BUSINESS
BEAUTY GETS A
BOOST
Raj Ghatge
In an exclusive interview with Retail Beauty, Raj Ghatge, the COO of York St Brands, delves into how the merger of BOOST LAB and tbh Skincare has propelled the company’s remarkable growth, while shedding light on his strategies for maintaining a motivated and vibrant office culture.
By Michelle Ruzzene
I
n an industry that thrives on innovation and connection with consumers, York St Brands has showcased a remarkable achievement with a fivefold increase in performance following the merger of BOOST LAB and tbh Skincare earlier this year. Their success story is one of synergy and adaptability in the competitive world of skincare and beauty. COO of York St Brands, Raj Ghatge, shared insights into the merger’s success: “The merger between BOOST LAB and tbh Skincare has proven to be an exceptional union of strengths and a testament to their complementary nature,” he said. “BOOST LAB brings a wealth of expertise in sales, business development, operations, and finance to the table, while tbh Skincare excels in the realm of marketing, creating a well-rounded and formidable partnership.” 36| RETAIL BEAUTY SUMMER 2023
This achievement is all the more noteworthy considering the challenging economic landscape. The merger capitalises not only on the individual strengths of both brands but also on their adaptability to evolving market dynamics. The dynamic leadership team, including Raj, CEO Craig Schweighoffer, CMO Rachael Wilde, CFO Bridget Mitchell, and Head of Innovation Dr. Curtis Crasto plays a pivotal role in the continued success of BOOST LAB and tbh Skincare. “The leadership team boasts an impressive collective experience of approximately 100 years,” Raj said. “Each member brings a unique and relevant skill set to the table, resulting in a diverse yet highly cohesive leadership team.” He further highlighted the importance of their shared mindset, stating: “With a shared ‘Let’s go’ attitude, the team collectively challenges conventional thinking and ensures that every opportunity is thoroughly examined through constructive discussions. Their open-minded approach is pivotal, and above all, they all share a genuine passion
and enjoyment for their work. This synergy of expertise, positive outlook, and love for what they do underpins the success of the leadership team.” York St Brands successfully leverages the strengths of both BOOST LAB and tbh Skincare, understanding that the two brands complement each other rather than compete. With distinctly different consumer demographics, and distribution channels, the brands implement varied yet highly adapted sales and marketing strategies, demonstrating the fundamental principles of economies of scale and shared brand resources. The vibrant office culture at York St Brands is a major factor contributing to their success. New team members who have joined the company routinely express their enthusiasm, with comments such as, “I love coming to work as it’s so much fun compared to my previous job,” according to Raj. This enthusiastic response reflects the company’s commitment to building a lively and inspiring work environment.
