Host: Martin Rowinski, CEO of Boardsi
Guest: Dave Skaff, Co-Fouder and former COO of Gelogie
In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, host Martin Rowinski sits down with Dave Skaff, Co-Founder and former COO of Geologie, a personalized skincare brand that went from concept to multimillion-dollar success—culminating in its acquisition by Megalabs USA.
Dave shares how he and his co-founder launched Geologie with no skincare background, using a true beginner’s mindset to their advantage. From launching 20 SKUs out of the gate to building a data-driven personalization engine, they redefined the DTC skincare model—especially for men.
What truly sets this episode apart is the detailed breakdown of:
Why CX excellence starts with products that work.
How Geologie used remote-first hiring to build a high-output, cross-functional global team.
How Dave embedded AI across departments—from marketing to customer service—to stay lean and scalable.
The strategy behind landing a deal with Target, creating a non-benzoyl peroxide acne line, and positioning Geologie as an acquisition target.
His honest reflections on the acquisition journey and what he believes is next for consumer brands integrating AI and efficiency at scale.
Dave reveals:
✅ The “beginner’s mindset” hack that helped them disrupt men’s skincare
✅ Why starting with 20 SKUs (against all advice) was their secret weapon
✅ AI tools that replaced employees (and got praised in customer reviews!)
✅ The retail gamble that landed them at Target—and led to acquisition
✅ Remote team strategies to save costs and boost productivity
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Innovation
01:11 The Journey of Geology: From Concept to Acquisition
04:13 The Importance of a Beginner’s Mindset
08:07 Building a High-Touch Customer Experience
14:21 Leading a Remote Cross-Functional Team
19:50 Integrating AI Tools for Enhanced Productivity
24:34 Navigating Retail Expansion and Innovation
30:04 Future Endeavors and Insights on AI
If you’re a founder, executive, or operator aiming to scale intelligently and exit strategically—this is an episode packed with real-world wisdom and actionable tactics.
🎧 Listen now and gain insights on growth, innovation, and leveraging AI in consumer goods.
