Key Takeaways:

• From L'Oréal Execs to Founders: Co-founders Christine Chang and Sarah Lee weren’t college dropouts with a dream—they were seasoned insiders at L’Oréal who left the corporate world to fill a gap they knew intimately.

• K Beauty 101: Before Glow Recipe, Korean beauty in the US was confusing and gimmicky. Christine and Sara translated not just ingredient labels, but the philosophy of skin health from Korea to the US market—with a major emphasis on routine and prevention, not just fixes.

• Smart Start: Instead of creating their own products right away, Glow Recipe launched as a curation site for Korean indie brands. This built a loyal, educated audience, enabling profitable growth from month three—rare in ecommerce!

• The Watermelon Glow Revolution: Their breakout product—a watermelon mask inspired by their grandmothers—catapulted them into Sephora fame and sold out within hours. Each launch was obsessed-over, fruit-fueled, and community tested.

• The Brand Shift: Glow Recipe boldly transitioned from “K Beauty brand” to “fruit-forward skincare.” This universal, sensory approach helped them break out of niche status, growing from $60M (2020) to a rumored $300M+ (2023) in revenue.

• Supply Chain Mastery: R&D in Korea and Taiwan, packaging and fulfillment in the US, all with a focus on climate neutrality.

• Exit Potential: They said “no” to a half-billion dollar exit, holding out for a partner who’ll protect their brand’s DNA. L’Oréal, Estee Lauder, and Unilever Prestige Group may be suitors—if the fit is right.

Spotlight: Lessons for Founders 👀

1. Test Before You Build: Start with curation or distribution to understand the market before launching your own brand.

2. Be Willing to Pivot: Don’t be afraid to rebrand or reposition if it means serving a larger vision (hint: “fruit-powered” beat “K Beauty” in mass appeal!).

3. Community > Hype: Authentic education, personalized influencer outreach, and hands-on customer relationships turn a product into a movement.

Industry News: Fun, Farewells & Reboots

• AOL Dial-Up is Dead: After decades, AOL dial-up breathes its last. Who knew it lasted this long?

• Outdoor Voices Returns: The DTC darling is back from its $15M acquisition and relaunch—here’s hoping for a second wind.

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International Container Shipping Rates

Drewry’s World Container Index has fallen for nine straight weeks, stabilizing after tariff-driven volatility, with spot rates easing on key transpacific lanes.

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Partner Spotlight: Slotted’s New Newsletter — Fulfillment Focus

We know sourcing doesn’t stop at the factory gates — fulfillment is where the real test begins. That’s why we’re excited to share that our partner, Slotted, has just launched Fulfillment Focus — a weekly newsletter built for operators who want to stay sharp.

Each issue delivers:

• Weekly fulfillment updates — trends, shifts, and signals you should know.

• Job listings — connect with the best talent and opportunities in the fulfillment world.

• Slotted feature spotlight — practical ways their tools make fulfillment easier, clearer, and less chaotic.

If you want to stay ahead of what’s happening in fulfillment — not just react to it — Fulfillment Focus is a must-read.

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