How To Build a Successful Natural Skincare Brand 

 

16 Weeks One to One VIP Mentoring Programme

Click here to book a free discovery call to find out if its right for you

IS THIS YOU?

  • You would love to be independent, to work for yourself, and to build a brilliant, natural skincare brand that is authentically 'you'.
  • You've been thinking about getting your own brand off the ground but would really like to learn how to do this from someone who has truly been there and done it.
  • Everybody loves your products or business idea. You are committed to making this work.
  • You have done your research and realise that there are a lot of legalities involved around making and selling soaps and toiletries?
  • You want to source the best equipment, ingredients and packaging at the right prices?
  • You require help to create a brilliant marketing and business plan and to learn how to cost your products?
  • You are struggling with gaining the confidence to go out and sell?
  • You are someone who likes to do things properly. The brand you build must be good enough to compete on the high street and internationally ?
  • You have a load of great ideas and creative talent and there is no way you intend to freeze your socks off trying to sell at local craft markets
  • You are in serious danger of becoming an eternal student.  You know you need to start implementing but you need help doing this.

The time has come to say 'YES' to 'YOU' and to really make this dream a reality.

BUILD THE BUSINESS OF YOUR DREAMS

In the last 25 years I built three, six figure businesses not all of which ended in smiles. I wrote 30, internationally published books, ran two retail knitwear shops, supplied products to prestige stores around the world and created, built and sold what became the largest hand made soap company in the UK.

I mentor numerous entrepreneurs who, from nothing have built high street brands (see testimonials below) and I have loved every minute of it.  Nothing lights me up more than taking a brand from an original idea right through to international distribution.

My own experience allows me to step back, look at the bigger picture and to define exactly what I did right and what I did wrong and I have come up with a step by step working practice that will help anyone who is serious about their own success, build a brilliant natural skincare business and to side step the banana skins I slipped on along the way.

IT'S 80% MINDSET

I understand exactly where you are now. When I started my first business I was a single parent of three with no formal education, no income and enough financial knowledge to believe that if your cheque book was empty it meant you had run out of money! My response was to come up with a simple but clever product idea, put on a smart suit and go visit my bank manager. The fact that he lent me the money I needed was entirely due to my passion for my product and my total belief in myself. My first business succeeded because I made myself very visible and was absolutely determined to 'go for it'. These are skills which come from getting clear on what you really, really want and gaining the confidence to go for it. What I now hear from people as lines of resistance ("I can't take the risk", "I don't know how to do that", "I don't have the money",) were in fact the very motivations that made me successful. I knew that if I didn't take the risk and if I didn't learn to do things properly, I would never live the life I wanted for myself.

What problems will this programme solve?

This programme will distance you from outdated and pre-conceived ideas and help you see the bigger picture. During the course of the 16 weeks you will learn a lot about yourself and understand how to play to your strengths. You will gain in depth knowledge on the market and when you leave me you will have a defined product range, clear branding and direction and all the knowledge you need to enable you to move forward to success.

What do you get for your money?

This programme will help you

  • Discover your strengths - When you play to your strengths you not only succeed but you will enjoy the journey.
  • Define your goals - When you know where you want to go and plan a path to get there you are already on the road to success.
  • Clear the route - Time management and delegation will allow you to operate at full capacity with total efficiency.
  • Build a Brilliantly Unique Brand - Learn how to make your brand speak for itself and directly to the people who will most appreciate it.
  • Have a perfectly defined range - Some products sell and some don't. Learn what is hot and what is not.
  • Be Legal - All you need to know about Product and labelling legal compliance and trading standards.
  • Find resources and equipment - You will be astounded how much time & money you can save by buying the right ingredients from the right people.
  • Let someone else make it for you - I will introduce you to contract manufacturers who can make your products leaving you free to build your brand.
  • Knowing what to charge - Costing correctly is key to your business success and is as much down to positioning as it is about margins.
  • Dressing up - Packaging should speak directly to your target market and should tell them what they want to hear. Learn how to choose the right dress and where the cool customer goes to buy it.
  • Find your route to market - Establishing a marketing plan that will work right now. Explore marketing concepts that will suit your lifestyle.
  • Learn to think strategically - You need a strategic plan for growth and for exit. These will help attract investors.
  • Ways to get everyone talking about your products - The right word in the right place and your products will easily find themselves on the 'must have' list.
  • Become a Super Star Sales Person - Sales tricks and buyer's agendas. Learn how to deliver what your customers really want from you.
  • Get Visible - Cool ideas to get you noticed.
  •  
Meeting Melinda in France was one of the best business decisions Robert and I have ever made! Our brainstorming session was truly transformational. We went to France knowing we have a solid idea somewhere, but with serious doubts as to whether we can ever make it into a sustainable operation. Getting out of our office and into the French countryside was exactly what we needed.
In the space of a few hours spent in a former convent, now cozy boutique hotel, we not only found a way out of a business dead end, but left with many solid actionable ideas and a newly found determination. Our investment in the trip paid off many
times over and Melinda’s guidance was (and still is) en pointe!
 
Hana Tisserand, the Tisserand Institute
 

Melinda has provided invaluable guidance to us in all areas of our business, from direction of the company to product design. We would not be where we are without her expert assistance. Thanks Melinda!

The Camel Soap Factory was the Gulf Capital SME Awards 2019 winner Products can be purchased in their web store or in branches of Dubai Al Jaber Gallery in Dubai and in other outlets worldwide

The Camel Milk Soap Factory - Dubai
Stevi Lowmass

Thank you for connecting like-minded women together.  You do so much more than just coaching & mentoring.  You help women build their confidence and
challenge us to dream bigger.  You help women find their path to achievement & success.  You are incredible, and I'm so grateful to have you as my coach.  You are
doing really amazing things for women... keep it up, because we need you.

Heather Urquhart
Hunaskin - Natural Apothecary

The Mentoring experience, pushed me to take actionable steps, manyof which I was not aware I needed to take.

I particularly needed the kick to finalise the main product formula and to complete, very painful steps needed to get ready for retail.  Melinda’s no nonsense style also resonated with my goals of getting the best product for the market out there.

I look forward to future coaching!

Henrietta Lampkin
Elsa's Kitchen

Melinda has a huge knowledge of the industry, and more importantly is able to strategically distill that wisdom into actionable insights.  Melinda personally supported me, challenging and encouraging me in equal measures allowing me to drive forward the business.  I can't recommend highly enough!

Olga Rumble
The Rose Tree

 

I came to Melinda with essentially an idea that I needed guidance on to turn into a real business and thats exactly what I got. Never having worked in the industry, nor having any contacts within it,  meant that I was operating in a little bubble. Melinda helped me to focus on my goals, define my brand and guided me in how to scale my business. Her vast experience, contacts and her overall energy for supporting small businesses has made the entire program priceless for me!

Gemini Metha 

Apothecary Essence

Working with Melinda helped me clarify my strategy, target customer and products through a series of actionable steps that set me on the right path to launching my business. Her approach is both creative and pragmatic, by asking thought provoking questions she instinctively knows when to challenge and when to support – this saved me from making mistakes which would have cost both time and money. The depth of experience Melinda has in all aspects of running a skincare business and the insight this brings is invaluable for anyone who is serious about building a brand.
 

Sue Campbell
Kind2

I know it's been only a month since we started this programme, but your knowledge/experience/guiding has helped me so much and makes me move, in what I strongly believe, is the right direction. At the same time, I'm starting to look beyond with a more open mind and this new 'mindset' should hopefully also broaden my opportunities for the future. I must admit that as a small business it was a big decision for me to spend so much on consultancy but somehow I knew this was going to be the best money  ever spent.

Marie-Armelle Tourniant
Savonnerie Badiane

 

The first step I took on my soap-making adventures was buying Melinda Coss "The Handmade Soap Book". I was hooked immediately... The next step was for me to fly over to London to attend a weekend of Melinda's workshops. It was the best investment I ever made.

Handmade soap may be purchased on their web store or in Ireland at House of Fraser, Avoca, Kilkenny, Carraig Donn and Harvey Nichols.

As featured in Irish Tatler, Farmers Journal - Country Living Magazine, The Gloss - The Irish Times Magazine, RTE Guide.....

Donagh Quigley
The Handmade Soap Company Ireland

 

In my research I found out about Melinda Coss and the workshops that she runs in France. I knew that if I was going to get a business off the ground then I was going to have to follow my heart. I said goodbye to my husband and two girls and with little more than an idea in my head, I booked a flight to France to meet Melinda. I had no idea what to expect, but I just knew I was doing the right thing. It turns out that it was the best decision that I ever made. I spent a week in Melinda's farmhouse learning how to make soaps, creams and lotions and Melinda and I talked about the concept of Maddi Alexander and how it could evolve. Every evening I would make hundreds of notes, jotting down thoughts and ideas and by the end of the week my red book was busting with inspiration and plans for the future. I can honestly say that the whole experience was fantastic. I learned so much invaluable information about ingredients, formulas, safety and labelling. Melinda has a wealth of knowledge and experience and her encouragement from the beginning has been inspiring.

Products may be purchased in their web store or in at Fortnum & Mason, The Lakes Distillery, The Private Clinic Fenwick York, Gleneagles Hotel...
 
As featured in Country Living, You Beauty and at the Winser London Fashion event

Analisa Ariss
Maddi Alexander 

At the beginning of our very first Skype session, Melinda said: "Nicole, why don't you launch your own line of grooming products for horses?" Horses have been my life-long passion and this idea was probably right before my eyes - I just did not see it. That's how my venture into being an independent business woman started. Melinda took me through all the necessary steps of product creation, branding, defining sales and social media strategies, cashflow and sales estimates, who to work with, defining my ideal customer and so much more. The regular skype calls kept me in check, made me realize what I had done and still to do and I knew that I had somebody by my side during my journey. If you are on your own, this is a life saver and absolutely invaluable. She reminded me to keep looking at the big picture and not to get lost too much in details. I found out what I really like to do and what work I'd rather delegate. I can recommend her 16-week-mentoring-program to anybody out there starting in the cosmetics industry. "I figure, if a girl wants to be legend, she should just go ahead and be one." - Calamity Jane

 
 

INVESTMENT AND BONUS

If you think you have what it takes and would like to work with me book your free Discovery session NOW and lets make this happen for you! The required Investment is£9,950 or 4 monthly payments of £2736.25, please note 4 monthly payments incur a 10% admin fee (Remember this is tax deductible)

Want to talk this through?

I only take on a very limited number of clients - those entrepreneurs whose projects I totally believe in and those who I really feel will be committed to success.  I will not take on clients in competitive niches and it is also important that we feel we will enjoy working together!

If you are interested in my programme lets start by getting to know each other via Skype.

Book your free half hour Skype session using the form below.

Look out for a response email from [email protected], if you don't hear back within 48hrs, please check your spam folder.

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