Hollywood actress turned skincare mogul targets $2 million raise through crowdfunding

Former Hollywood actress and the founder of Australian natural skincare brand Vanessa Megan Skincare Vanessa Gray Lyndon has announced that the business is looking to raise up to $2 million with equity crowdfunding platform Birchal to grow and scale further, kicking off its capital raise this week.

With overseas opportunities knocking at the brand’s door and the growing demand for natural, organic skincare within the $7.2 billion clean beauty industry, the business is inviting its loyal customer base to become co-owners in the beauty success story.

The brand is also aiming to increase its operational footprint, with the focus on expanding its warehouse and lab which will be critical in helping to meet the growing demand for Vanessa Megan products.

As of the time of writing, according to the Birchal platform, the total invested so far is over $125,000 with 53 investors. The brand has also received almost 750 Expressions of Interest (EOI). 

After officially launching the natural skincare brand in 2013, Vanessa Gray Lyndon has taken the business from its humble beginnings at the Bondi Markets to a multimillion-dollar and global beauty empire.

Vanessa Megan Skincare offers skincare and wellness products that are Australian-made, manufactured, and distributed using 100% natural, and certified organic where possible, ingredients.

Vanessa Megan Skincare going from strength to strength 

The brand has recently launched its new range Metamorphosis, which is the first of its kind to specifically target menopausal skin and wellness.

During the last four years, Vanessa Megan has seen over $8 million in sales, while growing consecutively at 20% revenue growth and 17 consecutive quarters of year-on-year growth.

The brand has also seen its online sales grow by 54% in the last financial year alone.

Lyndon Gray said the brand had been considering a capital raise for a few months and after assessing options felt that crowdsourced funding was the right choice — particularly given the stage of the brand and also the level of funds the business is seeking.

“I have grown this business on the back of a tax return and then everything it makes goes straight back in to grow it to the next level,” she said. 

“With the growth that we are experiencing, I knew I needed help to get us to the next level, otherwise we would miss some vital opportunities overseas and locally. 

“I wanted to keep the ethos and brand values secure, so what better way than collaborating with the people who relate and affirm our core values than our customers? 

“It also makes them feel like they are investing in their own company every time they purchase their products.”

Lyndon Gray said she was extremely happy with the level of interest Vanessa Megan had received through the crowdfunding.

“The Investment Offer has just gone live into the early bird stage, which means it’s just opened to those who registered an EOI, giving them the opportunity to invest prior to the offer going live to the public later this week,” she said. 

Last month was the biggest month on record for Vanessa Megan Skincare, its first-ever month with over $500,000 in revenue. Not bad for a small team with twelve dedicated team members based in its HQ in Marrickville, Sydney, covering the office, warehouse and lab teams. 

The brand has around 70 stockists across Australia, factoring in its spa and salon partners plus other pure online retail stockists as well.

Lyndon Gray said historically the brand has grown itself into where it is today.

“No pun intended, but I have allowed its growth to be organic without a clear direction in mind,” she said. 

“Now with an appointed CEO and since we have found our home in the spa world and have international distributors knocking on our door, I see our future going deeper into these sectors. 

“We have a very clear business model that works, and almost four months into the year, we’re on track to absolutely smash through last year’s revenue. 

“Combined with funding, we believe we can continue to accelerate the business in Australia as well as internationally, where we have already commenced multiple discussions with interested distributors beyond the great partners we already have.”