In this episode of Add to Cart, Hannah Neumann, Chief Marketing Officer at Hey Bud, takes us behind the scenes of the Aussie skincare brand that’s been turning heads with its hemp-powered products. Known for its natural, acne-clearing, science-backed solutions, Hey Bud has become a fan favourite among skincare enthusiasts. In this session, Hannah shares her guilty online shopping habits, her latest inspirations and her go-to tools for staying on top of things. She also shares how she’s staying creative and inspired while navigating the challenges of her fast-growing skincare brand.
Hannah’s Guilty Pleasure: The Temptation of Temu
Hannah unashamedly admitted that she’s easily swayed by clever marketing. “I am the marketer who’s susceptible to marketing,” Hannah said with a laugh, sharing her obsession with Temu, a global marketplace known for its cheap, quirky products. Lately, she’s been hooked on gadgets like stick-on lights and even a shower screen cleaner. But there’s more to these purchases than just fun.
Hannah sees it as a chance to understand the customer journey and asks herself the question, “Why am I shopping there? Cool. I’ve been converted by an ad… I try and learn from my own behaviour,” she says. Rather than worrying about global competitors, Hannah suggests studying what works for them and applying those lessons to her own strategies at Hey Bud. It’s a great reminder that we need to see competition as a learning opportunity rather than a threat.
Brand Inspiration: An Aussie Collaboration
When it comes to brand inspiration, Hannah is particularly excited about a local collaboration between two beloved Aussie brands: Oroton and July. Oroton, renowned for its high-end leather goods, has teamed up with the stylish luggage disruptor, July, to create something that has captured Hannah’s attention. “I’m very excited to see what they do with that,” she said, highlighting the mix of legacy and innovation these brands represent.
For Hannah, this collaboration isn’t just about two successful brands coming together—it’s about the synergy between tradition and innovation. “Oroton is this beautiful, premium, Aussie legacy brand,” she explained, “and July is this disruptor in the space. It’s still lifestyle-adjacent, but they’re bringing together two very different markets.” She’s particularly interested in how these two brands will bridge the gap between their distinct customer bases while staying true to their core identities.
This type of partnership not only inspires Hannah personally but has got her thinking about how established and emerging brands can team up to create something fresh and exciting. It’s a reminder of the potential that comes from combining strengths, innovation and heritage in a way that speaks to a broader audience.
Staying Organised: Why Notion is a Secret Weapon
For someone juggling rapid brand growth, Hannah relies on Notion to keep her on top of everything. “Notion to me is my Bible,” she said. Whether it’s brainstorming new ideas or keeping large marketing campaigns in check, this platform is her go-to tool for staying organised.
“I have notion boards that I spend a lot of time building to make sure it suits what I need,” she explains, highlighting how personalised the system has become for her workflow. It’s not just about tracking tasks, it’s about creating a space where both small daily tasks and big-picture projects coexist.
She even admitted to using Notion at all hours of the day, confessing that she sometimes rolls over in the middle of the night to jot down random ideas. “I joke about the fact that I’ve got notion boards that are random scribbles from me at like 3 AM when I roll over and go, ‘Right, this could be an idea,’” she says.
Hannah’s approach isn’t just about keeping things tidy—it’s about freeing up mental space to focus on the bigger picture. By staying organised, she ensures that the day-to-day operations run smoothly, allowing her to spend more time on strategic growth and creative innovation. She believes it is this balance that ensures all the pieces are moving and nothing falls through the cracks.
Staying Inspired: Book and Podcast Recommendations
Hannah loves to stay inspired by tuning into podcasts and diving into great reads. One of her favourite podcasts is The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett, which she listens to regularly. “It’s one of the things I listen to on my commute,” she says, praising Bartlett’s ability to craft engaging conversations. She admires how he pulls together stories from his guests, blending deep insights with an engaging narrative.
In addition to The Diary of a CEO, Hannah has been enjoying Grace Beverly’s Working Hard, Hardly Working, a podcast that brings forward new perspectives, especially in the beauty and lifestyle space. “Grace Beverly’s incredible,” Hannah shares.
“She’s really changing the tone, especially around VC funding for startups in the UK, and she’s got some incredible guests.”
Both podcasts provide Hannah with fresh ideas and help her stay connected to what’s happening in the world of business, entrepreneurship, and beauty, sparking new ideas that she can apply to her work at Hey Bud.
Choosing the Right Opportunities for Growth
When asked about her biggest challenge today, Hannah pointed to the difficulty of deciding which growth opportunities are right for Hey Bud. With the brand expanding quickly, there are many options to consider, but not every path is the right fit. “We have to make sure that the next step that we take is the right one for growth in the business,” she explains.
Rather than chasing every opportunity that comes their way, their focus is on aligning with what’s best for the brand’s future. “It’s not about we only have one thing that we have to play with and that has to work,” she said. Instead, it’s about being in a space where they can carefully assess all the potential directions and choose wisely. “We have to make sure that the next step is the right one,” Hannah said.
With so many opportunities on the horizon, Hannah’s approach highlights the importance of making thoughtful, strategic decisions. Instead of jumping at every option, it’s about focusing on what aligns with the brand’s long-term goals. It’s a valuable reminder that taking the right steps is more important than just pushing forward.
Balancing Innovation, Leadership and Ethics
Hannah’s insights remind us that success isn’t just about staying organised or being creative—it’s about finding the right balance between both, ensuring that each step forward is intentional and strategic. From embracing inspiration and learning from competitors to staying on top of day-to-day operations, Hannah proves that the path to growth is paved with thoughtful decisions and ongoing innovation. Her approach highlights that lasting success doesn’t come from simply chasing opportunities, but choosing opps that align with your vision and elevate your business.
The Checkout is a short snippet of our conversations.
