Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Funasaki.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Over the last few years, many of my friends asked me for skincare advice or products because they saw me putting on various creams, toners, and lotions. I started realizing that what my Korean mother taught me at a young age about skin care was not the norm, and many people didn’t do ANYTHING for their skin! My aunt is also a skincare specialist in Korea, so as a family we had the idea of being importing great skincare products from Seoul with the help of our experienced family and friends.
I’ve always wanted to start a business and had brainstormed various ideas, but realized that skincare is something that I’m already interested in and helping people with – I enjoy helping them feel more beautiful and confident by slowing the aging process and focusing on self-care in an easily sustainable way. To provide this for the masses, I felt that the best area to start with would be sheet masks. They are lightweight and easy to ship, plus allow for 20-30 min of relaxation during your day, and you don’t need to wash anything off like normal masks we see. It would be easy to adapt at least 1/week for most people.
Now 2 years later, Mask Box is a thriving business that has grown year after year with minimal marketing and great word of mouth clients. The subscription box format allows for people to receive what they choose for their skin (anti-aging, hydration, combo, sensitive, etc) and not have to worry about buying products each month. We’ve recently revamped our brand and website, and continuing to focus on spreading the word of Mask Box for its ease of order, effectiveness, and great price point!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I feel that the first few months were the hardest because everything was a first-time experience in building a business. From making a website, incorporating the company, finding the manufacturers for packing…. everything was a process that took a lot of time. Additionally, people watching out for me also made me question why I was doing all of this work and would it be really worth it. You have to believe in your idea and yourself above and beyond everything else to push forward.
Later in the business, we had to continuously adapt as it grew, including figuring out better ways to market and not waste time or money on “false advertising”. For example, there were bloggers/influencers that claim large followings and sales but really had “fake followers”. We do a majority of our business online, and this industry evolves frequently, so we have to go with the flow and try to stay ahead.
Mask Box – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Mask Box is a family-run subscription box company focused on sharing carefully selected sheet masks from Seoul, Korea. Our mission is to provide sheet masks on a regular basis, hence navigating the advanced world of Korean skincare for our customers at an affordable price, so that you can try various masks to find the right product for your skin type. We also help you stick to a skincare regiment through your selected delivery schedule.
We believe that the sheet mask is the easiest step to incorporate into a daily or weekly routine. There is minimal time (20 min.) and no rinsing needed after you mask! Many clients often tell us it’s the most relaxing part of their day to take some time to themselves.
I would say that we set ourselves apart first because we have support coming from a doctor in Seoul who has first-hand experiences, advice, and exposure to what the latest skincare development is. Also, we categories our mask by skincare type, so people can select or later switch types of boxes. Lastly, we are priced VERY well with 3 masks/month for just $9.99. We want everyone to be able to try this out and see the benefits for themselves, so we’re not trying to overcharge or get high margins, but rather looking for the quantity of consumers to help us succeed.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I feel that success is defined by our customers. If they are happy with the quality and service, then we are a great company. We aim to provide the best service possible with quick responses and when customers do not receive their box for one reason or another, we will send another one out to them without question. Hence, the markers we focus on our client retention and client growth, especially through word-of-mouth.
Pricing:
- Most boxes contain 3 masks/month for $9.99.
- Double boxes are 6 masks/month for $19.99.
- You receive price discounts for longer subscriptions: from 3 mo, 6 mo, and 12 mo. long.
- The Luxury Mask Box contains 2 masks/month for $19.99 (includes creams, hydrogel material, etc)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maskboxbeauty.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maskbox/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maskboxbeauty/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mask_box
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
