Written by: Jasmine Biju
This is a blog report of an interview between DermaTeens Executive Director Ellis Schroeder and Letitu Corp Alliance Manager Steven Joh. We would like to thank Steven for dedicating his time, as well as the whole Letitu Corp team, which has been a wonderful partner of DermaTeens’.
Image Source: Forbes
The cosmetic industry has experienced tremendous growth over the past decades, thanks to the growing awareness of skincare and the rise in demand for more options and variety in products.
It is no surprise therefore that the industry is constantly expanding and evolving as Steven Joh would have you know having spent several years as an overseas sales manager in the cosmetic industry.
Steven Joh’s journey working in the cosmetic industry can be traced back to Korea where he grew up. He developed an interest in manufacturing, a crucial sector of the Korean economy, early on. Armed with a degree in Economics from SUNY Stony Brook, Steven started working in the cosmetic industry where his leadership and communication experiences as a board member for schools clubs as well as founding a volunteer organization proved to be invaluable in his new job.
As a sales manager, Steven's work encompassed a myriad of responsibilities as he explains in an interview with Derma Teens: “As an overseas sales manager, my role also involved communicating with clients and understanding their needs and requirements. I had to work closely with the R&D team and production team to ensure that the products were being developed as per the client's specifications and within the agreed timelines. Apart from that, I was responsible for negotiating prices, preparing quotations, and maintaining relationships with existing clients while also seeking new business opportunities. Another important task was analyzing market trends, identifying potential customers and competitors, and developing strategies to increase market share. Overall, my job involved a lot of multitasking, problem-solving, and communication skills.” His impressive sales skills also helped him in closing major deals during his time in the cosmetic industry.
According to Steven, it is not only the knowledge about current industry trends and the ability to critically evaluate them that is necessary to be a successful sales manager but the ability to problem solve as he explains in these words: “Whether its resolving issues with manufacturing in the cosmetics industry, negotiating with clients, or helping students plan for their future, being able to identify and solve problems is crucial.”
Steven left the cosmetic industry to work for Letitu Corp, a start-up that provides services for The Pond, an AI counseling platform. At Letitu he oversees college counseling, marketing, business management, B2B sales, and managing internships among other things. His advice for teens who are interested in pursuing a career in the cosmetic industry is to start a blog that not only helps them build a portfolio prior to applying for jobs but is also an excellent way to share their interests and insights about cosmetics. In addition, he suggests attending industry events, taking advantage of networking opportunities, and gaining on-the-job training as he explains: “Having an understanding of the manufacturing process can be very beneficial as it’s an integral part of the cosmetics industry. In my experience, I’ve seen many people who were not aware of the manufacturing process when they worked for brand companies. It’s easier to transition from a private label company to a brand company, but it’s more challenging to do it the other way around.”
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