We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Tracey Hicks-Kearse a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Dr. Tracey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
AcARRE® award-winning Founder, CEO, and Chief Chemist Dr. Tracey is an esteemed chemical engineer who has worked in product development and marketing for over eighteen years. While working for a skin and hair care company, Tracey was approached by a friend looking for a product that she could use on her scalp. At this time, Tracey’s sister also came forward requesting a high-quality multi-use product for her face and scalp. These inquiries planted the seed for Tracey to develop a product with multiple uses for skin and hair. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, the decision to begin her own company was a natural one, and soon AcARRE® Beauty was formed.
Shortly after starting AcARRE®, Tracey discovered she was expecting her first child. Becoming a mother, working full-time, and being a business owner, inspired Tracey to develop multi-use bioactive products made from natural ingredients for balance to the scalp and skin, for the beauty minimalist.
Creatively, she enjoys brainstorming on innovative ideas that have a direct impact on consumers and the influence that drives those changes. Taking her aspirations to another level allows her to pursue her passion every day.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have been in the beauty industry for 22 years as a chemical engineering and worked my way from a cosmetic chemist, and process engineer to a sought-after product developer all while achieving my MBA and Doctorate. I am the Founder of Ready to Launch created in 2017 which is a boutique product development agency that has worked with brands such as Topicals, Laura Mercier, Bare Minerals, Heat Free Hair and Peach n Lily create cult following products. AcARRE® is the first natural prestige innovative brand of multi-use bioactive treatment products for the beauty minimalist to age beautifully, based on modernized African and Pacific Islander ancestry elements delivering multi-level benefits, helping to bring balance the microbiome at the bacteria level, for healthy scalp and skin.
AcARRE® Beauty was created in 2018 on the foundation of utilizing marine and plant biodiversity to create innovative multi-use bioactive treatment products that bring balance to the microbiome for healthy scalp and skin. AcARRE® is inspired by African and Pacific Islander ancestry using natural ingredients crafted for superior multi-use products that work in sync with the skin’s natural elements.
Developing products with the consumer in mind has been the driving force behind AcARRE’s multi-use products. They are made in small batches with ethically sourced ingredients, ensuring that AcARRE® products not only surpass expectations in quality and made with integrity showing a genuine commitment to social, economic, and environmental appreciation. For every order of AcARRE a mangrove tree is planted in Kenya to give back to the ecosystem.
I am most proud of AcARRE’s increasing momentum in the spa and salon industry. Recently, Beauty Refresh multi use treatment powder won best sensitive skin product and Beauty Edit multi use treatment oil was a finalist for best dry skin product for Skin INC Readers’ Choice, the choice for serious spa professionals and owners.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
AcARRE® award-winning Founder, CEO, and Chief Chemist Dr. Tracey is an esteemed chemical engineer who has worked in product development and marketing for over 20 years. While working for a skin and hair care company, Tracey was approached by a friend looking for a product that she could use on her scalp. At this time, Tracey’s sister also came forward requesting a high-quality multi-use product for her face and scalp. These inquiries planted the seed for Tracey to develop a product with multiple uses for skin and hair. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, the decision to begin her own company was a natural one, and soon AcARRE® Beauty was formed.
Shortly after starting AcARRE®, Tracey discovered she was expecting her first child. Becoming a mother, working full-time, and being a business owner, inspired Tracey to develop multi-use bioactive products made from natural ingredients for balance to the scalp and skin, for the beauty minimalist.
Creatively, she enjoys brainstorming on innovative ideas that have a direct impact on consumers and the influence that drives those changes. Taking her aspirations to another level allows her to pursue her passion every day.
Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.
My journey into manufacturing my skincare line was both an exciting and challenging adventure, filled with lessons that have shaped my brand. When I first envisioned the products, my goal was to create something unique and beneficial, leveraging the power of natural ingredients to enhance the skin’s microbiome.
The Beginning: A Passion for Natural Beauty
My passion for natural beauty and wellness sparked the idea of creating a skincare line. I had a deep understanding of the benefits of natural ingredients and was not new to the world of manufacturing. However, I needed a manufacture with small minimums, so my first step was research—lots of it. I immersed myself in learning about the various contract manufacturers involved in skincare manufacturing.
I sought a manufacturer that shared our commitment to quality and sustainability plus low minimums. After evaluating several options, we found a partner renowned for their expertise in producing natural and organic skincare products. Their facility was equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and their commitment to ethical practices aligned perfectly with our values.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
1. Research is Key: Thorough research and understanding of the manufacturing process were vital. This ensured I could make informed decisions and communicate effectively with our partners.
2. Choosing the Right Partner: Finding a manufacturer that aligned with my brand’s values and quality standards was crucial. It’s not just about production capabilities; it’s also about shared vision and ethics.
3. Continuous Communication: Maintaining open lines of communication with the manufacturer helped address any challenges promptly and ensured our products met our high standards.
4. Quality Control: Implementing rigorous quality control checks at every stage of production was essential to maintain the integrity of our products.
5. Adaptability: The ability to adapt and respond to unexpected challenges was a crucial skill we developed. The journey taught us to be flexible and innovative in our approach.
Moving Forward
Today, AcARRE stands as a testament to dedication and perseverance. I’ve built a brand that not only focuses on enhancing natural beauty but also celebrates the power of the skin’s microbiome. The products are crafted with precision and care, ensuring each item meets the high standards our customers expect and deserve.
A Commitment to Excellence
As AcARRE continues to grow, we remain committed to the founding principles: quality, sustainability, and the power of natural ingredients. The journey of manufacturing our products has been rewarding and look forward to continually refining processes and expanding product offerings, always with our customers’ needs at the forefront.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.acarre.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acarrebeauty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acarrebeauty
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acarre/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@acarrebeauty
Image Credits
TopNuch