the tail end of a harsh Canadian winter). Bio: After more than 20 years working on the client and agency sides of consumer products and services businesses (including Bristol-Myers, AT&T, CIBC, Molson and Microsoft), Bill Baker was no stranger to positioning and branding Fortune 500 companies and their brands. Conventional wisdom says you can’t have it all, but Consonant Skincare’s Bill Baker is proving otherwise. But it helps me blow off steam and it keeps me sane. Bill’s tip: “Using the same razor forever can cause all kinds of stress to skin. This is (part of) why I’m genuinely so thrilled to have been able to witness the constant growth and continued success of Consonant Skincare; a Toronto-based Canadian skincare company that’s dedicated to creating great natural products for their customers. E7: Where do you go or what do you do to look for inspiration? Consonant Skincare products are also award-winning, clinically proven and high performance. This shaving cream gives you the perfect shave. Consonant Organic Foaming Face Wash We believe that great skin is made even better with healthy habits. Successful marketing requires planning and resources. I did lots of research and was shocked to discover the conventional products I was buying to get relief from my problems were actually causing my problems. Apply to towel-dried hair for shaping and dry hair for definition. Learn about Skin + Mind below. We formulate award-winning, clinically-proven natural skincare products. With respect to resources, the most important is money. We make clinically proven, award winning natural skin care products and pair them with wellness tips to help you discover your best skin. It sounds like a cliché, but it is true. Our products are formulated to provide potent and persistent hydration above all else, and that benefits everyone regardless of skin type. Consonant Skincare’s value proposition could see it expand its base of stores well beyond the Toronto market — with prices that are mid-range and quality that is unmatched, the brand anticipates gaining and maintaining loyalty by supplying exceptional products in friendly, attractive retail spaces. In fact, his Toronto-based skincare brand claims to offer 100 percent natural products which are also made in Canada. Like the Proenza Schouler collab for MAC Cosmetics, this next product is a best-seller product for good reason. The brand combines all-natural formulas with luxe packaging and effective results and its HydrExtreme® is a Canadian Beauty Innovation Awards Grand Prize Winner. I always shave after a shower, which softens my beard and ensures my skin doesn’t get red or irritated.”. But most importantly, customers can connect with our Regimen Coaches. Passersby are invited to reach out and touch the brick, concrete and cracked surfaces they see daily, drawn in with subtle copy that says things like "If your skin feels as rough as…", … Get the latest beauty and fashion news, trends, and more—straight to your inbox! The location and timing of the pop-up was key, says Bill Baker, founder and CEO of Consonant Skincare, pointing out that he wanted to target high-earning professionals who could afford the “luxury” skincare item during the time they would need it most (a.k.a. Typically, good marketing programs aren’t free, but at the same time, they don’t have to be expensive. E7: In an age where more shopping is happening online, how does retail and your flagship locations still benefit your business and customers? But in our new store, customers will have an experience. My Consonant Skincare at-home regimen: Organic Foaming Face Wash ($18), HydrExtreme ($72) and DHE Mask ($45). Craig Patterson, now based in Toronto, is the founder and Editor-in-Chief Retail Insider. Learn about Skin + … Frizz won’t stand a chance with Bill’s choice for added texture. So this can make distribution a challenge, not just outside of Canada, but even within our own borders. What is most important, is that they are engineered to deliver results. You may unsubscribe from promotional messages at any time. These are the people that help me the most. Press alt + / to open this menu. Carly Ostroff, Writer: This former PR girl turned fashion and beauty writer is keeping The Kit readers up-to-date on the season’s biggest trends. Consonant Skincare - - Rated 4.5 based on 24 Reviews "Thank you, Bill and Kristina for your thoughtfulness. But we recognize great skin is about more than just great skin care. © 2018, The Kit, a division of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, One Yonge Street, 4th floor, Toronto, ON, M5E 1E6, 416-945-8700. Sign Up. BB: Since day one I have considered Consonant Skincare a global brand that originated in Canada. Your personal information will be used to better tailor the offers, promotions and other communications and materials that we deliver. When you pair award-winning products with our care suggestions and expert-led wellness events, you can take your skin+care practice to … I’m going to share at not-so-well-kept beauty editor secret: on most days, we have a flood of products spilling over our workspaces. Then I met the founder, Bill who is a super nice guy and I liked the brand even better. We believe Consonant Skincare can live at the foundation of every person’s skin care regimen. “I like to say we’re skin care, not salad dressing,” says the line’s founder, Bill Baker. Schaf Skin Care for Men 01 Shave, $20. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Consonant HydrExtreme, $72. It can be challenging, it can be frustrating, and it will probably take a lot longer than you think. See our, Why Women Skip Meals to Save Up for Beauty Products, Proenza Schouler collab for MAC Cosmetics, Consonant Ultra Moisturizing Organic Face Cream for Dry Skin. But now that investment is paying off, so I’m glad I did it. And I am constantly inspired by the creativity of others, so I love design books because they showcase this talent and they demonstrate that with imagination, the most beautiful things can be created. BB: I’m often surprised when I talk to entrepreneurs in the early days of their start ups and they haven’t given any consideration to marketing. A lot of our customers with normal and combination skin love it too.”. Shick Quattro Titanium Razor, $16. BB: It goes without saying you will hear “no” a lot when you start a new business. Keep reading to meet Bill and his company! About fifteen years ago a co-worker was making natural soap at home and bringing it to the office to sell. E7: Who are some of your mentors/role models? E7: Tell us about your new retail concept on Queen West? We talked to founder Bill Baker to find out more about how he is working to change our perceptions of natural skincare. As the founder and CEO of Canadian cosmetics company Consonant Skincare, Bill Baker believes in natural and local beauty. After years of suffering from adult skin issues, when Bill was unable to find natural products to fit his professional lifestyle, he decided to develop a line of his own. It’s no secret that supporting local and up-and-coming Canadian brands is a passion of mine, but over the years I’ve come to realise a few things: Not every local brand is great, not every local brand will succeed, and not many local brands will survive beyond their first year of business. BB: I’m glad I didn’t know what I didn’t know before I started this business. Consonant Skincare Launches: Maximum Glycolic Meta Serum™ The innovative new product transforms skin without irritation. Baker launched Consonant in 2009, after his struggle with dry skin and eczema left him inspired to open his own skincare company. BB: We like to say Consonant Skincare is for people with skin. One of my most favourite things about the company, however, is the founder himself, Bill Baker, because he happens to be one of the loveliest and most gracious people you will ever meet–which is a quality I really love in people in general, but it’s always really refreshing to find in a leader. You will see and feel remarkable results from Consonant Ultra Firming Organic Eye Cream from the very first use. I reached for the natural bar, and without exaggeration, my skin issues went away over night. I’m a Virgo, so I love habit and routine. Consonant Skincare - - Rated 4.5 based on 22 Reviews "Thank you, Bill and Kristina for your thoughtfulness. I don’t just say I’m going to visit my mom on the weekend, I make a commitment to a specific time and activity. What goes on your body goes in your body® 6. BB: I admire anyone who has become a master of something. Being an entrepreneur may sound desirable and cool, but true #entrepreneurlife is extremely hard work that’s both difficult and challenging. But I was finding I was losing balance as I struggled to stay on top of everything happening in my personal and professional lives. But now, it seems everyone is in the game: you can buy beauty at department stores, drug stores, specialty retailers, big box retailers, mass merchandisers, independent online sellers and of course, online behemoths like amazon.com. With agency Zulu Alpha Kilo, Consonant Skincare broke ground on Toronto's Queen Street West with an outdoor campaign that uses local textures to create tactile experiences. 4. Like most clever ideas, the campaign is simple. Ever since, the line has become one of Canada’s favourite premium brands for advanced all-natural skin-care solutions. So we will only achieve our vision if we offer products that are more than just 100% natural, because natural only gets you so far. It’s also very thick, so wet hands before adding a dollop. A Detox Market promotion . A foaming lather that offers a deep clean, Bill can’t keep this face wash in stock. Kristina Breckon, Consonant Skincare's VP of Marketing & Operations, talks about her personal employment journey, how it helped her become effective within Consonant, and shares what contributes to its longevity in the skincare industry. BB: Buying online is very functional, and has become an almost commoditized transaction. Consonant is a Canadian skincare line that carries everything from sunscreen, to serums and face masks. 5. Since Bill just opened up his third brick and mortar Consonant Skincare location in Toronto, this time on West Queen West (just a hop, skip and a jump from Trinity Bellwoods), I couldn’t think of a better person to interview for our latest #FounderFiles feature. We plan a year in advance, but we refine our plan constantly, so we can respond to a changing marketplace. Now that she’s stepping out from behind the scenes to the front lines, keep an eye on Carly here for the inside scoop on runway news and beauty fixes. Founder Céline Tadrissi was inspired by the Canadian wilderness to create her skincare line, and takes pains to source ingredients—like their proprietary Céla Complex, a blend of six Canadian botanical extracts—wherever possible. Consonant Ultra Moisturizing Organic Face Cream for Dry Skin 18 personnes étaient ici. Consonant HydrExtreme. Where do you focus your resources? These early adopters were typically shopping for their personal care products in health food stores, which didn’t appeal to me. Bill’s Tip: “A little of this molding paste goes a long way, and lasts a long time. BB: This isn’t always easy. Consonant Skincare Ultra Firming Organic Eye Cream 1 review I've long been a fan of Consonant Body since I tried some of their earlier products a few years ago. Our new store on Queen Street West in Toronto will allow us to make good on this promise, and to deliver everything you need to discover your best skin all in one place. We talked to founder Bill Baker to find out more about how he is working to change our perceptions of natural skincare. The founder of natural skin-care line Consonant Skincare, Bill Baker, opens up his kit to The Kit so we can take a peek inside to see what products he uses. E7: As company based in Canada, do you have international goals and why? For latest in fashion and beauty, pick up a copy of The Kit’s print edition found inside The Toronto Star on Thursdays, and The Vancouver Sun, Edmonton Journal, Calgary Herald, Ottawa Citizen and Montreal Gazette on Saturdays.