Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 20, 2018 | Worcester Business Journal 13 in the country's largest retailers shocking for how difficult it is to be in the same aisle as products from major corporations. Any new product has to bump off an existing one. "For someone they've never heard of," he said, "that's a tough breakthrough." Moran, who spent most of her childhood in Maine, first envisioned a career as a broadcaster. She went to UMass Amherst and then the Con- necticut School of Broadcasting, but couldn't make any traction. She was dyslexic. Moran then worked for Heroes & Legends, a seller of licensed sports memorabilia, and then entered the apparel industry. Moran's mother worked in cosmetics for Mary Kay and Avon, so the beauty care market was not too foreign. Aer her surgery, Moran took something already on the market – compression wear that's been made pop- ular by Under Armor and Lululemon – and applied moisturizer. is was before the investment show "Shark Tank," where entrepreneurs can pitch their ideas to investors and a TV audience, and Moran jokes Skineez's rise would have been even faster if she had been able to get on such a show. But once she got Hill's ear, she was on her way. Staying on the shelves Skineez investors wanted to make sure the prod- uct was the real deal, so they invested in third-party clinical trials. Along the way, Skineez got U.S. Food & Drug Administration approval and was eligible for reimbursement through Medicare and Medicaid. is year, it was approved to be sold to the U.S. military for its skin-repairative abilities. Moran said she hopes to start designing Skineez products for prosthetics. Skineez products – ranging from $19.99 socks to $48 tights – are infused with shea butter, Vitamin E, rosehip oil and other skin-healing ingredients delivered to the skin through friction. ose ingre- dients last up to 10 washes, aer which a spray can be bought for $10 to $20 to apply more. Eight out of 10 people in trials said they felt smoother skin in an hour, according to the company. "e fabric is actually delivering it to you," Mo- ran said. Skineez has built up enough buzz largely through testimonials it's been featured on the "Today Show," in InTouch magazine, and on TV programs in Connecticut and New York. e company bought a billboard in Times Square. Skineez uses a factory in North Carolina and still operates out of a small 15-person office on Route 20 in Sudbury. It did not disclose financial figures. Skineez finds itself as a player in the multi- billion-dollar beauty care industry. A Groupon study of 2,000 American adults last summer found women spend an average of $3,756 a year on their appearance, and men spend $2,928, totals including gym memberships. For having so many large players in the beauty care industry, it would seem to be only a matter of time until a Johnson & Johnson makes a similar product – or makes a move for Skineez itself. "at's why being a first mover really makes a difference," Hill said of Skineez bringing such a product before anyone else. As for whether the company might go public or consider selling to a larger competitor, Hill is open-minded. "Who knows what will be appropriate and when," he said. WORCESTER • FRAMINGHAM • MILFORD • HYANNIS Growing a successful business isn't easy. There are plenty of turns, pivots and restarts along the way. With S&G's knowledge, technical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and experience behind you, you'll have the tools, resources and services to help you succeed. • Accounting & Tax Services • Business Consulting • Business Transition • Financial Services • Investment Management • Retirement Planning 508-757-3311 www.sgllp.com SUCCESS ISN'T A STRAIGHT LINE. We'll be here to support you along every twist and turn. W

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