Tag Archive for: Founder

Behind the Brand: A deeper look at the story behind Goldfaden MD

It runs in the family: A family-run skincare company, Goldfaden MD, utilizes innovative natural ingredients for unmatched performance. Goldfaden MD is unique compared to other in-home skincare brands. “I have honed in on what i feel are the most important and common skincare problems and have built the range to allow consumers to address from at home and improve skin health long-term.” Dermatologist, Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD

What inspired the to start Goldfaden MD and when was the company founded?

I have always been a creative yet clinical thinker when it comes to medical solutions, so problem-solving for my patients naturally steered me toward product development. I remember developing formulas for my wife and young children as they began to encounter various skin issues—it was a genuine and instinctive passion. When I began practicing in the late 60’s, the anti-aging movement hadn’t really begun on a medical level, and most patients sought in-office procedures as the first line of defense. As I gained experience in private practice, I realized just how significant preventative at home skin care could be for my patients and how it could hopefully reduce their need for more extreme corrective measures in-office. There was a void in the skincare marketplace of products that delivered visible anti-aging benefits but that could be tolerated by sensitive, post surgical, and allergic skin types. It was clear to me that the world needed a serious yet chemically clean line they could trust, and GOLDFADEN MD would be the answer.

What did the process look like to formulate non-prescription, medical-grade skincare products?

The process starts with identifying a problem I see in office, and from there develop at home solutions and preventative measures. If brightening is the goal, for example, we want to layer potent natural actives together without adding in silicones, fillers, and irritants. The challenge is keeping the formulas clean without compromising the stability.The first product I developed was Doctors Scrub, our hero product. I started mixing various ingredients together in my office until I perfected the formula through patient trials and lab testing, which took a couple of years.

Can you tell us how Goldfaden MD’s products target specific skin concerns? How are they unique compared to other products on the market?

I have honed in on what I feel are the most important and often common skincare problems and built the range in order to allow consumers to address them at home and improve skin health long term. Superior formulations featuring naturally-derived ingredients with effective delivery systems set the GOLDFADEN MD brand apart. We couple scientific, results driven products with globally-sourced natural ingredients, bridging the “natural” and “physician” product categories at the prestige level in a way no other brand has.

What exciting things are happening with Goldfaden MD in the near future?

On a product level we are expanding The Plant Profusion line and core collection this winter with additional skus. I can’t wait to unveil them. On the business side, our rate of rapid growth is extremely exciting, and I am very proud of our team.

What is your hope for the future of the business?

I’d like to see us continue to grow as a globally recognized brand and remain the leader and best in class range within the category that we have uniquely chartered: Prestige Natural skincare formulated by a dermatologist.  With the right retail partners who share our passion and modern vision of clean beauty, we can bring GOLDFADEN MD to many more individuals here in the US and abroad.

What is the biggest challenge facing the business?

Growth at a rate of control has been top-of-mind for us since inception. Our distribution model has been very calculated and strategic over the last three years, and now we have incredible momentum. With Lisa’s marketing leadership, and strategic investments in public relations and social media communications, we have had great success controlling our messaging, earning trust and praise from international beauty media and influencers, and exciting retail partners, new markets and ultimately consumers. The next chapter is about continuing this success but on a larger scale with the right support at retail, maximizing opportunities for greatest visibility and expansion here in the US and globally.

Where do you see growth opportunities with the brand?

We have had a 40% growth year-over-year since launch and we are working hard to continue to continue on that fast track for this fiscal year and into next. With a heavy focus on retail door expansion, new product launches, online and social media initiatives, and large sample marketing partnerships, we will likely surpass our year-over-year growth for this fiscal year, which is really exciting. Working with the right retail partners greatly impacts the success of the brand and we are certainly continuing to look at both the retail landscape and shifts in consumer behaviors—namely, leveraging social media engagement–in order to hone in on the brand’s expansion and growth opportunities to allow for us to continue building upon our strong footprint within the beauty category.

Dermatologist, Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD

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Female Founder: Tubby Todd’s, Andrea Faulkner Williams


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Andrea Faulkner Williams co-founder and Head Mama of Tubby Todd Bath Co.

Why Tubby Todd?

My husband, Brian Todd, was the biggest baby ever born in the San Jose Hospital (11 pounds… ouch!) When he was born the nurses called him “The Moose” because he was so big. Years ago we had been working on formulas but weren’t sure if we really wanted to launch a bath soap company (mainly fear was holding us back!) and then one day he came home from work and said, “We are going to start a children’s bath soap company and we are going to call it Tubby Todd!” And I was like, “Yeah we are!” It was one of those pivotal moments we both remember.

How many baths per week?

I find the number of baths per week I take has significantly decreased as I have added more children into the equation. I still get to sneak one or two in a week. Because… priorities.

What does your typical Beauty Routine look like?

I try and wash my face both morning and night, moisturize and use the Goldfaden Elixir. Sometimes I fall asleep before I wash my face and so the next morning I use your exfoliater to make up for neglect. If I go two nights of falling asleep without washing my face I put on your mask.

How do you balance work, mom, wife, life (tips / rituals)?

What was the last book you read? I’m currently reading “The Magnolia Story” by Chip and Joanna Gaines. I know, I know… three years after everyone else. But I still cry every single time they talk about putting it all on the line and starting their business together. Shiplap and soap don’t have much in common, but our stories feel similar in so many ways about working together as a couple.

Perfect day…is?

Hmmm. Sleeping in. Hiking outside, getting a few hours of work done in the morning and then doing something with my kids we both enjoy (like going to the pool, or to the beach) and then at night we get a babysitter and we go out. Let’s just say I sneak a nap in there too.

When you need to destress what is your go to?

I have written in a journal since I was 12. I try to spend a few nights a week meditating and writing feelings and lessons learned down. I have always had a lot of feelings (maybe more than I’ve known what to do with, ha!) and my journal is a safe place to put them all and make sense of things.

What is your favorite room in your home?

My favorite room in my home is my kids room. We have a chair in there that we bought when I was pregnant with my first child. Every single night we all pile on it and read books together. The kids poke me in the ribs and beg for more books and I tell them to go to bed but, those are for sure my absolute fav mom moments.

Favorite Tubby Todd product?

Ummmmm it’s always changing but I’m currently so obsessed with our All Over Ointment. Every single day we receive hundreds of testimonials of how our Ointment has changed the lives of the families who use our products. It’s like the Windex of baby products–works on everything.

Where does your inspiration come from?

My babies. And that is the best part of my job. The best thing I can do for our company is spend time with my family. A lot of my inspiration also comes from other female business owners. I spend a lot of time talking to other women about their social strategy and creative process, I always come way so jazzed and full of ideas.

First thing you do when you wake up, is?

Ugh. These kinds of questions are so embarrassing because they highlight what a lug I am. I dream of being the type of mom who’s dressed before her kids get up, but every single day one of my 3 kids or our 2 month old puppy wakes us up. And it’s always like a screaming in my ear, or a jumping on my back, type of awakening. So, the first thing I do is probably tell them to be quiet, or roll out of bed and get them breakfast to get them to be quiet. And, if I wake up on my own the first thing I do is check Instagram and try to take of any emails I need to get out. Because, mama gotta take care of business.

Last thing you do before you go to sleep, is?

Say a prayer. My husband and I try to pray together and then I pray on my own. See, I HAVE ONE GOOD HABIT. Thank you for ending on this note.

 

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