OCOA Beauty: Changing the Beauty Landscape for the Better

What began as a curiosity evolved into a business for OCOA Beauty founders and sisters, Cory Varona-Corniel and Nicol Varona-Cancelmo. “In 2016, we each were experiencing transitions in our lives,” explains Nicol. “Cory was pregnant with her first child, and I had decided to move out of my childhood home. We had developed a curiosity about the ingredients that were used in beauty products and hair care.”

The sisters were inspired to formulate their own skin care products and natural hair care products. Before long, Cory started making products at home. “The products that we had been using for our hair worked well, but the ingredients were so unhealthy for you. We knew there had to be a different way.”

Nicol shared they noticed a gap in the industry for products formulated specifically for Latinas. “In the Dominican Republic, women are taught not to embrace their hair. When we started formulating our own products, we loved them more than the things that we were buying. We said to each other, ‘Let’s go find someone who can help us make it better!’”

The sisters found a Reading-based manufacturer to help them bring their new products to fruition. Unfortunately, after only a few months, the manufacturer had to halt production; Cory and Nicol found themselves starting from scratch once again. “We started with the idea of introducing five products but had to set a more realistic goal since we were self-funded with no capital. We had to be smart about the product.”

They would spend two years testing their products before finally launching their curl cream in March 2021. In 2023, the duo rebranded the business to OCOA Beauty, named for their mother’s hometown in the Dominican Republic, and launched two products. OCOA Beauty specializes in high-end, curly hair care made with clean and nourishing ingredients inspired by the Dominican Republic.

OCOA Beauty wants to empower women to embrace their natural beauty and to feel confident to go out in the world, appreciating their natural beauty. All products are inspired by the beauty of the Dominican Republic and use ingredients that are part of the fabric of the country. These ingredients include mango butter, hibiscus oil and avocado oil. Nicol and Cory want the line to not just focus on hair care, but to include skin and scalp care, since the scalp is part of the skin. OCOA Beauty scalp products include nourishing and detoxifying agents such as apple cider vinegar. The focus on quality is what the sisters believe will encourage women to embrace their natural beauty.

In tune with the theme of celebrating the beauty of the Dominican Republic, the product labels are printed in both Spanish and English. “We grew up in a world of speaking two languages and this was important for us to showcase.” The logo is unique and symbolizes two sisters, joined by their hair. For Cory and Nicol, this was a journey that was important to them, and they wanted to incorporate this idea of sisterhood into the branding. “Once you become part of our brand, you are a sister that is part of our community,” Nicol shared.

W2W Magazine Contributing Writer Kat Ketterer caught up with Nicol to get her insights on what empowered the duo to start the business, how they overcame challenges and what lessons they would impart to others looking to follow in their footsteps.

As female entrepreneurs, what challenges did you face?

Nicol Varona-Cancelmo: We both come from a background outside of beauty and the first challenge was simply to learn. We learned industry terms, the process of making a product and how to obtain funding. We were outsiders in an industry that has a lot of networks and people who already know each other. One of our major hurdles – and successes – was finding a way to get to know people, building relationships and meeting people who helped us get to the next level, the next meeting and the next conversation.

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What do you know now about business that you wish you had known from the start?

NVC: People love our products, but we didn’t think about the first impression that people would have with our brand – the look and feel of the product, the labeling and the marketing. We had to take a step back, dig deeper and make sure that our mission and vision for the brand was highlighted through the bottle.

What advice would you give to other women thinking of opening a business?

NVC: Invest in yourself and invest in the idea that you have from the beginning. Take your idea and know that your idea is valuable, and you must invest in yourself. Hire experts to guide you from the start, take courses to further your knowledge and attend networking events. You are valuable, you are capable and your idea deserves to be seen by others!

Do not forget about the power of mentoring and helping other women as well. Help other women to see their potential and help them with their businesses. Offering to help others and mentorship has been the most important thing that has gotten us to where we are now. Cory and I want to highlight Mabel Frias, CEO and Cofounder of Luna Magic. Mabel has been an instrumental mentor for us this year as we look to land our first retail partnership in the next few months.

What are your plans for the business?

NVC: We want to continue to grow. We are working on new styling products that we hope to launch by next year. We would like to be in a mass retailer by the summer of 2024. We’re focused on getting our new products to the market so that more people can find us, discover us and join our sisterhood!

Learn more about OCOA Beauty at http://ocoabeauty.com and follow them on social media @ocoabeauty. 2

By Kat Ketter, CDP, PCHA, AVP, Customer Experience, Health Partners Plans

Photos courtesy of Nicol Varona-Cancelmo

In April, Cory and Nicol won the tecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition, which included a $10,000 prize with in-kind services valued at $100,000.

OCOA Beauty is a client of Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute SPARK Business Incubator.

OCOA recently became a part of the portfolio of Benjamin Franklin Ventures and is now looking toward a future primed for success!