What I Learned from Redoux Summer Studio: Day 1
Yesterday was the first day we opened up the Redoux Lab to the public. There were a few reasons why we wanted to do it.
One reason is because we do so much in the lab content I felt like it was only natural to open up the space. Some of our highest performing content is where we are pouring, cutting, mixing the soap because showing the process behind the scenes is fun. We probably get at least a couple of messages a week along the lines of “We love the lab!” and “I would love to be able to come visit some day!” So these felt like a strong indicator that people would be willing to take some time to check it out.
Another reason is because Alejandro and I recently had a mental/emotional/business alignment meeting to really get to the core of what we wanted out of Redoux as well as what we wanted for current/future selves. We are both incredible extroverted individuals in very different ways, but we both love making the people around us feel welcome. My style of doing so is hosting parties with fantastic food and bringing together a bunch of people that don’t know each other but should (re: power networking) while Alejandro is more about laid back gatherings with small groups and having good ol’ fun. When we went through the exercise of “What do we want Redoux to be? And what do we want for ourselves?” We landed on this interesting place of experience. The way I described it was as “a curated destination where you don’t know exactly what you will get but you know you will love it because the people, food, art, experience will be top notch. Also great soaps” , while Alejandro described it as “bougie experience, also good food, vibes, and maybe hospitality.”
Lastly, we are only in the lab roughly 3-4 times a month, which I now recognize is a completely missed opportunity to create a IRL Redoux experience. As people are starting to get more comfortable going outside and looking for things to do, we have a spacious 950sq ft where we can let people come and hang, host events, teach workshops, show art, collaborate with cool people—you name it. Since core to the Redoux ethos is experience, we want to bring start weaving that into our strategy by allowing people to live it in the physical world, rather than just our instagram. In addition, I need to get over my ego about being a “New York/Brooklyn” brand because we are, in fact, located in Philadelphia. And since we will be here for the foreseeable future, or at least until our lease is up at the end of February 2022, we will be leaning into it and getting in touch with our new home city.
With all of these things in mind, we now how the creative space (both physically and mentally) to really build out what a true Redoux experience will look and feel like.
Stats
15 people came.
1 stranger (always amazing)
5 orders were placed.
Things that I noticed:
Snacks and Drinks are important
Of course, what is a proper experience without refreshments. The kombucha was really the star of the show, and the Popcorners made people feel cozy to hang about. One guest even mentioned that they were sold on coming because of the kombucha tasting.
People wanted to wash their hands at the sink
Currently, our sink isn’t the cutest thing in the space but it get the job done for washing hands. People enjoyed trying the soap in the sink, there just wasn’t a place to put it once they were done. Soap dish needed ASAP
People want to pick out their soaps from the drying racks
This was super fun to watch! Most people wanted to actually pick out the soap they wanted to purchases from the drying racks (also where our little tour would end). All that were there were misfits for now but maybe that can be worked into how we set up the space for next time.
People wanted to see what other projects we are currently working on
Even when they are living #BTS, people stilled wanted to know what else was going on at the lab, specifically when we got to the scent organ. Lots of the questions about the scent development process and how I decide what is made and what notes are chosen. Could be cool to include all of out scent inventory for people to smell and give feedback on—maybe a little scent library with cute books accompanying it (too much too soon Asia!)
People did not congregate around the table much
The event turned out to be less of a hangout and more of a “Get a lab tour and try the products!” which in my opinion is not bad.
Socializing is a little difficult in the space
If you are more familiar with the brand and come to sit and hang out because you already know people that is one thing, but if you are alone or in a big group its not the most natural thing to do.
One doesn’t really “shop” in the space
The way the lab is set up currently is more conducive as a come in and have a little tour rather than to shop around by picking things up and purchasing them. This may be better done if there is a separate area to just look at the products that is closer to the door/ has its own confined area (think Le Labo tables or Byredo counter) This could also be a challenge because there aren’t that many products.
Things I will do next time:
Let people know further in advance (We only gave 2 days notice before)
Find out if there are any Philadelphia “What to do this weekend” newsletters
Send it out to the newsletter people (also ahead of time)
Make a little tutorial of which door to go through
Announce the flavors of kombucha ahead of time
Get a little soap dish for the sink, and keep that area clear
start thinking about a shopping area