitement and apprehension. I poured my heart and soul into promoting these products, educating our customers about their benefits, and building trust in our brand. It was a time of intense marketing efforts, brand building, and connecting with our community.

The results of this risk were truly rewarding. Our customers embraced the facial skincare line with enthusiasm, providing positive feedback and testimonials. Witnessing a growing community of individuals finding solace in our products not only expanded our customer base but also solidified our position as a trusted provider of natural skincare solutions.

Taking the risk to introduce the facial skincare line was a pivotal moment for me and Coco Babez. It allowed us to diversify our product range, cater to a wider audience, and establish ourselves as a natural beauty brand. This experience taught me the importance of taking calculated risks, believing in my vision, and continuously striving to meet the evolving needs of our customers.

Through this endeavor, I learned that embracing risks and stepping outside my comfort zone can lead to immense growth and open doors to new opportunities. It reinforced my commitment to innovation, quality, and maintaining a strong connection with our customers as we continue to push boundaries in the natural beauty industry.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As a passionate entrepreneur and advocate for natural beauty, I have always been driven by my personal journey and the desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Skin health and self-care have been particularly important to me.

I experienced bullying and teasing about my acne growing up, which had a significant impact on my self-esteem. My mom, in an effort to help, purchased harsh and unnatural products like Proactiv, which ended up causing more harm than good. It was until I got older and had my own children that I realized the importance of using gentle, natural products and developing a consistent skincare routine.

This personal experience and becoming a mother ignited a passion within me to educate and empower others about skincare and self-care. I wanted to create a brand that not only provided effective solutions but also fostered a community of support and knowledge. That’s how Coco Babez came to life.

At Coco Babez, we offer a range of all-natural and organic products that are carefully formulated to nourish and rejuvenate the skin. Our mission is not just about creating effective skincare products, but also about teaching others the importance of self-care and establishing a healthy skincare routine.

What sets Coco Babez apart is our commitment to quality, authenticity, and inclusivity. We prioritize using natural ingredients that are free from harmful chemicals, fragrances, and toxins. Our products are crafted to deliver effective results while being gentle and nourishing to the skin.

I am incredibly proud of the positive impact Coco Babez has had on individuals who have struggled with similar skin concerns or faced bullying due to their skin. Our customers have shared inspiring stories of restored confidence and improved skin health. It’s these transformative experiences that drive me to continue educating and supporting others on their skincare journey.

What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about Coco Babez is that we are more than just a skincare brand. We are a community that believes in the power of self-care, embracing natural beauty, and helping individuals build a healthy relationship with their skin. With Coco Babez, you’ll not only find effective products but also discover a brand dedicated to empowering and educating others.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been a combination of utilizing social media platforms, hosting pop-up shops, and participating in events. These approaches have allowed us to connect with a diverse range of individuals who are interested in natural beauty and skincare.

Social media has played a pivotal role in our growth by enabling us to reach a broader audience and engage with potential customers on a regular basis. Through strategic content creation, consistent posting, and targeted marketing campaigns, we have been able to build brand awareness, showcase our products, and connect with individuals who resonate with our mission.

Additionally, our participation in pop-up shops and events has been instrumental in forging personal connections with our customers. At these in-person interactions, we go beyond just selling products. We have a sign-up sheet available, so even if someone doesn’t make a purchase at the time, they can provide their contact information and continue to learn about our brand through email marketing. This allows us to nurture those relationships, provide valuable content, and keep them informed about our latest products, promotions, and educational resources.

By combining the power of social media to reach a wide audience, the personal touch of pop-up shops and events to foster connections, and the strategic use of email marketing to maintain engagement, we have been able to cultivate a loyal customer base and steadily grow our clientele. The sign-up sheet serves as a way to extend the conversation beyond the event, ensuring that interested individuals can stay connected with us and receive ongoing updates.

Continuing to leverage these strategies while exploring new avenues for customer acquisition will remain a key focus for us as we strive to bring the benefits of natural handmade beauty and skincare to even more individuals.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

At Coco Babez, we have chosen to sell our products both on our own website and on third-party platforms like Amazon and Etsy. Each option comes with its own set of pros and cons, and we have carefully considered these factors to make an informed decision.

Selling on our own website allows us to have complete control over the customer experience. We can design our website to reflect our brand identity, create a seamless shopping process, and tailor the customer journey to our specific vision. This level of control enables us to build a direct relationship with our customers, ensuring personalized communication, and providing a unique brand experience. Additionally, selling on our website gives us the flexibility to implement specific marketing strategies, loyalty programs, and promotions to engage and retain our customers.

On the other hand, utilizing platforms like Amazon and Etsy offers significant advantages as well. These platforms provide access to a wide customer base and offer built-in trust and credibility due to their established reputation. They have millions of active users actively searching for products, which can significantly boost our visibility and reach. Moreover, platforms like Amazon offer resources such as sponsored ads that allow us to amplify our presence and target a specific audience effectively. This exposure and name association can lead to increased brand recognition and customer trust.

However, it’s important to note that selling on third-party platforms comes with certain limitations and challenges. One major consideration is the fees associated with these platforms, which can impact profit margins. Additionally, these platforms often have specific guidelines and restrictions that need to be adhered to, such as product listing requirements, customer communication policies, and commission fees. While they provide an established infrastructure, the level of customization and control over the customer experience may be limited compared to selling on our own website.

By utilizing a combination of our website and third-party platforms, we aim to strike a balance between brand control, customer reach, and resource optimization. Our website allows us to provide a personalized experience and foster direct relationships, while platforms like Amazon and Etsy enable us to tap into a broader customer base and leverage their resources to enhance our visibility and growth.

We continuously evaluate our options and adjust our strategies to optimize our presence across different channels, ensuring that we can effectively reach and serve our customers while maintaining a sustainable and profitable business model.     

Contact Info:

• Website: cocobabez.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocobabezllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cocobabezllc/photos/

Image Credits
Lauren and Matthew Petriella. 6viewsmedia