Founder Julia Schauer in conversation with bestselling author Martina Parker
Congratulations on your first birthday as Queen Mum. Looking back, what was the best thing that happened this year?
That moment when, after years of tinkering, researching, and developing, I held the first finished pens from the lab in my hand. I just thought: Wow, so this is it. Almost surreal.
And what was the worst moment?
When I was sure that after many ups and downs everything was finally on track, the German manufacturer, who was commissioned with the production of my formulations, unexpectedly pulled out at short notice. I really thought, this is it, back to square one. In the end, however, every disadvantage has an advantage. I found a super competent manufacturer with a laboratory in Vienna in a very short time. Thanks to the proximity, much closer cooperation is now possible, and we also save on transport routes.
Anyone who knows you knows that you are a perfectionist.
Oh God, yes. I'm afraid I drove the lovely illustrator who designed my packaging crazy, for example. No, the corner of the mouth has to be a little higher, no, that one hair please to the left... I really wanted everything to be perfect. In the meantime, I've learned that I can also make compromises from time to time. For example, with the background color of a packaging, which was a little different than expected despite a previous test print. In such moments, I think of my yoga teacher and do what she always preaches: Inhale, exhale, move on. But where I never compromise is on the quality of the products. The skin care effect is paramount for me.
Three different lip balms and a multi-use skin care balm. The Queen of Green range is growing. What new products can we look forward to soon?
I am currently working on another tinted lip care in a natural, rather warm red tone and an anti-aging hand care – both will, of course, again come in plastic-free cardboard sleeves. Product development this time is just as exciting and challenging as the first time – only hopefully it won't take two years now, but who knows?!
Did you imagine your job as a cosmetic producer this way?
Yes and no. I knew quite a bit about the cosmetics business from my previous job as a beauty editor. What I underestimated a bit: As a one-woman show, I don't just have one job now, but many. I'm a researcher, product developer, salesperson, marketing manager, accountant, social media content manager, and so on. On the other hand, I find exactly that exciting. To do something you can't do yet, to learn and grow from it – that's really exciting.
Keyword Female Empowerment. Do you experience support from other women in your job?
Absolutely. I met other natural cosmetic manufacturers on Instagram, and a really great, appreciative community has developed in the meantime. We're all in the same boat, after all. I think it's great that we support each other so much.
Staudigl, Mooi, etc., the Queens have already conquered some of the most renowned natural cosmetics temples. Congratulations on this accolade.
I am absolutely delighted about it and happy about the cooperation and, above all, that reorders are placed regularly. Because that shows me that I am on the right track.
It is always said that one becomes addicted to lip care, is there any truth to that?
With Queen of Green, the opposite is rather the case. Customers write to me that they have to reach for the pen less and less often because it provides such good and, above all, lasting care. Actually counterproductive for my business, when I think about it. But that's exactly how it should be. My claim is and remains: care that works.