Within the fast-paced world of magnificence and skincare, longevity is uncommon. But OSEA Malibu, a model that gives seaweed-based skincare merchandise, based in 1996, has not solely survived however thrived for practically three many years. CEO Melissa Palmer, daughter of firm founder Jenefer Palmer, has steered the model from its humble beginnings in Malibu, California, into a world presence. Right now, along with its on-line Shopify retailer, the model is offered by main retailers like Ulta and Nordstrom, and in 1000’s of spas worldwide.
Melissa has discovered through the years what it takes to create a enterprise mannequin and advertising and marketing plan with endurance. Let’s dive into the important thing classes from OSEA’s 28-year journey.
5 steps to making a advertising and marketing plan that may maintain development for many years
1. Begin with a powerful basis
The primary motive for OSEA’s enduring success is easy: “With out [a great product], I don’t suppose something would have been doable, as a result of we’ve continued to ship on our dedication to our customers of getting a fantastic product and doing what we are saying we’re gonna do,” Melissa says.
This concentrate on product high quality has been central to OSEA’s advertising and marketing technique since its inception. Melissa’s mom, Jenefer, knew, “if we constructed a fantastic product, individuals would come again.” A superior providing will be your finest advertising and marketing software. This philosophy has paid dividends, permitting OSEA to construct a loyal buyer base and broaden into new markets over time.
2. Embrace digital transformation
Whereas OSEA’s roots are in conventional retail and spa partnerships, Melissa acknowledged the potential of ecommerce early on. In 2015, after scaling a direct-to-consumer Hula-Hooping model, Melissa used the talents she honed with digital advertising and marketing and net design to construct OSEA’s on-line presence. Her digital expertise shifted the enterprise from a primarily wholesale mannequin to a thriving direct-to-consumer platform.
“We simply tried all the pieces that was happening on the time in digital advertising and marketing,” Melissa recollects. This experimentation led to a major shift within the firm’s enterprise mannequin, from 99% wholesale to a thriving direct-to-consumer platform on its Shopify-powered web site, exhibiting how necessary it’s to remain open to new media channels and alternatives to experiment and get inventive.
3. Construct a novel influencer technique
When manufacturers began working with Instagram and TikTok influencers, OSEA determined to hunt out content material creators who aligned with its model values. This meant eschewing the anticipated magnificence influencers and as an alternative partnering with nutritionists and healthy-living influencers.
“We went for non-typical content material creators,” Melissa explains. “In 2016, you didn’t see numerous nutritionists posting about what skincare merchandise they have been utilizing.” This technique allowed OSEA to faucet into area of interest communities like nurses, flight attendants, and health-conscious customers.
Melissa advises others to look past apparent influencer selections. Search out companions whose values align along with your model, even when they’re not in your actual trade. Certainly one of OSEA’s most profitable partnerships is with @fullyrawkristina, a way of life influencer primarily based in Kauai who follows a uncooked meals weight-reduction plan. Regardless of not being a typical magnificence influencer, Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram has turn into a robust advocate for the model.
4. Create memorable moments and a novel worth proposition
When you possibly can, search for distinctive methods to inform your model story by means of promotions in addition to particular reductions different companies can’t run. OSEA creates traditions clients can look ahead to. Its Leap 12 months sale is an instance of how inventive advertising and marketing resonates with clients. By providing 1996 pricing each 4 years throughout all its gross sales channels, OSEA creates buzz and reinforces its model historical past.
“We thought, OK, we’ll simply as soon as do 20% off. After which we realized, wait, it is a bissextile year. And we simply had this actually humorous thought to leap again to 1996 like pricing,” Melissa explains. This marketing campaign, which celebrates the model’s launch 12 months, has grown from a small occasion in 2016 to a significant gross sales driver in 2024, activating throughout a number of channels together with e mail, affiliate marketing online, social media, and paid search.
5. Proceed to remain curious
Regardless of OSEA’s success, Melissa emphasizes the significance of ongoing development and studying. She’s participated in entrepreneur teams like Vistage and YPO, continually in search of new views to adapt to the altering wants of a rising firm.
“I feel I simply frequently come again to my core commitments, which is doing my finest and dealing to grasp that I’m doing my finest for the place we’re proper now,” Melissa displays. This dedication to studying extends to staying hands-on in numerous elements of the enterprise, even past advertising and marketing.
Constructing a model that lasts requires greater than a fantastic product. It calls for a dedication to high quality and a willingness to adapt with a purpose to maintain development. By following these ideas, OSEA Malibu not solely has survived however thrived for practically three many years within the aggressive magnificence trade.
Tune in to the total Shopify Masters episode to listen to a few of Melissa’s trials and errors when it got here to scaling the enterprise.