"Prioritize your mental health" with Margaux Pagès

Margaux Pagès is a serial entrepreneur and business advisor, specialized in transforming innovative ideas into thriving, scalable ventures. With a track record of success in industries ranging from SaaS to AI, IOT and CleanTech, and now founder of Skincare Brand Dune Care, she has helped build over 45 technology-based startups with a 70% survival rate. She has also provided financial, fundraising, and strategic consulting to +350 companies worldwide.

Can you tell our readers about your background? 

I’m a serial entrepreneur and strategy advisor. Throughout my career, I've founded four companies of my own, including a startup accelerator.

My latest venture is a cosmeceutical company, Dune Care, that helps people fight against eczema, psoriasis and long-term skin issues heal and recover from their painful symptoms. 

What inspired you to start your business? 

What inspired me to start this business was the desire to have a meaningful impact and reinvent the skincare industry, particularly for individuals suffering from under-addressed, chronic skin issues like eczema and psoriasis.

Where is your business based?

Our company is remote-based and international. We have offices in Monaco, in Berlin, and in Bulgaria, where we hand-make, design, and sell our natural healing ointments.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

To begin, I partnered with my best friend, who also experienced these chronic skin problems firsthand, like acne inflammation and eczema on her hands. 

We took the first steps by finding a reliable producer, designing a brand that would make a lasting impression, and outlining our company's vision: to revolutionize the industry and bring about meaningful and positive change for millions of people suffering and being ignored every year.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business? 

Raising awareness for our business has been an ongoing effort. We have found success through partnerships with pharmacies, beauty salons, and social media skinfluencers. Collaborating with these industry leaders has allowed us to reach a broader audience, build trust and reliability, and spread our message to the right audience.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? 

Our biggest challenge has been finding distributors to help scale our business. Managing technical and daily operational issues is also a key entrepreneurial challenge but we love the job and we remain determined to expand our reach and make our products more accessible to those in need.

How do you stay focused?

Staying focused is crucial, and I achieve it through my passion for what I do. I continue to learn every day and remind myself of the significant impact we aim to make in the industry. This serves as a constant motivation and keeps me on track.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition? 

To differentiate our business from the competition, we prioritize healing over beauty, comfort over mere impression, and helping our clients rebuild their confidence instead of merely simulating it. By focusing on these aspects, we offer a unique approach that sets us apart from other skincare companies.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business? 

Our most effective marketing strategy has been leveraging expert partnerships, key opinion leaders and influencers, and mostly, targeting a blue ocean niche, specifically eczema and psoriasis. This allows us to reach a highly engaged and underserved audience that is dying for an effective, comfortable and safe solution for their skin problem.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs? 

For aspiring and new entrepreneurs, my best advice is to prioritize your mental health. The journey of entrepreneurship can be demanding, and taking care of yourself is essential to sustain your success.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

As for my favorite app, blog, and book, I highly recommend Fiton, an app that helps me take care of your physical health and emotional well-being. The blog "Barking Up the Wrong Tree" provides insightful, witty and life-changing articles, while the book "Why Things Catch On" gives key strategies to bring virality to any business strategy.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

When it comes to my favorite business tool or resource, I must admit that ChatGPT, although a cliché, has been incredibly effective in helping me work faster, deliver results and provide valuable insights on the market.

Who is your business role model? Why?

Madam C.J. Walker is my business role model. Her resilience and self-belief in the face of challenges have always inspired me. Plus she worked in the beauty industry and it is so motivating to see her thrive throughout her entrepreneurial journey.

How do you balance work and life? 

To balance work and life, I establish strict boundaries and rely on the support of my family. By setting clear priorities and making time for loved ones, I can maintain a healthy professional and emotional balance.

What’s your favorite way to decompress? 

My favorite way to decompress is through walking and painting. These activities allow me to clear my mind and focus solely on the present moment.

What do you have planned for the next six months? 

In the next six months, we have ambitious plans to triple our sales and expand our retail presence. Additionally, I intend to travel more, live yet in another country and dedicate time to taking care of the people I love.

How can our readers connect with you?

Readers can connect with me through email at info@dune-care.com, follow our Instagram account @dunecareofficial, and visit our website at www.dune-care.com.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to connecting with you all!