E 708: Scaling Your Beauty Brand: Demand Planning, Retail Strategy & Smart Operations

In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Gilbert, a beauty industry expert who has worked behind the scenes at powerhouse brands like Glossier and The Lip Bar. Ashley takes us through the operational side of beauty, sharing how brands successfully scale—from warehouse moves to demand planning to ensuring products are retail-ready. We break down: - The role of operations in beauty brand growth - How demand planning shapes product innovation and inventory decisions - The difference between DTC vs. retail-first strategies - The importance of custom vs. stock packaging—and when it's worth the investment - How brands can use collaborations and limited editions to build loyalty and drive sales Ashley shares a wealth of insights on how beauty brands can navigate the complexities of launching, scaling, and optimizing their business. If you're a beauty entrepreneur, CPG founder, or retail professional, this episode is packed with tactical strategies to help you scale smarter and more profitably. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform! Links: 📌 Connect with Ashley Gilbert on LinkedIn 🔗 Monique Benoit on Instagram🔗 Monique Benoit on LinkedIn🔗 Scaling Emerging Beauty on Instagram🔗 Scaling Emerging Beauty Website 🚀 Subscribe to Scaling Emerging Beauty for expert tips on growing your beauty brand!