Founded by Alix Samuda, Aura Lotus specialises in creating high-quality makeup products made from natural and organic ingredients. Their mission is to provide customers with safe and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional makeup, while promoting a healthy and sustainable beauty industry.
Founded by Alix Samuda, Aura Lotus specialises in creating high-quality makeup products made from natural and organic ingredients.
Their mission is to provide customers with safe and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional makeup, while promoting a healthy and sustainable beauty industry.
Believing in the power of nature, the business strives to enhance their customers natural beauty without compromising their health or the environment.
Establishing a sustainable brand in a rapidly growing sector
“The natural and organic makeup industry is a dynamic and rapidly growing sector, but it also faces specific challenges in marketing and social media,” says Alix.
When looking at the challenges in these areas, Alix highlighted that building brand awareness and recognition among consumers requires creative marketing strategies. In the new digital age, creating content that is compelling and visually appealing is vital in capturing a consumer’s attention.
Through the Higher Level Skills Match project, part-funded by the European Social Fund, Alix was supported by an Account Manager to place two interns from Birmingham City University.
“They played a crucial role in assisting me with content creation and email marketing. The interns brought their creative skills, fresh perspectives, and knowledge of digital marketing strategies to the table. I worked closely with them to develop engaging content for various platforms, including social media, blogs, and the website,” says Alix.
How student talent can positively impact your business
Many small businesses can find it challenging to balance the time with day-to-day running of the business and looking how they can market to potential businesses and customers.
Working collaboratively with universities to access talent, businesses can receive valuable knowledge whilst also allowing students to receive the experience to help with them becoming work-ready when they complete their degrees.
When Alix was starting her business, one challenge that needed to be overcome was the need for specialised expertise and innovative ideas in marketing to stay competitive in the market. HLSM provided the support in recruiting individuals with a deep understanding of both marketing and social media.
“The interns introduced me to digital content creation strategies, such as trending marketing topics email marketing optimization and analytical skills. They brought fresh ideas and perspectives to content strategies, helping me develop high-quality blog articles, social media posts and website content,” says Alix, adding that “their creativity and knowledge of industry trends added value to my brand’s content marketing efforts. Their contributions improved the brands online presence, content quality and campaign performance.”
“Yes, I’d definitely recommend.”
Reflecting on her relationship working with both Birmingham City University and the Higher Level Skills Match project, Alix adds:
“Ultimately, my collaboration with BCU and the interns has been mutually beneficial, with the interns bringing new knowledge and skills to my business while gaining valuable real-world experience. Hiring interns who proved to be a good fit for your company allows you to benefit from their contributions and invest in their professional growth.”
Working together and recruiting interns enhanced the businesses content marketing and improved email marketing campaigns. This contribution helped Alix to establish a consistent brand presence, engage target audiences effectively and drive traffic to the website. The work of the students not only saved time and resources, but “also brought a level of professionalism and creativity to my marketing initiatives,” says Alix.
Aura-Lotus is one of many businesses who have benefitted from local student talent. For example, OpenDorz has also worked closely with the project to recruit for marketing support.
Interested in gaining new skills, knowledge and talent? Find out how HLSM can help you. More information on assistance for SMEs can be found via our business growth support page.
