Christine Esposito, Associate Editor09.03.19
Skylar, a clean fragrance brand that launched in 2017 using a direct-to-consumer model, has made the big leap into traditional brick and mortar with Sephora following the founder’s participation in the retailer’s coveted Accelerate program.
Company founder Cat Chen was tapped to participate in the 2018 Accelerate Program within Sephora Stands, a highly competitive global cohort that fosters the future of innovative female beauty entrepreneurs around the world. Chen’s brand is the only one from the 2018 group that was selected to be stocked both in store and online. The company’s range debuted online and has since moved into 200 storefronts across the US and Canada.
Chen, a former vice president at The Honest Company, spoke with Happi about this milestone for her upstart fragrance company, and what the future holds.
Happi: What is it like to go from direct-to-consumer to bricks and mortar so quickly and even more so, with a huge partner like Sephora? Is there an entirely different feel when you see your products on a physical shelf?
Chen: When I started Skylar, I wanted to make sure that we had a strong foundation to build off of. Building this foundation took a lot of hard work and sacrifice. This was important to us so that when the time came for us to partner with the right retailer, we would be ready to sustain not just our own channels but also see success in the retail channel as well. Being able to partner with such a strong company like Sephora means a lot for the trajectory of our business. Through our partnership with them we still are able to maintain our brand identity so that customers don’t lose their connection or experience with us. This has truly been an opportunity where we have been able to expand and extend our reach to customers looking for clean fragrance.
Happi: Can you share with us your experience with Sephora Stands Accelerate program, from the business perspective, but also on a personal level?
Chen: Being part of the Sephora Stands program has been a wonderful and eye-opening opportunity for us. Getting to work with a solely beauty-focused retailer has been great for us to learn about the landscape of our market and how we can continue to grow within it. I enjoyed having the opportunity to be surrounded by amazing like-minded women entrepreneurs who I was able to learn so much from. It has brought me so much personal motivation, as well as motivation and drive to my team.
Happi: How is Skylar different from its competitors?
Chen:Skylar is a clean, hypoallergenic, and non-toxic option for fragrance lovers, and fragrance newbies alike. Fifteen percent of the population have some kind of negative or allergic reaction to traditional fragrances found in everyday products. I had a hard time finding products or brands that claimed to be hypoallergenic which is why it was very important to me that Skylar stood on this as we developed our products. Even though our products are clean and safe, they still smell great. Our scent profiles appeal to so many different tastes and aren’t overpowering. We think it is a win-win that we’re able to provide products our customers can trust, but that also work and smell amazing.
Happi: What’s the latest in terms of new offerings from Skylar?
Chen: Since Skylar began, our customers have consistently and adamantly requested a body care line featuring our signature scents. We have been hard at work developing a line that is innovative and keeps to our values when creating products that our customers will be excited to use. We’re looking forward to giving our customers products that will complete their self-care routines.
HAPPI: And what’s ahead? Can you tip your hat to any upcoming offerings/development/ plans for the Fall or even longer term, like the holiday season?
Chen: 2020 is going to be a very exciting year for Skylar in terms of product development and brand growth. We have entered a time where the Skylar brand is really coming into her own and we’re thrilled to be sharing products that are a reflection of our learnings and aspirations to be a leader in the fragrance industry.
Company founder Cat Chen was tapped to participate in the 2018 Accelerate Program within Sephora Stands, a highly competitive global cohort that fosters the future of innovative female beauty entrepreneurs around the world. Chen’s brand is the only one from the 2018 group that was selected to be stocked both in store and online. The company’s range debuted online and has since moved into 200 storefronts across the US and Canada.
Chen, a former vice president at The Honest Company, spoke with Happi about this milestone for her upstart fragrance company, and what the future holds.
Happi: What is it like to go from direct-to-consumer to bricks and mortar so quickly and even more so, with a huge partner like Sephora? Is there an entirely different feel when you see your products on a physical shelf?
Chen: When I started Skylar, I wanted to make sure that we had a strong foundation to build off of. Building this foundation took a lot of hard work and sacrifice. This was important to us so that when the time came for us to partner with the right retailer, we would be ready to sustain not just our own channels but also see success in the retail channel as well. Being able to partner with such a strong company like Sephora means a lot for the trajectory of our business. Through our partnership with them we still are able to maintain our brand identity so that customers don’t lose their connection or experience with us. This has truly been an opportunity where we have been able to expand and extend our reach to customers looking for clean fragrance.
Happi: Can you share with us your experience with Sephora Stands Accelerate program, from the business perspective, but also on a personal level?
Chen: Being part of the Sephora Stands program has been a wonderful and eye-opening opportunity for us. Getting to work with a solely beauty-focused retailer has been great for us to learn about the landscape of our market and how we can continue to grow within it. I enjoyed having the opportunity to be surrounded by amazing like-minded women entrepreneurs who I was able to learn so much from. It has brought me so much personal motivation, as well as motivation and drive to my team.
Happi: How is Skylar different from its competitors?
Chen:Skylar is a clean, hypoallergenic, and non-toxic option for fragrance lovers, and fragrance newbies alike. Fifteen percent of the population have some kind of negative or allergic reaction to traditional fragrances found in everyday products. I had a hard time finding products or brands that claimed to be hypoallergenic which is why it was very important to me that Skylar stood on this as we developed our products. Even though our products are clean and safe, they still smell great. Our scent profiles appeal to so many different tastes and aren’t overpowering. We think it is a win-win that we’re able to provide products our customers can trust, but that also work and smell amazing.
Happi: What’s the latest in terms of new offerings from Skylar?
Chen: Since Skylar began, our customers have consistently and adamantly requested a body care line featuring our signature scents. We have been hard at work developing a line that is innovative and keeps to our values when creating products that our customers will be excited to use. We’re looking forward to giving our customers products that will complete their self-care routines.
HAPPI: And what’s ahead? Can you tip your hat to any upcoming offerings/development/ plans for the Fall or even longer term, like the holiday season?
Chen: 2020 is going to be a very exciting year for Skylar in terms of product development and brand growth. We have entered a time where the Skylar brand is really coming into her own and we’re thrilled to be sharing products that are a reflection of our learnings and aspirations to be a leader in the fragrance industry.
