Meet the CEO and founder of Beau-Link—tune in to our special one-on-one chat!

SO excited to have this interview with you! Tell us briefly about your background in the personal care contract manufacturing business and cosmetics!

I have over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, having worked with globally recognized brands and top-tier contract manufacturers across Korea and the U.S. I started my career at a global skincare brand for 3 years before joining a leading Korean cosmetics manufacturer where I spent 7 years developing innovative formulations for global markets. I later led operations and sales as Vice President at a contract manufacturing company before launching Beau-Link, specializing in product development and incubator services for independent brands in the U.S. Over the years, I’ve created 500+ SKUs for well-known beauty brands and more than 150 SKUs for global corporations. Many of my best-selling formulations continue to thrive in the market today.

What inspired you to start Beau-Link, and how has the journey been so far?

The process of working with manufacturers for cosmetics development, in many ways, remains outdated. Too often, clients find themselves without sufficient information, and once they engage with a manufacturer, they may feel pressured to move forward with a product launch—even when it doesn't meet expectations. When challenges arise, resolving them can be both costly and time-consuming. After over a decade of working closely with manufacturers, I’ve seen firsthand that while each brings unique strengths to the table, clients often struggle to fully leverage these capabilities. This gap is exactly why I founded my company: to offer a service that mitigates risks while consistently delivering high-quality products. By leveraging my extensive network in both Korea and the United States, I aim to provide clients with the resources and expertise needed for success.

As I continue to build my business, I’ve made many decisions and learned valuable lessons along the way, often through trial and error. But what drives me forward is the trust clients have placed in me over the years, consistently seeking my guidance for product development and choosing to partner with me.

Moreover, I’m excited to share that we’re actively working on an integrated service app, with a promising collaboration underway with an innovative IT company in the United States. Progress is being made, and I’m confident that the future holds great opportunities for our company and clients alike.

What makes Beau-Link different from other contract manufacturers in the personal care space?

Our team is composed of professionals with over 20 years of combined experience in the beauty industry, specializing in manufacturing and consulting of high-quality personal care and beauty products, a fact we take great pride in. But our value goes beyond manufacturing. We offer strategic guidance in areas such as distribution, regulatory compliance, and market localization, for our clients thrive and grow in diverse global markets. We LINK them to a wide range of business opportunities and industry developments, using our strong global network and partnerships with leading manufacturers and beauty businesses across the U.S. and Asia.

What sets us apart is that we are not just a service provider; we are a strategic partner committed to helping beauty companies navigate industry challenges, seize growth opportunities, and foster long-term success in this ever-evolving, competitive landscape.

What do you envision will be the biggest challenge facing the beauty industry as well as the contract manufacturing business?

I believe that, similar to other industries, sustainability will be the most significant challenge facing both the beauty industry and the contract manufacturing sector in the coming years. As environmental concerns continue to rise, companies will be under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices across their entire value chain.

One of the most pressing issues is the environmental impact of plastic packaging. While there are numerous recycled packaging options being developed in response to growing environmental regulations, the larger question remains: how can we move beyond plastic altogether? This isn’t just a packaging challenge—it’s a fundamental issue that extends across all facets of cosmetics manufacturing, from product formulation to production processes.

The beauty industry, in particular, faces unique challenges in finding viable alternatives to plastic that don’t compromise product integrity, safety, or customer experience. Moreover, there are technical and logistical hurdles related to sourcing sustainable materials, scaling production methods, and ensuring that these new solutions remain cost-effective.

As an industry, we will need to innovate in materials science, production techniques, and supply chain management to meet consumer demand for eco-friendly products while maintaining the high standards of quality and efficacy that consumers expect. This will require collaboration between manufacturers, brands, and regulatory bodies to develop scalable solutions that can drive meaningful change. I foresee this being a long-term challenge, but also an opportunity for those who are proactive and able to lead in sustainability.

How do you see the demand for clean beauty, sustainability, and innovative formulations shaping the industry?

The demand for clean beauty, sustainability, and innovative formulations goes beyond marketing—it's a reflection of a deeper shift in consumer values. With advancements in technologies like artificial intelligence, consumers now have more access to information and actively seek brands that align with their ethical values. Sustainability is no longer optional; it’s a core expectation that will continue to shape the beauty industry.

In the years ahead, clean beauty will become mainstream, with products being continually reformulated to meet sustainability standards and consumers will recognize and prioritize brands that embrace transparency and ethical practices. Those that lead in these areas will set the standard for the future of the industry.

What are some common mistakes that brands make when developing new products, and how can they avoid them?

One common mistake brands make when developing new products is not properly allocating their budget. When the budget is too tight, the product quality, especially the formulation, can really suffer. It’s tempting to cut costs in areas like packaging or secondary materials, but doing so can impact the overall product in a big way. The external appearance matters a lot—it’s how consumers first connect with the brand. So, it's really important not to skimp on aesthetics or presentation. At the end of the day, both the product and its packaging need to reflect the brand’s identity if you want to create something truly successful.

Can you walk us through the process of developing a product with Beau-Link, from concept to launch?

Our process begins with an initial consultation to clearly define the customer’s needs and objectives, whether they are looking to launch a new brand, enhance their existing product portfolio with innovative solutions, or source a new manufacturer. For custom development projects, the customer typically provides a product brief. Based on this, we schedule an initial meeting with Beau-Link to discuss the desired product in greater detail. Using our extensive formulation library, we identify the closest match to the customer’s needs and select the most appropriate manufacturer based on key factors such as cost of goods, minimum order quantities, launch quantities, and specific product specifications. We then proceed with the formulation phase, where the most time and effort are dedicated to perfecting the formula. During this stage, our team of R&D chemists, product development experts, and marketing professionals work in close collaboration to ensure the product is aligned with the brief specifications. Simultaneously, we leverage our expansive network to source the desired packaging.

Once both the formula and packaging are approved, we conduct a series of rigorous tests, including stability, safety, and clinical evaluations, to ensure the product complies with all necessary standards. Upon successful testing, we finalize the sourcing of packaging and secondary materials, and production with the selected manufacturer begins. The timeline for this entire process typically ranges from 6 to 18 months, depending on the complexity of the product and the target launch date. For turnkey projects, where we manage everything from formulation to packaging, production, and shipping, we maintain full control of the process, which allows us to offer shorter lead times and minimize disruptions.

We conduct additional quality assurance checks throughout to guarantee the final product exceeds industry standards. Once all components are confirmed, we continue to support the customer through the product launch to ensure a smooth and successful market introduction.

What are some of the key challenges in personal care contract manufacturing, and how does Beau-Link help brands overcome them?

Developing a product involves navigating several challenges, such as formulation stability, preservative effectiveness, and packaging compatibility. While these issues may not always be immediately apparent, they represent potential risks in the manufacturing process. With over ten years of experience and a dedicated team at Beau-Link, our primary focus is to proactively address these risks and develop products in a way that minimizes potential setbacks. Our goal is to alleviate as much burden as possible for the customer, ensuring a smooth and efficient development process.

What advice would you give to startup brands looking to enter the beauty or personal care market?

Launching your own brand can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the beauty and personal care industry. However, the most important factor is your determination to bring your product vision to life. It’s essential to find a reliable partner who understands your goals and is committed to supporting you throughout the entire process, from development to launch. With the right partnership, persistence, and focus, you can successfully navigate the challenges and bring your product to market. Thats where Beau-link comes in.

If a brand is considering contract manufacturing, what should they look for in a partner?

When considering contract manufacturing, it’s essential to evaluate several key factors in a potential partner. First, ensure the manufacturer holds the necessary certifications, such as GMP and ISO 22716 (cosmetics GMP), to guarantee they meet industry standards for producing cosmetics. Additionally, verify that they have the appropriate R&D and manufacturing facilities for the specific product you wish to develop. For OTC products, confirming FDA registration and suitable facilities is crucial.

While it’s challenging to know everything about a manufacturer, reviewing the products they have successfully developed and brought to market provides valuable insight into their capabilities. Before moving forward with any development, it’s important to first confirm these critical aspects, followed by a thorough assessment of their research and production capacity.

Some may wonder about the value of working with a consulting and contract manufacturing partner like Beau-Link instead of going directly to a manufacturer. How would you explain the advantages and unique benefits of your approach to those who may be skeptical?

Some may question the value of working with a consulting and contract manufacturing partner like Beau-Link, rather than going directly to a manufacturer. The key difference lies in our expertise and network. While each manufacturer has strengths in specific product categories, these nuances may not be apparent to the average consumer. Beau-Link partners with over ten manufacturers across Korea and the United States, allowing us to carefully select the best fit for each client’s unique needs.

Our in-depth experience with these manufacturers gives us a clear understanding of their strengths and limitations, which allows us to manage the entire product development and production process with precision. This not only reduces potential risks but also ensures superior product quality. Our approach has consistently resulted in higher success rates for our clients’ product launches. For a deeper dive into how we provide value, we’ve dedicated a page on our website to explore this further. --> Why Beau-Link | cosmetic development

How can potential clients get started with Beau-Link, and what’s the best way to reach out?

Getting started with Beau-Link is simple. You can easily schedule a meeting by reaching out to us at info@beau-link.com. If your product aligns with our capabilities, we’ll take it from there and guide you through the process. We look forward to "linking" with you!