# Founder Feature: Jilleo Recio of RĒJINS

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2024-10-18
- Length: 40m
- Episode: 87
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-10-18-founder-feature-jilleo-recio-of-rejins
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/22091695

## Summary

Jilleo Recio, founder of RĒJINS, a luxury skincare brand for maturing, melanin-rich skin, explains how his time in Singapore inspired a serum that challenges skin-lightening norms. He details the arduous process of sourcing a contract manufacturer and chemist, overcoming high MOQs and pandemic-related delays to launch the All Encompassing Serum. Recio emphasizes the critical role of networking, attending pop-up events, and finding a mentor to secure boutique retail placements and grow the brand from a side hustle to a full-time venture.

## Outline

1. Introduction: RĒJINS and the All Encompassing Serum
2. Inspiration: Singapore, Skin Lightening, and Brand Origins
3. Sourcing Challenges: MOQs, Pandemic Delays, and Finding a Manufacturer
4. Formulation: Working with Chemists and Iterating Samples
5. Launch Strategy: Pop-ups, Networking, and Boutique Retail
6. Mentorship and Future Goals: Expanding Distribution

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- RĒJINS (product)
- All Encompassing Serum (product)
- House of M Beauty (company)
- Messiah (company)
- In Cosmetics (other)

## 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)
- [Supergoop!: Holly Thaggard (2020)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-28-supergoop-holly-thaggard-2020) (How I Built This)
- [Tatcha: Vicky Tsai (July 2020)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-02-tatcha-vicky-tsai-july-2020) (How I Built This)
- [Aden + Anais: Raegan Moya-Jones](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-07-17-aden-anais-raegan-moya-jones) (How I Built This)
- [Briogeo: Nancy Twine](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-08-10-briogeo-nancy-twine) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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