Hello Diogou, it is an honor to welcome you as the first guest for this new section. Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little more about your background?

Diogou: I am a former financial strategy executive for international banks. I started making my own cosmetic products in 2012, for my first daughter and then for those around me and my work colleagues. Following the numerous positive feedback, I decided to create a range of natural cosmetics.

Proud of my origins and committed to environmental issues, I imagine, in 2017, a range of solid cosmetics, highlighting the knowledge and know-how of France, land of birth, but also of Africa, land of its origins.

Faced with my personal observation of the need for support for entrepreneurs who have little technical and relational background, I decided to create La Fabrique 621 to give the chance to all those who wish to get started and develop their concept.

What are the main activities of Fabrique 621?

Diogou: La Fabrique 621 is a cosmetics incubator equipped with a research & development laboratory for cosmetic formulas. We support our entrepreneurs from the idea to the marketing of the natural cosmetic product, including regulatory validation. In a world as regulated and as competitive as cosmetics, we are here to help entrepreneurs get started without making mistakes and understand all the issues involved in developing a product.

Since June 2023, La Fabrique 621 has been labeled Innov'up Incubator by the Île de France Region, rewarding the excellence of support of 28 incubators. This label facilitates access to Innov'up envelopes for our incubated entrepreneurs.

Marine: Quite coincidentally, on LinkedIn (laughs)! Diogou had participated in a conference. His approach immediately appealed to me. I will always remember our first exchange. I immediately felt the preponderant place given to the human aspect. In my previous efforts with other laboratories, I noticed a lack of this support that I was looking for. Fabrique 621 perfectly embodied this dimension, which reinforced my decision to collaborate with Diogou for the development of Fôme products.

Diogou: The fundamental values ​​of Fabrique 621 include the promotion of more virtuous cosmetics, aimed at reducing the impact on the environment. The ambition of the product was clear: to reconcile high-end excellence with an eco-responsible approach, while preserving quality. This approach particularly interested me, because it puts back at the center the importance of the gesture of washing our hands, while seeking to reduce our environmental footprint. There was also a natural feeling with Marine, it must be admitted (laughs) and a real desire to get involved in this project.

How did the collaboration go between you?

Diogou: Marine had strict and demanding specifications, specifying the ingredients required and, above all, prohibited as well as the addition of upcycled elements (the fact of giving a second use to materials intended to be thrown away) in the formula. Thanks to this rigor, we were able to move forward easily and fluidly.

Marine: Diogou was constantly available, encouraging almost daily exchanges, obviously depending on the stages of progress. His role was extremely important for the rest of the events, addressing the regulatory aspects, the different stages, while working on the complete creation of the formula, from start to finish.

Diogou: Yes, it is essential to keep in mind that certain deadlines cannot be reduced. Despite this, solutions were found to move forward and launch the project on time.