Luxury African Botanicals Drive New Indie Brand Kambiio

Kambiio
Founder: Maryann Okoro
Headquarters: Saskatoon, Canada
Founded: 2021

Congratulations on the launch of Kambiio! How has it been going?
Thank you very much. It has been full of so many emotions. There is a steep learning curve and growth that comes with starting something new. We are gradually getting recognition. I still get very excited when orders come in. I’m all about taking action; therefore, I’m leaving no stones unturned and I’m truly excited for where Kambiio is headed. I’m grateful to be doing something I love.

You have a background in pharmaceutical science and drug quality assurance—how did this shape your development process?
I was able to transfer a lot of skillsets and “right the first time” mindset from my background in the pharmaceutical sector in developing Kambiio as a skin care brand. I am very intentional in ensuring that quality is embedded in our products from the onset—from the sourcing of quality materials to production, packaging and adhering to cosmetic regulations. Ensuring that our products are produced in a facility that is compliant with current good manufacturing practices is very important to me. This means the facility is clean, in good condition and has a layout that decreases the risk of cross-contamination. It also means that good documentation is in place, equipment is calibrated and well sanitized, and there is a standard in place that allows for reproducibility of the product.

Our products are also third-party tested and vetted for quality assurance which includes microbial and heavy metal testing. Based on my research, a lot of young indie brands are not able to go this route, possibly due to financial constraints. This is a standard I cannot compromise on. Understanding regulations and dealing with different suppliers, troubleshooting, researching and reviewing clinical studies came with my roles in the pharmaceutical sector and this knowledge is beneficial throughout the development process for Kambiio.

For the ingredients, I evaluate them from a scientific perspective and a sustainability approach. I’m also able to recognize fear-mongering and green-washing tactics when I see them, especially where they are used in promoting clean beauty.

What has been the best part of launching a brand?
I had thought that I would work for one of the major beauty companies someday as I have always loved the beauty and personal care space. So, to be on this solo journey to creating Kambiio is mind-blowing….Since launching, I have had the opportunity to engage and interact with more people not only discussing skin care or cosmetics but a range of other topics like mental health, empowerment, multiculturalism amongst others.

As a young brand, I also get to be the sole decision maker. In the past with my corporate job, it is almost impossible to finalize a decision without collaborating with multiple teams and getting everybody’s signature to confirm approval.  Now, I get to be bold, audacious and take calculated risks even when self-doubt creeps in. I believe there is always room for continuous improvement.

What is the hardest part?
I think the hardest part about being an indie brand today is the lack of brand visibility and limited finances. The big corporations and celebrities are starting to do what indie brands are doing. They see indie brand founders continue to disrupt the beauty space and they recognize the rise of this niche slowly overtaking the industry. Consumers now want to know the people behind the brand and they want natural alternatives to what they are already used to. These big corporations have big teams on all aspects of the business. They have a big budget and run massive marketing and PR campaigns. They literally swallow the indie brands. A lot of indie brands are bootstrapped and are wearing multiple hats which is quite challenging. Because funds are limited, it becomes a huge undertaking to know where to channel these limited funds and ensure the growth of your business. For this reason, it is very difficult for a lot of indie brands to scale up and also be visible to get their product on retailers’ shelves.