Nathan and Aaron dissect Medik8’s unique “CSA” framework (Vitamin C in the morning, Sunscreen by day, Vitamin A at night), explaining how clear, habit-forming routines became a cornerstone for consumer loyalty and retention. The episode unpacks Medik8’s growth strategy, including their unconventional start through professional channels like medispas and dermatologists, the transition to retail and D2C, and their eventual partnership with private equity for rapid expansion into the US.

Glow Recipe. From their origins as ambitious executives at L'Oréal to becoming founders who redefined how the West thinks about skincare, Christine Chang and Sarah Lee's journey is packed with bold decisions, cultural insight, and some seriously impressive growth.

Nathan and Aaron unpack Glow Recipe’s evolution—from a K-beauty curation website born out of a mere $50,000 investment, to a fruit-forward, community-driven skincare powerhouse that’s become a best-seller in Sephora and pulled in over $300 million in revenue. They break down what made Glow Recipe stand out (hint: it’s not just watermelon masks) and discuss the smart supply chain maneuvers, viral community campaigns, and the huge brand pivot that fueled their rapid scale.

In this episode of Ecommerce On Tap, hosts Aaron Alpeter and Nathan Resnick take you through the incredible journey of Curology—the team that managed to build a $200 million brand not once, but twice. 🎉

We dive deep into:

• The founding story of Curology and its breakthrough in prescription teledermatology

• The complex regulatory and compliance hurdles of launching in the healthcare industry

• How Curology scaled from a niche telemedicine offering to a DTC powerhouse, and eventually, to major retail shelves like Target, CVS, Walmart, and Amazon

• The company’s remarkable post-pandemic pivot: how they navigated the decline in telehealth demand and reinvented themselves with OTC (over-the-counter) skincare products

• Behind-the-scenes insights into their supply chain, fundraising rounds, growth challenges, operational pivots, and leadership transitions

• Lessons for founders on spotting exit windows, adapting to market shifts, and whether personalization is a competitive moat—or a margin trap

Plus: Hot takes on celebrity economy trends (Sydney Sweeney’s brand impact!), presidential executive orders shaking up e-commerce, and why Curology’s story is a rare case study in business reinvention and resilience.