AKT Therapy is a line of luxurious, organic skincare products that protect skin from the sun and the elements.
The brand was founded in 2016 by Janus Auermann. This woman is a powerhouse with a vision. She works hard, she’s patient, and she always perseveres, no matter what challenges come her way.
I met Janus in 2017. She already had a logo and a first round of product labels done by a design agency in Mexico, where she started the company. Beautifully executed, the look is minimal, moody, and classic, with a playful side. (FYI, this is a lot more fun to work with than a company that had their logo done on fiverr.)
Having been in business for less than a year, she wasn’t exactly running things with a Chanel-level budget. But that doesn’t seem to slow her down. Being the motivated DIYer that she is, she’d already begun to piece together a website and some sales materials for the brand.
When we first met, she gave me the task of cleaning up her website. As the business grew, this quickly evolved into the broader task of building her brand upwards and outwards from every angle.
I wrote copy, product descriptions, and helped tell her brand story. I designed product labels and packaging. I shot the product photography for her e-commerce store. I created sales, marketing, and promotional materials. I prepared training materials and videos. I even helped name new products!
Helping to build a brand from the ground up is so. much. work. Filled with exhilarating highs in moments of success, and discouraging lows when things don’t go as well as you’d hoped.
The work is hard, but it’s truly rewarding. I love getting to work closely alongside such an enthusiastic (and comedian-level funny) client. She makes products I believe in (and actually use!), which is an absolute dream come true.
Sunscreen has never been cool or fun, and it’s definitely not sexy. But AKT Therapy is changing that.
Me though? I’m just a big dork. Here I am using the Lip Balm & Face Stick SPF 30 on my trip to Oaxaca, Mexico.
