1. What’s your earliest memory of “beauty”?
2. What inspired you to launch your brand?
Laura: I was in my final year of school (studying Chemical Engineering) and started to get more into natural beauty as a consumer. The more that I learned the more frustrated I felt about the state of the options available. Everything was either too expensive, over-promised and under-delivered and was full of ingredients that I didn’t want to use on my skin! This is when the idea for Three Ships was born.
3. How have your personal values shaped your brand?
4. What was your greatest hope for your business when you started out?
Laura: When we first started Connie and I were focused solely on the finish line of getting acquired. Our goal was to sell for $10M by the time we are 30. Needless to say we’ve grown a lot as founders since then and no longer care solely about an acquisition. We’ve already learned a ton including that brands are rarely acquired for anything less than $50M! I think that we are way more patient now than we used to be when we were first starting out.
5. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an entrepreneur?
6. What makes your brand different?
Laura: We believe that natural should mean something and are on a mission to push for greater regulation over the beauty space. There should be a legal definition of what natural, clean and sustainable means. We’re also here to break the stereotype that natural products don’t work, it just isn’t true and this is why we have placed such a focus on having all of our products clinically tested.
Connie: Our approach to “natural” means using only ingredients that are fully plant- or mineral-derived. We avoid over 1,900 potential toxins and irritants, and we meticulously vet each ingredient, down to its sub-ingredients, to ensure our formulas are safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
7. How has beauty evolved since you started, and where do you see it heading?
8. What advice would you give to aspiring beauty entrepreneurs looking to create their own brand?
9. How do you navigate the complex relationship between beauty and self-esteem?
Laura: To me, it starts with recognizing that beauty is subjective and external appearance is only one aspect of who we really are.
True self-esteem comes from internal qualities like self-acceptance, confidence, and self-compassion – all of which have nothing to do with what we look like! Try to view yourself as a complete person and go through your days with compassion towards yourself.
Connie: Navigating the relationship between beauty and self-esteem is something we take seriously, as it’s deeply woven into our brand philosophy. We aim to create products that enhance natural beauty without feeding into insecurities. For instance, we use “Beautiful Before, Beautiful After” imagery to remind our customers that skincare should be about self-care, not achieving perfection.
We also avoid terms like “Anti-Aging,” and instead encourage our audience to implement rituals and routines that aid them in healthy aging. We also prioritize transparency in our messaging, avoiding exaggerated claims that can create unrealistic expectations. Our goal is to empower customers to feel good in their own skin, helping them view beauty as a form of self-expression and self-respect, rather than a measure of self-worth. By focusing on education, transparency, and authenticity, we’re working to build a more positive and inclusive beauty space.
10. What’s a line you love besides your own?
11. What is your most essential self-care ritual?
12. What’s something Canadians in particular need to consider when it comes to skincare?
13. What excites you most about the future of beauty?
