Cosmoprof Northern America: Q&A with AROMASE Founder Eric Chen

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

As the 3^rd generation of a haircare ODM/OEM factory, I inherited 60 years of R & D technology knowledge. Additionally, my major in chemistry at university further pushed me to formulate plant herbal ingredients with efficacy for scalp care without medicine.  Prior to working for the company, I worked in my dream field – computing during my twenties, which was also essential for my scientific way of thinking to develop scalp & hair care ranges.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR OWN COMPANY?

My dad has been distressed by seborrheic dermatitis of greasy scalp for his whole life. For years, I was frustrated by the lack of daily haircare products designed to bring different skin types back to a healthy state.

I kept asking myself after hundreds of experiments:  What is the purpose of sitting in the lab and working hard if I couldn’t solve people’s scalp problems? Then, I’m just making an ineffective cleanser which cannot help others. “Trust, freedom, and return to the fundamentals of nature” have become my beliefs for life, and “solving the scalp problem” has become my destiny from then on. Do it, it’s now or never!

 

WHAT MAKES YOUR BRAND DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SHAMPOO BRANDS?

At the heart of ARMOSE is the idea of growth. Originally, I worked with a dermatologist, who considers the scalp an extension of the face, to create a natural formula for scalp & hair care products that convey a fresh experience and a trustworthy solution to make life simpler and better.

AROMASE has entered the international market with an environmentally friendly design “missing corner” and product force to draw attention on scalp care and people in need. Delivering the brand concept “Invisible needs, people who really need help can be seen,” AROMASE will become the driving force for a better world.

MacroHi has been officially certified B Corps, signifying companies that use profits and growth as a means to a greater end: positive impact for the employees, company governance, customer, communities, and the environment.

Dedication on CSR from 2016 in terms of care for caregivers, staff, and the environment is the significant driving power for AROMASE to remain continuously thinking inclusively and to be unique in the industry. Having scalp and earth breathe and grow is the brand spirit infused in AROMASE certified B Corp. and is the best force for the world.

 

DESCRIBE YOUR BRAND IN THREE WORDS.

Positive, friendly, confident.

WITHOUT GIVING AWAY TOO MANY OF YOUR SECRETS, WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE YOUR GROWTH TO BE NEXT YEAR AND WHAT IS YOUR DIRECTION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE BRAND?

With regards to growth next year, 2021 will be a year of double-time performance. Thanks to the value already been seen, it’s predictable that many powerful customers and partners will bring more possibilities for AROMASE.

The future direction of AROMASE is a focus on package sustainability, R&D, production process, and product development to become “the best company for the world.”

We will be taking corporate values as an important evaluation reference to collaborate with partners in the international market and assist them in developing local markets in a way that suits local conditions. Next year, we will expand our support for marketing localization.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE SOMEONE GAVE YOU? WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU TELL A BUDDING ENTREPRENEUR?

The best advice I received is to focus on product development and your business model.

I would like to suggest to new entrepreneurs to stay innovative and flexible and to maintain enthusiasm. Commodity transactions are no longer in making a profit but in gaining market recognition.

 

FINALLY, WHAT’S AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOU PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO HEAR?

In the beginning, I hoped to create a MIT hair product brand for international markets. In the early stage of product development, I stayed in the laboratory until 2:00 AM every single day for six years. I wanted to help more people have the correct concept of scalp care and visited nearly 80 hospitals and hundreds of clinics around Taiwan. I discussed scalp care and interacted with dermatologists to optimize formulas.

Because of the accumulation of fatigue and not taking good care of myself, I was once hospitalized for being overworked. I realized health is everything and a cornerstone in my life that kicked off my exercise routine. Now, I have countless medals from marathons and even a triathlon, which is a magnificent feat of mine.

Apart from the company management, I also have a fan page, Mr. Scalp, in which I share the correct concept of scalp care and tips to maintain healthy scalps.