Happ’s Sales Set to Double

One-time sportscaster Sara Happ left ESPN five years ago, trading commentary for cosmetics and she couldn’t be, well, happier. The Lip Scrub, a product she formulated from ingredients she found at Whole Foods, is primed for aggressive expansion starting in 2012. Until now, she’s turned down retailers (QVC and Sephora) and product extensions to concentrate on building a solid customer and retail base. During the first three years of operating her namesake brand, her line consisted of The Lip Scrub in six varieties, until introducing lip balm, The Lip Slip, in 2008.

But now, Happ plans at least four annual product launches in the pipeline and a vision to spread the assortment from lip to the entire body.

Happ’s plunge into body products is beginning this year with The Body Scrub, for $46, in a vanilla bean scent. The body product lineup will grow again next year with body cream, The Body Slip. A lip gloss, The Lip Slip One Luxe Gloss, is on the product docket for next year, as well.

This year, the brand’s revenues have been up 60%, and it’s on track to generate $3.5 million in sales. Next year, she projected sales could double with Sara Happ entering China. The brand is currently sold in 16 countries outside of Canada and the US, where it is in roughly 300 stores.