POH FRANK
Was starting your own skincare line something you’ve always been interested in, or was it more of a newfound passion? Did you hear about it and feel drawn to it, or was there something in your background that sparked the decision to make that change?
JULIUS
I started in 2002 with two products. And so over the years, we added on whatever made sense, never driven by marketing. We found a great formula or we have certain plants in the garden we want to use. And so everything really is grown totally organic.
It took me seven years to make the first money. I always say it’s just a fantasy of the moment. It has no real value. Yeah, but a lot of mathematical people, they always want to see business plans, how many people do we need etc. I was convinced we need a luxurious product in the purest form, in a very organic form. And it didn’t exist in 2002. Every organic product was like ugly packaging, very oily. We have the most refined textures, but we use ancient old technology .So we don’t come from a cosmetic background. We come from pharmaceuticals.
I thought, “Oh my God, all these products are so polluted. There’s so much unnecessary stuff in them.” We always say, “If you can eat it, you can put it in the product. If you can’t eat it, it shouldn’t be in the mix,” because everything is absorbed by your body. But honestly, all the inspiration, everything comes through me, though it’s not from me.
Sometimes I wake up in the night and feel compelled to do something – maybe you can call it divinely inspired, or however you want to phrase it, and then I’m just the vehicle to turn it into reality.
POH FRANK
How do you envision the future of the wellness and holistic beauty industry, and what role do you see your brand playing in it? Since there seems a trend of more holistic wellness brands – but can you mass produce them?
JULIUS
We have the capacity to scale up. It won’t become a mass-produced product, but we recently expanded for a significant project. What I often notice, to be completely honest, is the abundance of stunning locations adorned with marble, glitter, and other lavish elements. While the hardware, the physical spaces, are exceptional, the software, meaning the products they utilize, often lack purity. I find myself amused by industry brands now aspiring to adopt green practices and such, which often feels superficial. However, given their substantial financial resources, they erect spas in various locations.
Despite being a niche player, I’m immensely pleased with the spas we collaborate with; they consistently deliver phenomenal results, that much I can affirm.
POH FRANK
How do you approach the challenge of educating consumers about the holistic principles behind your skincare products in a market often dominated by mainstream beauty trends?
JULIUS
The big names are suddenly rolling out green products, and you wonder, how can you compete without their marketing budget? Over the years, I’ve adopted the mindset that whoever finds us is the right partner.
As a result, we’ve cultivated incredible relationships that endure. It’s really a manifestation of the law of attraction. If the consciousness isn’t aligned, then it’s not the right fit for us. There have been instances where people have approached us, claiming we’re trendy, and I find myself rolling my eyes.
Ultimately, I’ve learned to discern whether we’re a good match, and I’m now able to walk away if it doesn’t feel right. Initially, I may not have had that luxury, but now we have the freedom to choose who we collaborate with. I can often foresee how things will unfold, and more often than not, we’re presented with the right people.
POH FRANK
Nowadays, everyone is venturing into creating their own brand. It’s quite apparent that for many social media influencers/celebrities, their initial goal is to establish their own cosmetic line or, at the very least, a makeup line, among other ventures. What’s your take on that ?
JULIUS
I mean, I haven’t started singing; I should start singing and acting and this and that, I don’t know. So their focus is like, “how much more money can I make?” And I, I’m coming from a completely different perspective. I’m glad and happy to make some money now, but it’s a very organic process for me. However, I find it almost amusing that people fall for that.
These brands lack real value. They’re already prepared, already made. They simply slap their names on them or say, “Oh, I like the smell of roses,” and add some rose essence. But it’s not genuine development; there’s nothing truly unique about it.
POH FRANK
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to enter the wellness and holistic beauty industry?
JULIUS
Well, I always say, you know, be true to your heart, follow your heart, and the money will follow. If you go the other way, you’ll probably get sick and experience other issues. So just be true to yourself, and remember, making mistakes is important; just be gentle with yourself.
But if you stay true to your path, everything will fall into place. It requires a lot of patience and trial and error. But if you have a clear vision and your heart is aligned with it, you’ll eventually achieve what’s called success.
POH FRANK
Thank you Julius for your time – enjoy the beautiful island of Sylt – and take lots of walk with Bodhi
