#81 Pai Skincare: Building Success Slowly, Ethically, and On Your Own Terms | Sarah Brown

To win the giveaway: fill in this survey - https://form.typeform.com/to/Tyq9H0gd - subscribe and follow the show, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Do skincare businesses need to be more deliberate and thoughtful? These days, the desire for flawless, untextured, dewy skin has brought in a wave of skincare products which supposedly help you achieve it. But are these businesses prioritising speed over substance? Today’s guest shows that doing something slowly and authentically - rather than what everyone else is doing - can produce the best results. If you want a glimpse into the success story of a business that is a force for good in the world, or if, like me, you’ve got a passion for skincare, you don’t want to miss this episode! Timestamps: 00:00 - How Did Pai Skincare Start? 01:32 - Being Diagnosed with Chronic Urticaria 03:11 - Navigating the Beauty Abyss: A Sensitive Skin Journey 06:43 - Limited Options for Sensitive Skin 08:37 - Skincare for the Sensitive Customer: Pai Skincare's Vision 10:09 - 3 Years of Urticaria Flare-Ups and No Improvement 11:19 - Entrepreneurial Spirit: From Selling Crosswords in School to the Wine Industry 13:06 - The Final Flare-Up: A Turning Point in Sarah's Career 14:29 - Noticing Patterns and Making Lifestyle Changes 18:04 - Which Skincare Ingredients Made Her Skin Worse? 19:35 - Common Skincare Ingredients you Should Avoid 23:11 - Pai Skincare Formulas: Thoughtful Ingredients for Sensitive Skin 25:32 - Maintaining Control over Manufacturing 29:47 - Staying True to Your Values: The Heart of Pai Skincare 35:52 - The Lowest Low: Nearly Losing Her Eyesight 38:56 - Pai Skincare's Pivotal Moment: Natalie Portman's Seal of Approval 45:08 - Personal Qualities and Business Growth: Sarah's Journey 46:03 - Fundraising Insights: From Bank Debt to Angel Investors 56:21 - Business During COVID: Challenges and Contributions 59:54 - How Pai Skincare Made a Difference During Covid by Making Hand Sanitizer 01:06:39 - Ethical Pricing: Navigating Tough Choices During Crisis 01:10:17 - Personal Growth: Resilience and Problem-Solving 01:15:15 - How to Stay Focused 01:20:14 - Skincare Tips 01:26:43 - The Importance of Sleep for Healthy Skin 01:30:13 - Gut Health and Skin: Understanding the Connection Meet Sarah Brown, the Founder of Pai Skincare. She founded it in 2007 as a solution to her own skin allergies. Having suffered with Chronic Urticaria since age 25, she felt let down by products claiming to be “hypoallergenic” and “organic”, when all they did was irritate her skin further. Pai offers certified organic products, now revered by those seeking skin confidence after trying numerous alternatives. With an ingredient policy focused on transparency, Pai helps its global following of sensitive souls navigate the tricky world of skincare. The brand, which started in a garage in West London now exports to over 50 countries. All Pai products, endorsed by A-list celebrities like Natalie Portman, are crafted in-house by London-based organic cosmetic specialists. Sarah Brown: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-brown-3616113 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paiskincare_sarah/ Brand Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paiskincare/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@paiskincare?lang=en X: https://twitter.com/PaiSkincare Website: https://www.paiskincare.com/ Follow Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky HVO Search: https://www.hvosearch.com Contact: [email protected] Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com/ Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.