Small Business Saturday: Goodspread - Greater Austin Moms

Felipe created Goodspread Skincare due to the lack of clean ingredients in traditional skincare. He’s committed to using clean ingredients, as well as being cruelty-free, 100% vegan and eco-conscious. 

Hi Felipe! Thanks so much for stopping by to chat. Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

I was born in Santiago, Chile just before the Pinochet dictatorship, which lasted until the early 90’s. I remember my early years being chaotic and uncertain as the whole country struggled to cope with the political environment. As luck would have it, my mother met an American aid worker, Bart, who quickly married my mother and brought me and my two siblings to the US. Our first stop was Tucson, AZ and the first few months were rough. We didn’t know any English and it was hard to make friends. My brother and I joined the Boy Scouts and that helped a lot to both learn the language and expand our social circle. After three years, our step-father, moved the whole family to San Diego where he had just landed a new job. It was quite the scenic change. There, we attended junior high and high school. Not long thereafter our family moved to the Washington DC area and that is where most of my family resides today.

How long have you been in Austin?
I arrived in Austin in 1998 via an invitation from my sister who was studying film at UT, so I’ve seen it grow and change like a local. This has been my home for over twenty-four years, which I love, and have no plans to leave. During my amazing time in Austin, I have started multiple businesses, most of them focused on sustainability which has been a persistent passion of mine for many years. Apart from work, though, I love spending time rowing and being outdoors and enjoying the amazing restaurants around town.

Let’s hear more about Goodspread!
Just before Covid hit I had embarked on a new skincare project, Goodspread Skincare. The reason for getting involved in this competitive industry is I felt I had a story to tell. I have suffered from severe eczema for many years and it affected me physically, mentally and socially. Like many eczema sufferers, I spent years looking for skincare products that would reduce the blotches, itching, and severe dryness I was experiencing. In most cases, however, the products I was buying were making things worse. The skincare industry is basically unregulated and you have to be cautious about what you put on your skin.

For me, it was personal. And that is why I embarked in creating a skincare company that prioritized substance over hype with the simple goal to bring a message to the market that clean ingredients that feel good on your skin should not be a luxury, but the standard. That is why we named our company Goodspread.

What is something unique about Goodspread?
Another aspect of our brand that is very unique, is that we don’t segregate body parts. Instead, we target three different levels of hydration, Light, Medium and Heavy hydrators that you can use when and where you want. No routines, no regimens, no rules. This way, you can spend more time doing the things you love instead of a 15-step skincare routine that doesn’t do much good in the long run.

How is business going so far?
I think Goodspread has many things going for it and so far, we have been very well received by the community. We are grateful for that. Our goal for the next couple of years is to continue to get the word out about our products and expand the product line to include an SPF and perhaps other products.

Luckily, we are in Austin where entrepreneurship is not only welcomed but encouraged. Many local brands like Alvie’s Boots or Mighty Swell were born here and have done extremely well. As any young business though, fundraising can be a challenge and so can getting retail traction. But that is just the adventure you’re on and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

We love everything Austin has to offer. Do you have any favorite spots?
My favorite food spots are Birdies and Justine’s, while my favorite coffee spot is Alta’s at the Waller Creek Boathouse. I also spend a lot of time at Barton Springs and enjoy breweries in Dripping Springs.

Felipe has so kindly extended a discount code if you’d like to try Goodspread!
use CLEAN for 30% off

I have the starter set that includes the light, medium and heavy and I’m absolutely loving it. I put the medium on at night before bed and wake up feeling hydrated and fresh. My son has eczema and I’ve been using it on him as well.

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