448 Alex Kummerow: Co-Founder of Herbivore Botanicals

COVID-19 Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges for Herbivore Botanicals, impacting their supply chain and sales channels. Alex Kummerow shares how the company faced fears and uncertainties as retailers closed and projections were halved, threatening staff security. Despite these challenges, the health and beauty sector's resilience helped them increase online sales and adapt to remote operations 1. Kummerow reflects on the company's unique Seattle roots and the innovative spirit that emerged from a team with no prior beauty experience 2.

I love herbivore iteration one the Seattle days, because we were a company built up completely from hardworking, extremely talented people with zero experience in beauty.

--- Alex Kummerow

   

Authenticity

Building an authentic brand requires staying true to personal and brand values, even amidst external pressures. Alex Kummerow emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and authenticity, sharing how Herbivore Botanicals initially suffered when he followed external advice without considering its fit with their brand 3. He learned that no one knows the brand better than its founders, and maintaining authenticity is crucial for success. Kummerow also highlights the value of learning from mistakes and the necessity of starting somewhere, even if it means improvising with unconventional methods 4.

We need to be critically thinking about everything we do. Make sure it feels authentic to us, make sure it feels right to us.

--- Alex Kummerow