Podcast 280: Can a small beauty brand change the world?

In an industry dominated by multinationals and million-unit launches, it’s easy to feel like being a “small” beauty brand is synonymous with being insignificant. But what if this wasn’t true?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier unpacks the true meaning of “small” in the indie beauty industry and challenges the mindset that sometimes holds brands back.

Following last week’s insightful interview with Dan Williams, CEO of Orean – a UK contract manufacturer that produces 30 million units annually – Lorraine dives into the nuances of size, scale, and ambition in the indie beauty sector.

Is your label of “small” empowering you, or is it holding you back? From batch sizes to bold missions, this episode will shift how you think about growth, visibility, and impact in the world of green and indie beauty.

Whether you’re just launching your brand or you’ve been in business for years, this is your reminder that small beauty brands aren’t just capable of change – they’re often the ones driving it.

“Small isn’t always the opposite of big. Sometimes, it’s a mindset more than a measurement.” — Lorraine Dallmeier

Key takeaways:

• Small is relative and contextual. Whether it’s 100 jars of moisturiser or 10,000 units of product, what defines a “small beauty” brand varies widely. Lorraine explores how size in beauty isn’t just a number: it’s about mindset, mission, and systems.
• Indie brands often lead with innovation and values. Small brands are typically first to challenge industry norms – from sustainability and diversity to ingredient sourcing and cultural storytelling. Because they’re nimble, they can test, iterate, and pivot quickly – often before the big players catch on.
• Being small can be strategic, but don’t let it become a limitation. Many indie brand founders consciously choose to stay lean and agile. But Lorraine warns that clinging to the label of “small” can become a shield that prevents growth, visibility, and impact if not examined critically.
• Real-world examples prove that small beauty brands can spark global change. From Evelyn Akande of Kanda Natural tackling colourism through formulation, to Sandra Velasquez of Nopalera amplifying Latino identity through brand storytelling, Lorraine spotlights Formula Botanica graduates who prove that cultural impact doesn’t depend on company size.
• Your mindset around scale could be the real issue. Lorraine challenges listeners to ask more meaningful questions than “Am I small?” Instead, consider: Are you aligned with your values? Are you building sustainably? Are you positioning yourself to make a real difference? These are the markers of a brand ready to change the world.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Lorraine Dallmeier

Lorraine Dallmeier is a Biologist, Chartered Environmentalist and the CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetic science school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica Team.