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A young couple has revealed how they started a fake tan business from scratch and turned it into a thriving global brand by following five key rules.  

Laura and David Oosterloo, from Melbourne, saw a ‘gap in the market’ for a natural, vegan suncare that didn’t irritate the skin while living in Bali nine years ago.  

Ever since, their company Bali Body has gone from strength to strength, attracting hundreds of thousands of customers worldwide with the $30.95 Ultra Dark Self Tanning Mousse.

Laura, now 36, has suffered a skin condition her entire life and previously couldn’t use any tanning products on the market because it would aggravate her skin. 

Australian couple Laura (right) and David Oosterloo (left) launched tanning brand Bali Body in 2014. Since then the brand has become a global success

Australian couple Laura (right) and David Oosterloo (left) launched tanning brand Bali Body in 2014. Since then the brand has become a global success 

Bali Body is best known for its $30.95 Ultra Dark Self Tanning Mousse (pictured), which provides the 'deepest, darkest' self-tan possible with just one layer

Bali Body is best known for its $30.95 Ultra Dark Self Tanning Mousse (pictured), which provides the ‘deepest, darkest’ self-tan possible with just one layer 

Bali provided the couple endless inspiration to create a brand with natural formulations that delivered radiant, healthy skin.

Since then the business has grown to gain an Instagram following of more than 1.4million people and the products are loved by thousands.

In the early days, the couple invested $30,000 to develop the perfect tanning product before launching into the market.

By leveraging social media and influencers to their advantage, the brand quickly took off.

The products encapsulates the idea of enjoying yourself while on a holiday and coming back all bronzed and tanned – something everyone enjoys.  

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‘We work hard to define our unique selling propositions (USP), knowing our community and the types of marketing and products they want to see/try, and put emphasis on projecting a consistent brand image and high-quality content,’ Laura told FEMAIL.

And neither of them have any previous business experience. 

How to build a business from scratch: 

Laura shared her tips for those starting out in business: 

1. Be consistent and post everyday on social media 

2. Invest as much as you can at the start 

3. Respond to customers quickly and have good customer service 

4. Stand out from the crowd and have a point of difference

5. Think of a catchy brand name 

In the early days, the couple invested $30,000 to develop the perfect tanning product before launching into the market. By leveraging social media and influencers to their advantage, the brand quickly took off

In the early days, the couple invested $30,000 to develop the perfect tanning product before launching into the market. By leveraging social media and influencers to their advantage, the brand quickly took off

Thousands of customers from around the world have shared before and after images of how good their skin looks after applying the self-tan

Thousands of customers from around the world have shared before and after images of how good their skin looks after applying the self-tan 

But the road to success hasn’t been smooth sailing, with the couple dedicating both their time and money into the brand.

Today, despite having a huge following, Laura and David – a former carpenter – plan to take the brand to new heights, all while parenting two young children.

On the Startup Diaries Podcast, the couple shared how they went from zero to 1.4million Instagram followers, and how they started out. 

‘Since launching we’ve posted five times per day for the last eight years on Instagram, and never missed a post. So we’re super consistent in our messaging,’ Laura said.

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‘For three years, seven days a week, I’ll be out at 11pm having an espresso and be like.. oh alarm, post. So the dedication is legit.

‘We wanted to be a global brand from the start and we took key influencers from different parts of the world.

‘Those big influencers would post something and you would make a direct ROI (return on investment) because it was still new, whereas now it’s gone through more like micro-influencers.’

In the podcast Laura also touched on ‘now culture’ and how today everyone wants things instantly, so the brand pushed the message of ‘free and fast shipping’ to ensure customers will buy and return to buy more. 

On the Startup Diaries Podcast, the couple shared how they went from zero to 1.4million Instagram followers, and how they started out

On the Startup Diaries Podcast, the couple shared how they went from zero to 1.4million Instagram followers, and how they started out

Laura said she ‘isn’t scared’ to tackle what’s required for the brand to become even more well known internationally. 

Today Bali Body products can be purchased in the US, UK and across Europe. 

Those wanting to follow in their footsteps and take a risk on a business venture, Laura said to prepare yourself. 

‘It will likely consume the majority of your life at least for the first five years, ensure you are prepared for that commitment,’ she said. 

‘To be successful, you must be willing to sacrifice almost all of your time and energy into driving the business forwards, and ensure you are prepared for failure, because you will fail in almost everything you do initially but that is how you learn how and where to go next!’

The Instant Tan spray has quickly become a cult-favourite product that transforms the skin and provides a natural looking tan once applied

The tan can be smoothed out with a body blender brush

The Instant Tan spray has quickly become a cult-favourite product that transforms the skin and provides a natural looking tan once applied.  The tan can be smoothed out with a body blender brush

The ‘game changing’ Bali Body fake tan now sells every three minutes and late last year the brand launched a revolutionary self-tanning product that has sold out five times globally since launching. 

The Instant Tan spray has quickly become a cult-favourite product that transforms the skin and provides a natural looking tan once applied.  

To date more than 50,000 bottles have sold globally generating more than $1million in revenue.

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