Following our recent Export Action Plan showcase at GTR UK, we spoke to each of our competition finalists about their plans for export success.
Company name: Stripped Skincare
Website: https://www.strippedskincare.co.uk/
Representative: Sinead Hughes
What does your company do at the moment and what’s next?
Stripped Skincare is a double-award winning skincare brand creating natural skincare solutions.
Using only 100% natural oils and butters, we are committed to stripped back, natural and effective British Beauty.
Stripped started from a personal search for natural products that could help with adult acne.
The name tells you what you need to know.
We are dedicated to 100% natural skincare.
We have just been shortlisted for 2 more beauty awards, and this year we have plans to freshen up the brand with new labels and we want to introduce a few new products to our range.
How are the exports going?
At the moment we sell through our own website and to a small handful of market traders. These are all UK based and the majority of our website sales are in the UK too.
Next on our agenda is to hit the Irish market and we are looking to expand into the USA and Canada. We’re not currently exporting but it’s what we are looking to do next, so hopefully early next year we can get out to the Indie Beauty Trade Show in the USA to see if we can pique the interest if some retailers.
How has the Export Action Plan helped with your exports?
The Export Action Plan has helped us narrow down and strategise our next move. It has helped us determine whether the overseas markets we had in mind were right for us, and what we need to do to get there, step by step.
How have you found the experience of the final today?
We loved the experience of the final. Although it was the first time we had ever done anything like this, and we were nervous, we got the chance to show our passion for our brand and explain, with confidence, our next move and why we want to do it. It’s a fantastic experience and I would recommend it to everyone.
What tips would you give to other new exporters?
Do your research and use all the free expertise out there – as there are loads! Really connect with other businesses who have been there to gain advice and work out your potential pitfalls. Go to as many networking events are possible and take part in events like Open to Export. The more you know, the less risks there will be and the bigger the chance of success.
About Stripped Skincare
Stripped Skincare is a double-award winning skincare brand creating natural skincare solutions.
Using only 100% natural oils and butters, we are committed to stripped back, natural and effective British Beauty.
Stripped started from a personal search for natural products that could help with adult acne.
Our founder Sinead, who suffered from severe adult acne for many years, wanted to create a skincare range that would nourish, balance and heal blemished skin without using powerful synthetics and potentially damaging chemicals.
After becoming frustrated with false claims and the lack of transparency in the market, Sinead wanted to know exactly what was in her products and why, so studied for a diploma in natural skincare formulation and starting to make her own products.
After phenomenal results with her own skin, and sharing the products with friends who loved it too, she decided to launch the brand to try and help others with acne, or those looking for 100% natural, vegan skincare. And so Stripped was born.
The name tells you what you need to know.
We are dedicated to 100% natural skincare.
We will never use chemicals, preservatives or synthetic ingredients where they are not absolutely necessary, and if we do have to use something other than the usual natural oils, we will clearly and honestly tell you what they are and why they are there. Otherwise, we are open and honest with you about every single ingredient (and you can understand our ingredients labels!).
We will never use any ingredients that have been tested on animals.
We work incredibly closely with Bolton-both illustrator Dom & Ink. His designs are so beautiful and unique and that was important to us. Historically, natural beauty packaging was very busy and boring, so we wanted something customers would be proud to display in their bathroom!
