Episode Introduction

This episode, sponsored by Compass Rose Ventures and Shopline, features Rose Hamilton speaking with Oyéta Kokoroko, founder of OKOKO Cosmétiques.

Oyéta shares how her personal struggles with acne inspired her to create OKOKO Cosmétiques, a natural skincare brand. She began by experimenting with DIY formulations and transformed her passion for skincare into an award-winning business.

The episode highlights her journey from creating products at home to building a globally recognized brand. She explains how she uses upcycled ingredients and eco-friendly packaging to prioritize sustainability while delivering effective skincare solutions.

Key Topics

• Turning personal challenges into a thriving skincare brand.
• Building brand awareness through innovative and standout products.
• Effective marketing strategies like sampling programs and email outreach.
• Sustainable practices, including upcycled ingredients and recyclable packaging.
• How mentorship and a strong network contributed to her success.

Oyéta’s story offers practical advice for entrepreneurs and insights into building a brand that combines innovation, quality, and sustainability.

Learn More

Discover more about OKOKO Cosmétiques at: https://okokocosmetiques.com/.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and follow The Story of a Brand Show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for more inspiring stories.

Today’s Sponsors

Compass Rose – Advisors for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/ramon/

Compass Rose provides free consulting for CPG founders featured on the show. Schedule your session today and claim a $500 value.

Shopline – Simplify E-Commerce: https://www.us.shopline.com/story

Get a three-month free trial by scheduling a demo. Manage sales, build websites, and boost conversions with ease.

The Story of a Brand Show – Episode Transcript

Introduction

Welcome to this episode of The Story of a Brand Show.

I think you’re going to love this interview that I just did with Oyeda Ococaro, founder of the award-winning brand Okoko Cosmétiques, an emerging brand in the global $186 billion skincare market projected to reach $273 billion by 2030.

I’m actually interviewing Oyéta because she’s a certified cosmetic formulator with over 10 years of experience, and her high-performance formulations and creative vision have won the brand over 25 awards. Oyéta’s wellness products are pioneering the next generation of skincare, combining sustainable ingredients with upcycled botanicals and proven clinical ingredients. She’s been building Okoko since 2016.

In our conversation, she talks candidly about the keys to success in this competitive skincare category and how to really build a brand and succeed as an entrepreneur today. Most importantly, she formulates her products with innovation, transparency, visible results, and a delightful sensorial experience that I absolutely love.

I am so excited to welcome Oyéta to The Story of a Brand Show.

Interview Begins

Rose Hamilton: Hello, Oyéta. This is Rose Hamilton, your host for The Story of a Brand Show. For over two decades, I’ve served as a hands-on executive in growing consumer companies, including the Vitamin Shoppe, PetSmart, and Nutrafol. I’m also the founder of Compass Rose Ventures, a consultancy to emerging CPG brands. On this show, I bring you simple brand growth strategies based on practical experience, inspiring expert interviews, and my own insights from my time on the front lines in the fascinating world of health and wellness, beauty, food and beverage, and pets.

Now, let’s get started with today’s episode.

Rose Hamilton: Hello, listeners, and welcome to The Story of a Brand. Today, I am excited to bring to you a very special guest who I’ve had several conversations with and the privilege of watching her grow her dynamic business in the beauty space. We love to talk about growing and emerging brands, and I think this is a pretty special one. So I’m so excited because we have Oyéta Kokoroko, who is joining us today as the founder of an amazing brand called Okoko Cosmétiques.

Oyéta, you’re going to have to pronounce your brand name correctly for me.

Oyéta Kokoroko: Sure, it’s Okoko. Okoko Cosmétiques.

Rose Hamilton: Perfect. Thank you! Let’s dive right in. To start, Oyéta, why in the world did you get inspired to build a brand? Tell us a little bit about the journey of Okoko Cosmétiques in such a competitive space.

Oyéta Kokoroko: Thank you so much, Rose. First off, hi, and thank you so much for having me on your show. It’s an honor. I’m Oyéta, founder and CEO of the award-winning beauty brand Okoko Cosmétiques. We specialize in offering problem-solving and solution-driven skincare to the modern consumer who’s looking for effective solutions to achieve beautiful, glowing skin. Our products not only deliver results quickly but also provide a moment of self-care and relaxation in today’s busy world.

I was inspired to create this brand a few years ago when I experienced skincare problems like acne. I was searching for effective solutions and became an avid consumer in the beauty industry. I started paying attention to ingredients and their benefits to solve my skin concerns. Over time, this curiosity evolved into a passion for formulating skincare products.

Rose Hamilton: That’s amazing. It sounds like your curiosity turned into a full-blown expertise. How did your background prepare you for this journey? Were you always in product innovation?

Oyéta Kokoroko: Actually, no. Back in the day, I was living in Montreal, Quebec, where there was a store near my house that sold natural ingredients like shea butter from around the world. They also offered soap-making workshops. I started attending these workshops out of curiosity and eventually began formulating skincare products for myself, my family, and friends. Their positive feedback motivated me to refine my skills. Later, I enrolled in cosmetic science programs and skincare development courses, which laid the foundation for my journey as a cosmetic formulator.

Rose Hamilton: That’s incredible. Starting a business like this must have had its challenges. What were some of the toughest hurdles you faced early on?

Oyéta Kokoroko: Oh, absolutely. One of the biggest challenges in the beginning was having no customers or network. I was in my mid-twenties, starting from scratch in Montreal. I had to figure out how to build brand awareness and generate my first customers. I reached out to bloggers, micro-influencers, and others who could help spread the word about Okoko. I also focused on creating standout products, like our vibrant orange balm made with tomato oil and other unique ingredients. This product generated a lot of buzz and helped us win multiple awards, which built credibility and trust.

Rose Hamilton: That’s brilliant—leveraging influencers and creating visually appealing products to stand out in a crowded market. What strategies have worked best for customer acquisition and retention?

Oyéta Kokoroko: Sampling programs have been incredibly effective for us. We offer customers the opportunity to try several products by covering shipping costs. This allows them to experience the efficacy and sensorial aspects of our formulations, often leading to full-size purchases. Email marketing has also been a game-changer in terms of ROI. It’s a cost-effective way to nurture relationships with existing and potential customers, share brand values, and drive repeat purchases.

Rose Hamilton: That makes so much sense. Speaking of brand values, sustainability seems to be a key part of your ethos. Can you tell us more about how Okoko incorporates sustainability into its products?

Oyéta Kokoroko: Absolutely. Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We use upcycled ingredients—for example, oils and extracts derived from by-products that would otherwise go to waste. Our packaging is also sustainable, using recyclable materials and glass. Even our shipping materials are biodegradable. It’s important to us to not only create high-performance products but also minimize our environmental impact.

Rose Hamilton: That’s truly inspiring. As we wrap up, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs in the beauty space?

Oyéta Kokoroko: Believe in yourself and your vision. Start where you are with what you have, and don’t be afraid to take the first step. Learn about marketing and financial management—these are critical for building a sustainable business. And finally, seek mentors who can guide you and help you avoid costly mistakes. Their insights can fast-track your growth.

Rose Hamilton: Thank you, Oyéta, for sharing your journey and wisdom. It’s been an absolute pleasure having you on the show. How can our listeners connect with you and learn more about Okoko Cosmétiques?

Oyéta Kokoroko: Thank you so much, Rose. Listeners can visit our website at okokocosmetiques.com. We also offer samples, so feel free to explore our products. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or email me directly at Oyéta@Okokocosmetiques.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Rose Hamilton: Wonderful. Thank you again, Oyéta. And to our listeners, thank you for tuning in to The Story of a Brand Show. Be sure to leave us a rating and review, and we’ll see you next time.