Podcast Summary: Style-ish Episode - "The Ultimate Guide: Rebecca Harding on Brand-Building and Beauty"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Style-ish
- Host/Author: Shameless Media
- Description: Style-ish is the podcast for all things fashion, brand, business, and beauty.
- Episode: The Ultimate Guide: Rebecca Harding on Brand-Building and Beauty
- Release Date: March 6, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of Style-ish, host Maddie sits down with Rebecca Harding, a multifaceted entrepreneur renowned for her body care brand, Louis. Rebecca brings a wealth of experience from her background in PR, media, and communications, making her a standout expert in brand-building within the competitive fashion and beauty industry.
Rebecca Harding & Her Brand Louis
Rebecca introduces herself as a business owner, media personality, brand ambassador, and model. She holds a master's degree in communications and has dedicated the past eight years to developing her body care brand, Louis, which launched in August 2023. Initially starting with a razor and shaving cream, Louis has expanded its product line to include a body polish and a body moisturizer, rapidly becoming a sought-after bathroom essential.
Quote:
- “It’s very important in that. So, yeah, that gets me excited. I think the fact that you can really, if you've got a good brand, you can really transform or take someone to a different place. I think that's pretty magical.” [05:09]
Shaving Tips and Techniques
The conversation begins with valuable shaving tips. Rebecca emphasizes the correct way to shave legs by shaving with the grain first and then against the grain to achieve the closest shave and preserve the sharpness of the blade.
Notable Tips:
- Use Shaving Cream: Contrary to common misconceptions, shaving cream is not just for men. Rebecca highlights the importance of using proper shaving products rather than substitutes like hair conditioner.
- Shaving Technique: Shave down the leg first, then back up against the grain for the best results.
Quote:
- “Well, you're meant to actually go with the hair growth. So you shave down the leg to trim the hair and then shave back up against the hair growth, and that just gives you, like, the closest shave you'll ever experience.” [03:02]
Building the Louis Brand
Rebecca delves into the meticulous process of establishing Louis over three years. She discusses the importance of thorough research, especially in designing a female-first razor handle that differs from the traditional male-oriented designs. This attention to detail ensures that the product caters specifically to women's shaving needs.
Key Points:
- Research & Development: Extensive research into women's shaving habits and preferences.
- Design Innovation: Creating a razor that offers maximum control and maneuverability with a unique weighted sphere design.
Quote:
- “We wanted to remove that gender stereotype as well, of like the pinks and purples. Yeah. We've moved on from that.” [18:03]
Challenges and Mistakes in Brand Building
Rebecca candidly shares the hurdles faced during the brand launch, including lead time miscalculations and shipping delays that pushed their expected launch from three months to a year. These setbacks caused significant emotional stress, fearing that another brand might steal their idea or saturate the market with similar products.
Key Challenges:
- Lead Times: Understanding manufacturing lead times and their impact on product launch.
- Shipping Delays: Managing logistics to meet launch timelines.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: Coping with the anxiety of delays and market competition.
Quote:
- “It was devastating. And you go through a wave of emotions. We were like, someone else is going to think of this in this 12 months and launch without us launching.” [11:08]
Collaborations and Partnerships
Rebecca highlights the strategic collaborations that have bolstered Louis's presence in the market. Notably, the partnership with Australian leatherwear brand, Aesc, resulted in a Louis-colored toiletry bag, blending fashion with beauty seamlessly.
Key Collaborations:
- Aesc: Designing multifunctional toiletry bags that double as clutches.
- Synergy with Like-minded Brands: Enhancing brand visibility and creating cohesive customer experiences beyond the bathroom.
Quote:
- “We saw a lot of synergy between our two brands. Even though she's in fashion and we're in beauty, it was just a nice way to sort of join forces and make something really beautiful.” [16:08]
Managing a Brand as a Public Figure
Rebecca contrasts her previous role as a brand ambassador with her current position managing Louis. Owning a brand brings a deeper personal investment and a different set of responsibilities, often involving less glamorous but essential tasks like invoicing and financial forecasting.
Key Insights:
- Personal Investment: Treating the brand as her "baby," leading to a higher level of care and attention.
- Day-to-Day Management: Handling marketing, financial tasks, and strategic planning with a small team.
Quote:
- “It's my baby. It literally feels like my baby. Instead of nine months, it just took three years to grow.” [13:11]
Personal Style and Routines
Rebecca shares her personal style philosophy, emphasizing comfort, classic elements, and a touch of eclecticism. She discusses her daily routine, which includes body brushing, reformer Pilates, and a dedicated body care regimen that prepares her skin for shaving.
Style Philosophy:
- Comfortable and Classic: Prioritizing ease without compromising on timeless style.
- Wardrobe Staples: Investing in high-quality basics like white T-shirts from Floor Floor and versatile jeans from Danielle Jean.
Quote:
- “I think it really is always around comfort. A little bit classic. A little bit eclectic. There's always a little bit of whimsy in there somewhere.” [25:55]
Career and Brand-Building Advice
Rebecca offers invaluable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and brand builders. She underscores the importance of taking action, breaking down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps, and stepping outside one's comfort zone to foster growth.
Key Advice:
- Start Now: Don’t wait to feel fully equipped; begin the journey and learn along the way.
- List-Making: Organize tasks into lists to make large projects less daunting.
- Embrace Fear: Use fear as a motivator to push boundaries and achieve more.
Quote:
- “If it’s not exciting you or if it’s not making you a little bit scared, it’s probably not worth doing.” [39:31]
Future Plans for Louis
Looking ahead, Rebecca reveals plans to expand Louis's product line and enter new markets, including shipping to New Zealand and the United States. She is excited about the growing demand and the opportunity to influence more consumers globally.
Future Endeavors:
- Product Expansion: Continuing to develop and test new body care products.
- International Growth: Establishing a presence in the U.S. market and beyond.
Quote:
- “We’re shipping to New Zealand now, which is exciting. And we’ve had a lot of requests interestingly from the States.” [37:18]
Conclusion
Rebecca Harding's journey with Louis exemplifies the dedication and strategic thinking required to build a successful brand in the fashion and beauty industry. Her insights on effective branding, overcoming challenges, and maintaining a strong personal style offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and enthusiasts alike. Maddie wraps up the conversation by expressing gratitude and encouraging listeners to apply Rebecca’s tips to enhance their own beauty and business endeavors.
Final Quote:
- “What could we afford to keep out of our routine? What are you like, I’ll ditch that. Everyone’s doing that. But we don’t need to do that for the, like, everything shower or the post-shower.” [33:25]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- “It’s very important in that. So, yeah, that gets me excited. I think the fact that you can really, if you've got a good brand, you can really transform or take someone to a different place. I think that's pretty magical.” — Rebecca Harding [05:09]
- “If it’s not exciting you or if it’s not making you a little bit scared, it’s probably not worth doing.” — Rebecca Harding [39:31]
- “We wanted to remove that gender stereotype as well, of like the pinks and purples. Yeah. We’ve moved on from that.” — Rebecca Harding [18:03]
Key Takeaways:
- Effective Branding: Focus on creating an emotional connection and unique identity.
- Attention to Detail: Thorough research and thoughtful design can set a brand apart.
- Resilience: Overcoming delays and setbacks is crucial in the brand-building journey.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with like-minded brands enhance visibility and customer experience.
- Personal Investment: Treating your brand with care and passion leads to greater success.
- Practical Advice: Break down tasks, embrace challenges, and maintain core values for growth.
Rebecca Harding’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and authentic branding in the beauty industry. Her approach to creating Louis offers a blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs aiming to make their mark.