mellow NOIR: cosmetics with a coffee kick
BUSINESS | May 17, 2021
MELLOW NOIR: COSMETICS WITH A COFFEE KICK
FROM EDITOR
COFFEE AND COSMETICS - YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN THE COMBINATION TO US! HOW DOES IT FIT TOGETHER?
Very good! On the one hand, I am of course a big coffee fan myself. And on the other hand, I have always been fascinated by the potential of coffee. During my studies - initially environmental sciences, then chemical engineering - I looked into the used coffee grounds that are produced in cafés. What can you do with this supposed waste product? That's when I found out about biodiesel or briquettes. The idea of upcycling has stuck with me!
AND THEN ONE DAY YOU WERE SITTING IN YOUR FAVORITE CAFE AND GOT TO THINK WITH A CUP OF GOOD COFFEE...
During my research, I came across skin care as another way to use coffee grounds. The coffee oil has an antioxidant effect and supports the skin to regenerate quickly. At the same time, it stimulates the body to produce collagen, which can make the skin firmer. And as I sipped my coffee, I thought: This valuable natural product is grown on the other side of the world, shipped over to us - and then unfortunately almost completely disposed of. There are so many good things in coffee grounds. Why is nature's power so wasted? I asked the barista to give me some of the coffee grounds and started experimenting at home.
HOW SHOULD WE IMAGINE THIS?
After the first experiments, I started working full-time straight after studying, on the first day! For two years I put all the time, energy and love I had into it. In an old double garage in my hometown, I dried coffee grounds in an oven and extracted the valuable coffee oil.
TWO YEARS? WOW, HOW DID YOU KEEP IT UP - FINANCIALLY TOO?
I saw the product in my mind's eye the whole time. I really wanted to bring it to market! Many people have told me that this is not possible. That motivated me, I wanted to prove the opposite. Of course, it wasn't an easy time financially. But I received a start-up grant from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and my parents and grandparents helped me a lot: with advice, but also with money. We were a family business from the very first second!
THE GARAGE QUICKLY BECAME TOO SMALL. HOW DO YOU PRODUCE TODAY?
Yes, I still have my first coffee with me I collected my Opel Astra from roasteries and at the university and processed it in the garage - that quickly no longer worked. Today the coffee is processed in Germany, and we then send the coffee oil to our partner in Italy for cosmetics production. The bottle production is right next door, so we can optimize the routes.
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?
Climate protection is extremely important to me, hence the short distances. I have calculated the emissions for each product, starting with the cultivation of the raw materials. We also compensate for all the CO2 we emit in the production and transport of our products. For example, we participate in climate protection projects to protect the rainforest in Indonesia or to reduce deforestation in Malawi by building wells. In addition, for every bottle sold, mellow NOIR donates a tree in a destroyed forest. We don't just say we're green - we go one step further!
THAT IS A HUGE COMMITMENT! WHAT DRIVES YOU?
I've always asked myself: How can I make the world a better place? That was also the reason for studying environmental sciences. I want to make a positive contribution to our society.
YOU RECENTLY HAVE A STRONG PARTNER ON THIS PATH: JUDITH WILLIAMS. HOW DO YOU REMEMBER THE DAY IN “THE LION’S DEN”?
I was super excited. But I told myself: whether I get a deal or not, at the end of the day I definitely won. Because I get feedback from entrepreneurs who have a lot more knowledge than me. Judith was always my dream lioness.
WHY?
I received three offers but didn't even have to consult. I really wanted to see Judith. She has a lot of experience and a large network in cosmetics - just right to get the most out of my idea!
HOW SHOULD WE IMAGINE YOUR FIRST STEPS?
She whispered the first product idea to me in the television studio! And so we got started straight away and developed new products such as a small “problem solver”, an immediately firming hyaluronic serum or a vitamin C serum that prevents light-induced skin aging. Judith and her team gave me great support and strategically improved my concept. Now I know exactly where the journey is going: what I'm doing - and what I'm improving on.