“Expanding from online to a retail store requires skin in the game. The American Express® Qantas Business Rewards Card gives me financial flexibility so I can continue to grow my business.”
This skincare entrepreneur has found a Card that works as hard as she does.
As Tribe Skincare approaches its fourth birthday, there’s quite a lot to celebrate. This rising beauty empire now has 15 products across its cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and all-natural range–something Kayla never imagined when she started with just $40,000 behind her.
It’s a long way from her humble beginnings working with her sister in Geelong. “We had a skin clinic for three years,” says Kayla. “Our customers wanted to use really great skincare, but some of their skin was too sensitive to handle all of the actives in it.”
Having found a gap in the market, Kayla began searching for products that were Australian made, results-driven and suitable for sensitive skin–but to her surprise, she found nothing.
“When I couldn’t find the products I wanted to use in my skin clinic and on my own skin, I thought I’d create my own,” explains Kayla. But this proved a little more challenging than she initially thought. “I went into it quite naively. It took a look of courage and hard work to turn the idea into its own brand.”
Starting with just four products, Tribe Skincare has grown remarkably in size and customer base–something Kayla keeps on top of with her American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card. “I got the Card 18 months ago, and it seemed like a no-brainer,” says Kayla.
Business growth like Kayla’s can often mean taking on a large amount of debt–but that’s not been the case for Tribe Skincare. “I’ve never taken out a business loan. The Card acts as my safety net,” she explains. By using the Card, this benefit can give Card Members access to a dynamic line of unsecured funding1.
It’s also a handy tool to manage cash flow with up to 51 days to pay for purchases2. “If we have bigger expenses one week to another, we can use the Card to pay for things, and then pay it back the next week when we’ve got the money,” says Kayla.
As an entrepreneur, Kayla is always looking for little advantages. That’s why she’s a big believer in using her American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card to earn 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday business expenses3– and use those points on a wide range of rewards.
“They add up so quickly that we’ve been able to get some big ticket items like the iMac and iPad in the warehouse,” says Kayla. The points she accrues have even been used for customer competitions. “We recently had a Smeg giveaway and I used our Qantas Points to buy the products,” says Kayla. “We’ve also given customers vouchers for shopping too.”
Kayla has even found a way to get more benefits from her marketing. “Our social media advertising accept Amex,” explains Kayla. “So, they’re basically generating Points for us daily in the background—plus they’re uncapped.” Another way the Card helps is when Kayla hosts events for the Tribe community. “We host pop-up events so our customer base can try the skincare while meeting their favourite beauty influencers. When the borders open up, we will be redeeming our Points to travel to these events too.”
In Kayla’s line of work, no two days are the same. “My role has changed a lot over the four years,” says Kayla. “Right now, I make sure everything’s operating smoothly, and then look for areas where we can grow the business.” She credits her American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card for being able to take advantage of the unexpected. “The Card gives me financial flexibility, so I can pay for large investments to grow my business.”
It’s been a meteoric rise for the sensitive skincare company–but more is on the horizon. Kayla has been meeting regularly with a large Australian retailer to get her products on their shelves. It’s something she’s excited about but knows comes with new challenges. “I hear that going into retailers is one of the most expensive things a business can do. It can really make or break a business,” says Kayla. The good news is, she has a secret weapon. “As they say, you’ve got to spend money to make money. The American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card definitely helps during our busy times.”
Whatever lies ahead, Tribe Skincare has a following of dedicated fans. “It’s always nice to have that positive feedback and knowing we’re actually making a difference in people’s everyday life,” says Kayla. And to any aspiring entrepreneurs, she has a simple message, “My secret to business success? The secret is to just keep going
American Express approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. Fees and charges apply. All information is correct as of 10 July 2024 and is subject to change. This offer is only available to those who reside in Australia. Cards are offered, issued, and administered by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085). ®Registered Trademark of American Express Company. A $450 annual Card fee applies.
1. No pre-set spending limit does not mean unlimited spending. Your purchases are approved based on a variety of factors, including current spending patterns, your payment history, credit records, and financial resources known to us.
2. Extend your cash flow by up to 51 days: Depending on your method of payment, when you make a purchase, when your statement is issued and whether or not you are carrying forward a balance on your account from your previous statement period. If you pay by direct debit, your payment will be processed 10 days after your statement is issued.
3. A business must be a Qantas Business Rewards Member to earn Qantas Points for business. Membership and the earning of Qantas Points as a business are subject to the Qantas Business Rewards Terms and Conditions. Points are earned in accordance with and subject to the American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card Points Terms and Conditions. Your business will earn 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 of everyday spend, which does not include annual fees, late payment fee and fees and charges for foreign currencies. Your business will earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at participating merchants classified as "utilities" including gas, water and electricity providers; "government" including the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Postal Corporation, federal/state and local government bodies; and "insurance" excluding insurances offered by American Express. Industry specific earn rate may apply when you use a payment account, payment aggregator, services of a third party or online retailers that sell goods for another merchant. For example a payment made to Local Government bodies processed through a payment aggregator may earn rates at the government earn rate. Your business will earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent on the following Qantas Products and Services purchased on the Qantas merchant account (i.e. directly from Qantas): Qantas passenger flights (with a QF flight number), Qantas Holidays, Qantas Branded non-airfare products, and Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas Club membership joining and annual fees. Excludes Jetstar. For the full list of exclusions, please refer to the American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card Points Terms and Conditions. From 10 January 2024, once you have earned a total of 500,000 Qantas Points on your Card Account in a calendar year, your earn rate of 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent will change to 0.75 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday business purchases. All other earn rates (Qantas products, services and government, utilities and insurances spend) will remain unchanged. The points threshold is based on eligible Qantas Points earned during a calendar year and will be reset on 1 January each year. Qantas Points earned by all Card Members on a Card Account contribute to the 500,000 points threshold each calendar year. Bonus points earned from Acquisition bonus offers and marketing campaigns are excluded from the threshold.
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