3. The Packaging Crisis, Part 2

Welcome back to Beauty Confidential: Conversations from the Lounge. This is Episode Three, Packaging Crisis, Part Two, featuring Michael Rentz. This episode is the sister conversation to our previous discussion, part 1 in episode 2, where we explored the global manufacturing perspective.  Today, we bring that conversation closer to home, focusing on U.S.-based operations and the real cost of change. Michael Rentz brings more than 17 years of supply chain and procurement experience across multiple industries, including beauty. Together, we unpack how global pressures like tariffs, freight volatility, and sourcing shifts impact domestic operations, timelines, margins, and scalability. We explore what onshoring and nearshoring really require beyond the headlines, the importance of supplier partnerships, realistic production timelines, and the hidden cost drivers brands often overlook. This conversation offers a grounded, behind-the-scenes look at how strong operations teams build resilience and future-proof supply chains. New episodes drop every 2 weeks.Subscribe so you never miss a conversation from the lounge. This episode is brought to you by Creative Solutions Consulting — a behind-the-scenes powerhouse dedicated to helping beauty brands bring thoughtful, high-performance products from concept to shelf. From packaging engineering and product development to supply chain strategy, compliance, and operational guidance, Creative Solutions Consulting partners with brands at every stage — launching, scaling, or rebranding — to build beautifully and intelligently.Learn more at https://creativesolutions-consulting.com/