Inside Kopari Beauty’s Corporate Headquarters: Redefining Modern Office Space

In just three years, Kopari Beauty has gone from a direct-to-consumer startup to a favorite on the shelves of major retailers including Sephora, Ulta and Nordstrom. The line of organic coconut oil skincare and personal care products is even backed by big celebrity investors including Ashton Kutcher, Karlie Kloss and Shay Mitchell.

So, in 2017, when the rapidly growing company was looking to move headquarters, it was only fitting that their new home be more of an extension of their California lifestyle branding, rather than just an office space.

CEO Bryce Goldman, who is the husband of cofounder Gigi Goldman told me, “Moving into this office changed the company culture overnight. Just because of the vibe and the way it feels. Everyone loves coming into work. If you are working in a place you want to be, you’re going to be more productive.”

A Corporate Office Doesn’t Need To Be So Corporate

Office space design has undergone an evolution in recent years. Gone are the grey cubicles, dark wood conference tables and hideous, yet practical flooring. Companies are redesigning offices to be places where people want to spend time—to spark creativity and encourage collaboration. While larger companies like Google and TOMS have been doing this for years, smaller businesses are starting to follow suit. With just 30 employees, Kopari commissioned Schoos Design, to create their new space.

Open And Bright

Entering Kopari’s office feels like a real-life Instagram post. Bright colors and light abound. It’s even fair to say it’s jaw-dropping. Everything is open and visible. Walls of windows reveal blue skies and peaks of the ocean, which is located just a few blocks away.  The loft-like space was designed entirely without dividing walls or solid doors. Even Goldman’s private office is visible through glass.

Everything is clean, neat and intentional. With the feel of a co-working space, rows of large oversized desks feature modern Apple workstations. The chic custom fixtures that hang overhead are worlds away from the flat plastic ceiling lights of yesteryear’s office space.

Spanning nearly half the length of the room is a white conference table that has been customized with bright pops of multi-colored stripes and chevron-inspired waves, reminiscent of the company’s signature packaging.

While an open office space can create some challenges, it doesn’t have to. Schoos designed three glassed off rooms for private phone calls and one-on-one meetings. Like modern phone booths, these cozy spaces feature plush furniture, pillows and original artwork.

Lounge Areas

While an open office space can create some challenges, it doesn’t have to. Schoos designed three glassed off rooms for private phone calls and one-on-one meetings. Like modern phone booths, these cozy spaces feature plush furniture, pillows and original artwork.

The front office lounge features a large white overstuffed sofa and mid-century modern accents. A faux exposed brick wall and tan rug frame out the space.

Another area has an oversized canvas L-shaped sectional and a cheerful red and white rug.

Two wood swings hang adjacent to the rear lounge. With wicker chairs and a coffee table carved from a large log, it feels more like a beach house than an office.

Kitchen

Gone are the days of an old microwave and coffee pot. Kopari’s kitchen features a white countertop and island. The stainless steel refrigerator modernizes the space as does the wine fridge under the counter. There is also a large table with room for everyone to sit down with their kale salads and get deep about coconut oil.

Always On Brand

Another reason for Kopari’s Instaperfect style is that it allows them to create content for their social media channels and website in-house. In their previous office space, the process was not as streamlined. “We were always having to lease out studios or go to specific places to shoot content,” explained Goldman, “So, they built us three different spaces within the office so we could do it here. The living room has been a yoga studio. We’ve make shifted [the spaces] to be four or five different things.”

Goldman said, “When we had the idea for this company and this brand, a priority for me was to have fantastic products, but as important as that was to us, this brand is what we’re all about, ‘a lifestyle beauty brand.’ I don’t think we’d be where we are if it wasn’t for the work we’ve put into the way this brand, looks, feels and sounds. Our copy, [if you read the packaging and website], it’s unique to Kopari. I think it’s more than half the reason why we’re on the map.”

Approximately 70% of the company’s sales come from their own website and not from their retail partners. This is truly a testament to how Kopari doesn’t simply make an excellent product—they’ve mastered the branding game.

 

This post first appeared on Forbes.com. To see the original, click here.