Aggie sits down with Dorota Wallace, founder of Berry Blonde Spa, to explore how she transformed an $800 rented room into one of Manhattan’s most trusted luxury anti-aging spas—with zero outside funding and no paid ads. Dorota opens up about the failures that fueled her future, the mindset shifts that freed her from being a slave to her schedule, and her unapologetically intentional approach to client care and treatment selection. From her 75% conversion rate using Groupon (yes, really!) to why she believes nurses are the future of the spa industry, Dorota delivers a masterclass in scaling with integrity, grit, and genuine connection. If you’re a beauty brand founder looking to break into the spa market—or craving a reminder that doing business your way can work—this one’s for you.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Betting on Herself & Starting from Scratch
• 00:01:02 - Meet Dorota Wallace: From Nursing to NYC Spa Royalty
• 00:02:06 - Corporate Burnout to Spa Breakthrough
• 00:04:01 - What a Failed Partnership Taught Her About Business
• 00:08:34 - Groupon Goldmine: How She Converted 75% of Clients
• 00:12:45 - Building a Spa That Feels Like a Five-Star Hotel
• 00:20:12 - Her No-Fluff Approach to Skincare Protocols
• 00:21:42 - The Real ROI of Relationship-First Business
• 00:23:33 - How to Turn First-Time Clients Into Lifelong Fans
• 00:27:04 - From Burned Out to CEO: Her Biggest Mindset Shift
• 00:31:36 - Trendspotting & Why She Won’t Sell Just Anything
• 00:39:19 - Real Talk: What It Takes to Thrive in the Spa Industry
• 00:40:51 - What’s Next for Berry Blonde Spa?

Links and Resources:

• 👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
• https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
• 👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram
• Berry Blonde Spa Website
• Dorota Wallace on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Beauty and the Brand? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

What happens when a former punk band manager turned salon owner decides to rewrite the rules of salon retail? You get Gloria Edge—founder of SITCH Haircare and Edge Academy. In this episode, Gloria shares how she scaled her salon from two to twelve chairs during a recession, why clean beauty often falls short for pros, and how she and her husband Anthony spent over a decade developing a haircare and styling line that hairdressers actually trust. Her brand journey took a major leap during her time in the Conventional to Cult Status (C2C) Accelerator, where she refined her brand positioning, built a community-led launch plan, and aligned her mission with her market. With no final packaging, no product shots, and no paid ads, Gloria generated powerful momentum by simply sharing her journey offline—with stylists, students, and salons. The result? Two sold-out production runs of a haircare line that the community had already claimed as their own. If you’re looking to build not just a product, but a movement—this conversation is your blueprint.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Why Consistency Still Wins in 2025
• 00:00:53 - Welcome to Beauty and the Brand
• 00:00:57 - Meet Gloria Edge: Punk Bands, Salons & Disruption
• 00:02:03 - From Behind the Chair to Building a Brand
• 00:03:50 - Spotting the Broken Gaps in Salon Retail
• 00:05:08 - Growing a Salon in a Recession (And Thriving)
• 00:06:21 - How Personalized Picks Create Raving Clients
• 00:08:04 - The Pre-Launch Playbook That Sparked a Sellout
• 00:10:04 - Launching a Refillable Line Without a Single Ad
• 00:15:50 - Turning Grassroots Hype Into Lasting Momentum
• 00:23:32 - Scaling Through Connection, Not Campaigns
• 00:26:41 - When 50 Salons Isn’t Enough
• 00:27:57 - The Relationship-First Approach to Brand Growth
• 00:28:27 - Giving Hairdressers the Tools to Thrive
• 00:30:03 - Bootcamps That Actually Move the Needle
• 00:32:26 - The Email Tweak That Boosted Conversions
• 00:35:02 - Becoming a B Corp (And Why It Matters)
• 00:41:09 - Real Talk: Why Community is Everything
• 00:49:25 - What’s Next for SITCH and Edge Academy
• 00:51:47 - Final Words on Building With Heart

Links and Resources:

• 👉Take our 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only $17! -
• https://abcreativenyc.com/signup
• 👉 Scale from 0 to 7 figures without spinning your wheels with the Beauty Brand Roadmap: https://abcreativenyc.com/the-beauty-brand-roadmap
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram
• SITCH Haircare Website
• Edge Academy Website
• Gloaria on LinkedIn: Gloria Edge

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Beauty and the Brand? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on

What if the secret to an iconic beauty brand lies in a Reddit post, a few failed experiments, and a relentless drive to serve a community?

In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, Aggie sits down with Austin Beals, co-founder and CEO of Dermazen, a DTC skincare brand born out of a decade-long battle with seborrheic dermatitis. Austin shares how his personal skin struggles led to a breakthrough product, and how that formula—originally posted for free online—sparked a movement and a business now on the cusp of 8-figure growth. You’ll learn how Austin used customer feedback loops, educational marketing, and biofilm-busting skincare science to build a loyal base of raving fans (without big ad budgets or fancy labs). Whether you're DIY-ing your first formula or dreaming of becoming a category leader, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways for founders ready to grow with intention, impact, and innovation.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - When Ads Actually Work: The Power of Raw, Real Moments
• 00:01:22 - Meet Austin Beals: From Digital Marketer to Dermazen CEO
• 00:02:30 - 10 Years of Flare-Ups: My Battle With Seborrheic Dermatitis
• 00:05:23 - A Kitchen Breakthrough: The Formula That Finally Worked
• 00:18:39 - How a Skin Crisis Sparked the Dermazen Mission
• 00:25:54 - From Free Samples to a Fast-Growing Brand
• 00:32:54 - Why You Need 30+ Versions of the Same Ad
• 00:34:46 - Emails That Convert: Dermazen’s Retention Engine
• 00:35:45 - Trust First, Revenue Follows: Our Customer Philosophy
• 00:37:46 - Vulnerability Converts: What We’ve Learned About Authentic Ads
• 00:43:17 - Speak to Their Pain: Messaging That Builds Movements
• 00:47:45 - Scaling Without Compromise: The Growth Journey
• 00:53:05 - The Product That Took 20 Iterations to Get Right
• 01:02:29 - What’s Next: Partnerships, Products, and Serving More People
• 01:04:59 - Final Words for Founders: Start Messy, Stay Focused

Links and Resources:

• 5 Days to Growing Our Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge for only 17$
• Website
• Austin on LinkedIn
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Beauty and the Brand? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

What does it really take to skyrocket your beauty brand’s wholesale growth in just a few months?

In today’s Hot Seat episode, Aggie sits down with Tuna Ziver Yoney, founder of Ziver Organiques, to unpack how he grew his sustainable skincare brand by 260%, landed 70 new retail partners, and transitioned from Etsy side hustle to full-time founder — all in just four months! Tuna gets real about the behind-the-scenes strategies that made it happen: refining his niche, optimizing his wholesale process, and harnessing the power of upcycled ingredients. Plus, you’ll hear Aggie workshop live with Tuna on how to further scale his retailer partnerships for even bigger success. If you’re ready to turn one-time orders into repeat customers (and boost your bottom line!), you won't want to miss this one.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - A New Chapter: From Finance to Beauty
• 00:01:29 - Welcome to Beauty and the Brand
• 00:01:33 - Meet Tuna: Purpose-Driven Skincare Innovator
• 00:03:15 - How Ziver Organiques Was Born
• 00:05:10 - Breaking Barriers: Challenges That Sparked Innovation
• 00:08:20 - Cracking the Code: Wholesale Growth Secrets
• 00:12:44 - Mastering the Art of Wholesale Accounts
• 00:21:18 - Retailer Relationships That Fuel Brand Expansion
• 00:39:30 - Lessons Learned: Growth, Grit, and Going Full-Time

Links and Resources:

• Ziver Organiques
• Tuna on LinkedIn
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Beauty and the Brand? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

What if your retail strategy didn’t just drive sales—but told your brand story so well that your products flew off shelves?

In this powerful episode, Aggie sits down with Susannah Dellinger, the powerhouse behind Bright Beauty Collective. What started as casual conversations on Clubhouse became a booming multi-seven-figure business connecting mission-driven beauty brands with high-converting retail field teams. From partnering with indie darlings like RMS Beauty to selling out a single mascara across Credo stores in 48 hours, Susannah reveals how storytelling is the secret sauce behind retail success.

Expect real talk on the journey from solo consultant to CEO, the moment she pivoted her business model for scale, and how she’s using beauty as a force for good. If you’ve ever wondered how to go from indie brand to retail star—this episode’s your blueprint.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Kicking Things Off: Meet the Woman Behind the Mission
• 00:01:05 - From Theater Major to Beauty CEO: Susannah's Wild Pivot
• 00:02:02 - A Personal Beauty Journey Rooted in Healing and Identity
• 00:04:09 - What “Impact Beauty” Really Means (And Why It Matters Now)
• 00:05:41 - The Accidental Birth of a National Beauty Agency
• 00:08:59 - Scaling Fast: From One Freelancer to a National Team
• 00:12:43 - The Mascara That Sold Out in 48 Hours (Yes, Really)
• 00:22:43 - What Every New Brand Must Know Before Pitching Retail
• 00:24:18 - How to Build Relationships That Get You In Stores
• 00:24:52 - Understanding KPIs and The Halo Effect in Retail
• 00:26:10 - What to Budget (and What to Skip) in Your Next Launch
• 00:26:52 - How to Work With Buyers (Without Getting Ghosted)
• 00:27:21 - Launch Timing: Why When You Drop Matters More Than You Think
• 00:29:32 - What Retail Longevity Looks Like (Beyond the Hype)
• 00:31:00 - Activating Community: The Power of Hyperlocal Events
• 00:33:19 - Why the Future of Field Teams is Female (and Strategic)
• 00:37:02 - Susannah Gets Real About Burnout, Boundaries & Bounce-Backs
• 00:40:56 - How Retail is Evolving—And What That Means for Indie Brands
• 00:47:47 - Wrapping Up + Where to Connect With Susannah

Links and Resources:

• Bright Beauty Collective
• Susannah Dellinger on LinkedIn
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Beauty and the Brand? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Aggie sits down with Ally Lei, founder of Augustnoa, a fashion-forward, function-first backpack brand that’s redefining what it means to carry with confidence. From losing a five-figure deposit to going viral on TikTok, Ally gets real about launching a physical product during the pandemic with no plan—just grit, optimism, and a vision. Listeners will hear how she bootstrapped her way to multi-six-figure success, landed national press and retail deals, and built an obsessed customer base by staying true to her values of sustainability, intentional design, and quality. Packed with insights on manufacturing, content marketing, founder storytelling, and customer experience—this episode is an unmissable masterclass for product-based entrepreneurs.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Why Waiting Kills Momentum
• 00:00:58 - Meet Ally Lei: The Bag Visionary
• 00:02:18 - “How Hard Can It Be?” (Very.)
• 00:04:08 - Betting on a Dream Mid-Pandemic
• 00:08:08 - When TikTok Changed Everything
• 00:15:31 - The Bag That Does It All
• 00:17:24 - Losing Thousands, Finding the One
• 00:24:43 - Funding It Herself—Every Step Counts
• 00:26:59 - Sustainability Isn’t Cheap (Or Easy)
• 00:29:30 - When Big Brands Start Copying You
• 00:30:48 - Emails from Customers that Hit Deep
• 00:32:24 - Redefining “Just Another Backpack”
• 00:37:02 - Content, Community, and Going Viral
• 00:40:03 - Landing Bloomingdale’s and What’s Next
• 00:45:40 - Celebs, Influencers, and Organic Wins
• 00:49:21 - Cry, Pivot, Repeat: The Founder Life
• 00:52:57 - Her No-BS Advice to Every Founder

Links and Resources:

• Ally on LinkedIn
• Augustnoa
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Beauty and the Brand? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Aggie Burnett sits down with Dimitra Davidson, co-founder of Indeed Labs and visionary behind FIN, the world’s first microbiome-certified acne brand. From her unexpected leap from finance to skincare, to bootstrapping into 2,500+ mass retailers and raising capital the right way—Dimitra breaks down what it takes to lead through innovation and build a product that truly solves a problem. If you’re a beauty brand founder navigating retail, funding, or product development, this episode is your roadmap.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Welcome + The Power Behind Purpose
• 00:01:17 - Meet Dimitra Davidson: Breaking the Beauty Mold
• 00:02:06 - From Stocks to Skincare: A Bold Career Pivot
• 00:05:24 - What Actually Drives a Thriving Brand
• 00:07:14 - Risk, Reward, and Resilience in Entrepreneurship
• 00:10:27 - The Birth of Indeed Labs: Disruption Starts Here
• 00:17:40 - Acne, Reimagined: The Science Behind FIN
• 00:23:33 - Building a Brand That Stands for Something
• 00:25:22 - How Nano Blur Took the Internet by Storm
• 00:25:37 - Real Talk: Early Mistakes and Strategic Pivots
• 00:26:11 - Marketing That Moves the Needle
• 00:28:19 - Best Sellers That Keep Selling
• 00:29:17 - Going Global: The Power of Boots UK
• 00:30:32 - Retail Success Without Selling Out
• 00:33:11 - Can AI Solve Skincare?
• 00:38:40 - Culture, Teamwork, and Scalable Leadership
• 00:40:36 - To the Next Gen: A Message to Women Founders
• 00:47:31 - Dimitra’s Favorites + Final Words of Wisdom

Links and Resources:

• Indeed Labs
• FIN Skin (Canada)
• FIN Skin (Global)
• Dimitra Davidson on LinkedIn
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Beauty and the Brand? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge

Aggie Burnett sits down with Sasha Fedunchak—founder of Daring Haus and Powerhaus Media—to unpack what it really takes to stand out in the saturated beauty space. From how Intoxicated Cosmetics achieved 726% growth in just four months to Sasha’s VEC² content framework that turns browsers into buyers, this episode is packed with tactical gems. You’ll learn how emotional storytelling, bold positioning, and community-driven content can skyrocket your brand’s impact—whether you’re bootstrapping or scaling into major retailers.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Why Most Beauty Brands Miss the Mark on Social
• 00:00:59 - Meet Sasha: The No-Fluff Influence Expert
• 00:01:45 - From Anthropology to Beauty Branding Queen
• 00:04:17 - Leaving Corporate to Build a 6-Figure Spray Tan Brand
• 00:07:05 - The Pivot That Sparked a Beauty Empire
• 00:07:28 - Your Superpower? Deep Customer Connection
• 00:08:58 - The Real Secret to Standing Out in Beauty
• 00:10:18 - Influence 101: How to Make People Say Yes
• 00:15:04 - 726% Sales Growth: The Intoxicated Cosmetics Case Study
• 00:24:01 - Messaging That Makes Customers Obsess Over You
• 00:25:06 - One Testimonial = $7K? How Social Proof Sells
• 00:26:39 - The Fatal Mistake Most Founders Make
• 00:27:18 - Want Raving Fans? Be Willing to Repel
• 00:33:01 - Budget Truths: Why Beautiful Brands Still Fail
• 00:37:00 - Organic Traffic That Actually Converts
• 00:43:40 - From Followers to Evangelists: Building True Community
• 00:46:03 - Final Takeaways + Where to Find Sasha

Links and Resources:

• Sasha on Linkedin
• Daring Haus and Powerhaus Media
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Beauty and the Brand? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand Challenge