# Founder Feature: JoLynn Henke and Peter Clarkson

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2024-05-24
- Length: 36m
- Episode: 41
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-05-24-founder-feature-jolynn-henke-and-peter-clarkson
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9223b220

## Summary

JoLynn Henke and Peter Clarkson, co-founders of Protéger, discuss their eco-luxury skincare brand and its flagship product, Dermal Serum, a full-body, unisex formula born from JoLynn’s experience caring for her mother with ALS. They explain their strategy of targeting diverse use cases—from tattoo preservation to post-manicure hydration—to bypass saturated traditional beauty channels and secure retail partnerships through personal connections, such as with Figgy Co. The founders also detail how they turned a logistics failure involving damaged inventory into a successful 'rescue bottle' charity initiative with the Beagle Freedom Project, while emphasizing their commitment to gender-neutral marketing and clean ingredients.

## Outline

1. Introduction and Origin Story
2. Product Concept and Full-Body Versatility
3. Marketing Strategy and Unisex Positioning
4. Retail Expansion and Personal Connections
5. Handling Damaged Inventory with Rescue Bottles

## Topics

- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Protéger (company)
- Dermal Serum (product)
- Figgy Co. (company)
- Beagle Freedom Project (company)
- Clean in Boxes (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Dermalogica: Jane Wurwand (2016)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-04-23-dermalogica-jane-wurwand-2016) (How I Built This)
- [EO Products: Susan Griffin-Black & Brad Black](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-07-15-eo-products-susan-griffin-black-brad-black) (How I Built This)
- [Supergoop!: Holly Thaggard (2020)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-28-supergoop-holly-thaggard-2020) (How I Built This)
- [Aden + Anais: Raegan Moya-Jones (2019)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-08-26-aden-anais-raegan-moya-jones-2019) (How I Built This)
- [Thrive Causemetics: Karissa Bodnar. How a Beauty Business Made Millions for a Mission](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-09-14-thrive-causemetics-karissa-bodnar-how-a-beauty-business-made-millions-for-a-miss) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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