We recently connected with Nadia Badowski and have shared our conversation below.

Nadia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The idea for Koope was born out of a personal struggle. A few years prior, my skin erupted with painful, fiery and relentless welts that lasted nearly a year. It was confusing and humiliating, especially since I had used the same products for years without issue. Eventually, I was diagnosed with dermatitis and chronic urticaria, triggered by stress and allergens in my skincare. That cracked everything open for me.

I started reading every label, researching ingredients, only to discover that many “clean” products were still filled with irritants. Once I cut those out, my skin calmed down, but I was left with few options that were safe and effective. That’s when the idea for Koope took root, right in my English garden at the start of the pandemic.

I set out to create a brand grounded in transparency, simplicity, and purpose – products that work, without the fluff. But it had to be more than skincare – that’s where the art and charity programs came in – the heart of our brand. What started as a personal need turned into a deeper purpose. And that purpose still fuels everything we do today.

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?

While i’ve spent the last 20+ years across industries in different roles, making products, understanding markets, building brands and navigating the wild (and often beautiful) world of marketing and entrepreneurship, my story isn’t just about business. It’s about my journey figuring out who I am, what I care about, and how to create things that actually make people’s lives better. What is my purpose? How do I connect with people? How do I raise peoples energy and bring us together?

I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a founder, but I always liked building things. I’ve worked across many industries – engineering, hospitality, consulting, consumer goods, skincare and a lot in between. I’ve had to reinvent myself more than once in life and business. I’ve been the only woman in the room. I’ve had to start over in unfamiliar countries more than once. And before that, I survived a childhood no one should have to endure.

Those experiences gave me tools that I’m lucky to have, as they only come with grit. I’ve built from nothing in my life and in business. Literally, nothing. Just with this sense that if I didn’t do it for others, or for me, no one else would.

The common thread through my life and then in business has been purpose. I’ve always been drawn to brands and ideas that help people feel more connected – to themselves, to their bodies, to the planet. That’s what led me to create Koope, a brand that has all of my energy and love poured into it to share with people.

What am I most proud of? That empathy is at our brands core. I am not ashamed to say that love and kindness is the absolute most important ingredient in all that is life and business, otherwise, I am not interested. I’ve lived the chaos behind the scenes building a business, I’ve been the founder doing customer service at midnight, figuring out freight logistics at 5 a.m., and writing brand copy in the moments between. But I’ve also learned how to build culture, and how to trust my gut, always, and lead from the inside out.

At the end of the day, I want people to know that I’m building from a real place. I’m not here for flash – I’m here for depth. I care about what we create, how we create it, and why it matters. If something I create helps someone feel more seen or more themselves – that, to me, is success.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

For me, living with CPTSD and managing stress so I’m not operating from a place of survival, has been one of the most challenging, invisible parts of my journey.

I’ve had to unlearn the belief that I need to be “on” all the time to be effective, and I stopped glamorizing burnout. I’ve created systems to safeguard my peace, establish boundaries, and let go of unhealthy dynamics and people.

It’s not about avoiding discomfort – we need discomfort to grow – but about removing things that do not serve you in life or business. And by doing this, my work is more grounded, more honest, and far more impactful. I no longer create from urgency or fear – I create from clarity, intention, and a deep respect for my own energy.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

I’ve manufactured products both with an in-house team and by partnering with contract manufacturers (co-mans). Finding the right one is a bit like dating – lots of conversations, red flags, and, hopefully, a fit that just clicks.

It’s one of the most important decisions in bringing your product to life. You’re choosing a partner who not only need to understand your vision but also communicates clearly and can grow with you. That alignment is crucial.

You’re asking someone to bring something to life that exists only in your mind. If the relationship isn’t strong – if there’s tension, misalignment, or a lack of mutual respect, it will show up in the final product. You can feel it when something’s made with strain instead of intention.

As founders, we live months ahead in our heads – we’ve already visualized the product, the launch, the packaging. You need to give partners space to catch up. Be clear and firm, yes. You need to know when to push and when to step back. Balancing creative freedom with accountability. Trust takes time, and so does great work.

Your job as the founder is to hold the vision steady while creating an environment where your partners can do their best work. That means clear communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to course-correct together. If you get that balance right, the final product won’t just look good – it’ll feel like it was made with intention, which is exactly the kind of energy you want behind your product and brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nadiabadowski.com/
• Instagram: wearekoope, nadia.badowski
• Facebook: wearekoope, nadia.badowski
• Youtube: NadiaBadowski