case studies.
m-61 — Clean Clinical Skincare, Reimagined
Product Development - Bluemercury
Vision and Opportunity (2008):
Marla and Barry Beck aimed to deliver dermatologist-grade results without petrochemicals, creating a clean clinical line that pairs performance with purity.
Challenge:
Consumers demanded high-efficacy, clean formulations; suppliers, manufacturers, and industry experts doubted it was possible.
Approach:
• Formulation: Rebuilt recipes from first principles to prioritize efficacy without compromise.
• Ingredients: Sourced only clean, clinically proven actives.
• Partners: Aligned with innovative labs and manufacturers meeting rigorous quality
standards.
• Standards: Maintained a zero-compromise stance on safety and performance.
Outcome:
• Launched the first clean clinical skincare line of its kind.
• m61became Bluemercury’s top-selling skincare brand.
• m61 PowerGlow Peel became a cult favorite and proof that performance and purity can
coexist.
• Bold innovation turned a customer insight into a category-defining brand.
Takeaway: Purpose-driven innovation turned a clear consumer need into a category-defining brand.
BEVEL
Project Management NPD, Operational
Excellence Execution - Walker & Company
Vision and Opportunity:
Consumers of color experienced irritation, ingrown hairs, and poor shaves because mainstream products weren’t engineered for coarse, curly hair; clear market gap for a targeted solution.
Solution:
BEVEL — a premium shaving system engineered for coarse, curly hair and dermatological needs of African American men to reduce irritation, prevent ingrowns, and deliver closer, more comfortable shaves.
Strategic Partnership with The Complete Package:
Product development: Formulated and validated five core SKUs optimized for texture and skin health.
Supply chain: Built scalable sourcing and manufacturing to support launch and growth.
Product operations: Implemented quality controls and logistics for rapid fulfillment and reliable scaling.
Execution:
• Execution and Speed: TCP delivered a full brand launch ahead of typical industry timelines, preserving product integrity while accelerating time to market.
Takeaway: Culturally informed product design plus disciplined, rapid execution turned a focused insight into a national brand with mainstream commercial success.
Strategic Value Creation through CM
Optimization - Orveon Global
Buxom | Bare Minerals | Laura Mercier
Objective:
Transition select premium cosmetic product lines from internal manufacturing to external contract manufacturers to increase scale, flexibility, and cost efficiency.
Operational Challenges:
• Legacy internal manufacturing constraints limiting throughput and agility
• Need for scalable capacity to support growth and seasonal peaks
• Pressure to reduce cost-to-serve while protecting quality and compliance
Strategic Move:
• Carved out $51MM of internal manufacturing volume and divested to high-performing CMs
Execution Components
Tech transfer: Complete end-to-end technical documentation, validation protocols, and QA oversight
Methodology and rigor: Structured validation runs, acceptance criteria, and performance KPIs to preserve product integrity
Competitive CM bidding: Global RFP to vetted partners using quality, agility, cost, and compliance as selection criteria
Partner onboarding: Production trials, SOP alignment, and regulatory file updates to ensure seamless handoff
Key Takeaways
• Strategic CM carve-outs can materially expand margins
• Robust, documented tech transfer is essential for operational continuity
• Competitive bidding surfaces partners that balance quality, speed, and cost
Results
• Diversified manufacturing footprint and improved supply chain resilience
• Zero disruption to product quality or regulatory compliance during and after the transition
• Cost and operational advantages unlocked through best-in-class CM partnerships