I’m recording the very first episode inside our new Beauty Industry Leaders Podcast studio, and I’m joined by husband-and-wife founders Kiri and Wesley of AMPERNA® - the topical postbiotic, microbiome-friendly skincare brand created for sensitive and reactive skin.

Kiri shares the deeply personal journey that led to building the brand, from pustular acne and rosacea to topical steroid withdrawal and the grief of losing her father. Wesley explains how his background in operational systems became the backbone of turning a personal solution into a globally recognised business. Together, we unpack what it really takes to bootstrap a skincare company in a competitive market.

This is an honest conversation about resilience, cashflow pressure, manufacturing stress, and choosing integrity over trend-chasing.

In this episode:

✨ How AMPERNA® was born from chronic skin struggles and personal loss
✨ The realities of bootstrapping: cashflow strain, product delays and contract lessons
✨ Navigating high-stakes manufacturing runs without external funding
✨ Founder-led marketing strategies: UGC, SEO, Meta ads and PR trade-offs
✨ Building genuine community - including gifting products to a young steroid withdrawal sufferer
✨ International expansion plans (US, UK, Japan), 3PL logistics and compliance risks

If you’re serious about building a product-based brand, this episode gives you a clear look at what sustainable growth actually demands - operational discipline, emotional resilience, and long-term thinking.

Connect with Kiri & Amperna

https://www.instagram.com/kiriyanchenko

https://www.instagram.com/ampernaskin

https://amperna.com

I want to empower women in the beauty industry to create an impact, build an empire, and leave their legacy!

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Business retreat in Vietnam
https://beautyindustryleaders.com.au/business-retreat-vietnam-feb-2026

If you have any questions about the episode, or have a burning question you’d like me to answer on the show, or if you’d like to join our movement of ambitious beauty leaders, connect with me and the rest of our incredible community on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedycoach/
https://www.instagram.com/beautyindustryleaders/