Kobee's

How Kobee's Lip Balm Grew to $4M in Sales from a Dorm Startup

Founded By

Kobe Harris

Monthly Revenue

$333K

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2019

Customer

B2C

Founded By
Kobe Harris: Monthly Revenue
$333K

Founders
1: Profitable
Yes

Year Started
2019: Customer
B2C

Who is Kobe Harris?

Kobe Harris, founder of Kobee's, began the business as a college student at Loyola University Chicago, driven by a passion for sustainable products and an interest in bees and the environment.

What problem does Kobee's solve?

Kobee's solves the problem of dry lips while reducing environmental impact by offering natural lip balms in compostable packaging, appealing to eco-conscious consumers seeking simple, effective skincare.

How did Kobe come up with the idea for Kobee's?

Kobe Harris identified the need for environmentally conscious personal care products during his time as a college student in Chicago, where he witnessed significant pollution in the urban environment. His interest in sustainability and love for bees guided him toward creating a clean and simple alternative to the conventional products that often contain harmful ingredients and contribute to plastic waste. Kobe started researching natural ingredients and sustainable packaging, ultimately focusing on beeswax due to its natural benefits and minimal environmental impact.

To validate his idea, Kobe conducted research on packaging and the benefits of beeswax while also experimenting with different lip balm formulas in his dorm room. With encouragement from peers and feedback from early users, he refined his formulation and packaging to ensure both quality and eco-friendliness. Despite the challenges of balancing academic responsibilities and his budding enterprise, Kobe harnessed the innovative energy of the college environment, which provided both inspiration and a supportive customer base to kickstart his business journey.

A key lesson Kobe learned was the importance of perseverance and patience, especially when testing ideas and refining products. He emphasizes the necessity of thorough research, leveraging school resources, and connecting with mentors and like-minded communities to navigate challenges and maintain a sustainable focus.

How did Kobe Harris build the initial version of Kobee's?

Kobe Harris built the first version of Kobee's beeswax lip balm by conducting research and using simple, natural ingredients such as beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and mango butter. He began the project on his bedroom floor in 2019, purchasing initial supplies with $200 from Amazon and utilizing resources available through his connections at Loyola University Chicago. The development process took approximately 7-8 months to finalize the formula, followed by another 6 months to begin selling the product. Building the product was a challenging and time-consuming process, involving multiple iterations and tests to achieve the desired quality and efficacy. Each lip balm was handmade, requiring careful handling from formulation to packaging, utilizing entirely compostable materials to maintain environmental sustainability.

What were the initial startup costs for Kobee's?

Initial Ingredients: Kobe started his business with a $200 investment from his mom to purchase ingredients on Amazon.

What was the growth strategy for Kobee's and how did they scale?

Kobee's has effectively utilized Instagram and TikTok to reach a broader audience. Their Instagram handle, @kobeesco.balms, and TikTok account, @Kobeesco, serve as platforms to visually showcase their eco-friendly products and communicate their brand values. Their content focuses on the product's sustainability aspects and engages users with informative posts about the benefits of natural ingredients and eco-friendly packaging.

embed:tiktok

Why it worked: These platforms allow for visually rich storytelling, which complements their product's aesthetic appeal and environmental message. The platforms are particularly effective for targeting younger demographics, who value sustainability and are highly active on social media. This approach helps build a community of engaged followers who resonate with their mission.

Direct-to-Consumer Website

Kobee's capitalized on its own direct-to-consumer (DTC) website, kobeesco.com, as a primary sales channel. The website offers a seamless shopping experience and provides detailed information about their products, such as the use of all-natural ingredients and compostable packaging.

Why it worked: Having a dedicated website allows Kobee's to control the entire customer experience—presenting their brand story, communicating their environmental goals, and directly facilitating sales. This direct connection to customers also enables them to collect valuable data and feedback to enhance their offerings and marketing strategies over time.

Partnerships and Networking

Kobe Harris actively engaged with local communities and clubs focused on sustainability and climate change. This networking not only raised awareness about Kobee’s mission but also aligned the brand with initiatives supported by their target market.

Why it worked: These efforts helped Kobee's tap into communities that overlap with their brand's values. Partnerships and networking foster goodwill and credibility, which are critical in the natural and organic product market. Engaging with environmentally conscious groups helped build trust and spread the brand's message through authentic channels.

What's the pricing strategy for Kobee's?

Kobee's prices its eco-friendly lip balms and other natural products between $5 to $42, focusing on sustainability with 100% compostable packaging.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building Kobee's?

Trust Your Gut: Kobe Harris learned the importance of trusting his instincts during his Shark Tank experience. Despite not receiving the investment, he stuck to his vision, emphasizing that knowing his business intimately allowed him to make the best decisions. Aspiring founders should remember that external advice is valuable, but their intuition about their business often holds the most weight.
Embrace Resilience: Building Kobee's wasn't a smooth journey, as Harris faced many ups and downs. He emphasized staying focused and patient, which eventually led to significant growth. For aspiring founders, perseverance and the ability to weather tough times are crucial to eventual success.
Focus on Quality: Kobee's success was rooted in its high-quality, sustainable products. Harris dedicated substantial time to creating a superior product, which became a cornerstone of the brand's identity. Aspiring entrepreneurs should prioritize excellence in their offerings to build trust and loyalty with customers.
Stay True to Your Values: Kobee's emphasizes eco-friendly practices in both product and packaging. Harris's commitment to sustainability resonates with socially conscious consumers. Aspiring founders should align their business with their core values, which can differentiate them in crowded markets.
Leverage Your Network: While still in college, Harris benefited from connecting with professors and peers to support his business. Networking provided insights and opportunities that assisted Kobee's growth. Aspiring entrepreneurs should actively seek relationships that could offer guidance, collaboration, and new perspectives.

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