from $5 Million Loss to Skincare Tech Success: How Matt Orlic Built qure After a Near-Fatal Setback
Serial entrepreneur Matt Orlic shares his journey from early buisness ventures to a devastating financial blow, and how that led him to co-found Qure, a skincare-tech brand poised for importent growth.
Matt Orlic’s entrepreneurial journey began at the young age of 17, working in lead generation for a business coaching firm. “I was calling businesses all day, trying to set appointments for business coaches to come out and see them,” Orlic recalls. “That exposed me to hundreds of businesses every single day.” This early exposure ignited his entrepreneurial spirit, setting the stage for future ventures.
Early Ventures and a Crushing Blow
Within six months, Orlic launched his own lead generation service for business coaches, backed by a mentor. He sold the company at 20 and later founded Pro Sports Group, specializing in soccer training products, and Inspire Brands Group, which developed and sold consumer brands. These ventures showcased his ability to identify market opportunities and build prosperous businesses.
though, at 25, Orlic faced a significant setback. His largest client, the Australian retailer Dick Smith, declared bankruptcy, resulting in a $5 million loss overnight. “I pretty much lost that whole business, lost millions of dollars in cash,” Orlic explains. This experiance proved to be a turning point, pushing him towards a digital-first approach. “That’s when I started the digital journey — because I understood [that I was] at the mercy of all these retailers. That’s when I went to a digital-first approach with brands.”
This transition reflects a broader trend in the U.S. retail market, where businesses are increasingly focusing on e-commerce to mitigate risks associated with customary brick-and-mortar models.The bankruptcy of major retailers like Sears and Toys “R” Us underscores the vulnerability of businesses reliant on physical stores, making the shift to digital a strategic imperative for survival and growth. Experts at the National Retail Federation (NRF) emphasize the importance of omnichannel strategies, integrating online and offline channels to enhance customer experience and build resilience.
Overcoming Adversity and Finding Authentic purpose
Orlic admits that the financial loss triggered a period of negative thinking. Though,he drew inspiration from other successful founders who had overcome early setbacks. “I felt like it was just my piece of debt I needed to pay [for success],” orlic says, adopting a resilient mindset that reframed the experience as a necessary hurdle.
Moreover, Orlic began questioning the fulfillment he derived from his previous ventures. He realized he had accumulated “inauthentic money” by selling products he wasn’t passionate about. This realization led him to seek guidance from psychologists and spiritual advisors, ultimately steering him towards a business aligned with his values.
The Birth of Qure: A Family Affair
The genesis of Qure involved Orlic’s sister, Kristina Orlic, who serves as the operations and brand manager at Inspire and co-founder and CEO of Qure.Kristina’s passion for skincare played a pivotal role in the company’s creation. while Matt was living in Croatia, Kristina would send him skincare packages with detailed instructions. During a visit, she noticed the positive effects of the products but discovered Matt wasn’t using them.
rather, Matt was using a large LED light panel he had purchased while researching biohacking. “She’s like,’Oh my God,what’s that? I want one,'” Orlic recalls. Although the panel cost $5,000, it sparked an idea: to make this technology accessible to a wider audience. This “lightbulb moment” led to the growth of Qure’s LED light therapy mask.
“At the time,I truly believed that that was my original idea,” Orlic says,”[that] no one else had thought of a face mask. But I went online, and [there were] few of them. but that’s where the idea started. [We wanted to] make these clinical treatments and bring them [into homes] because beauty shouldn’t be a luxury — it should be a fundamental right. Everyone deserves to feel confident in their own skin.”
Qure’s Innovative Approach
It took two years to develop Qure’s LED light therapy mask, with the help of a design firm in the Netherlands. kristina Orlic insisted on using clinical-grade LEDs and customizable features to differentiate Qure from other LED masks on the market. the result is the Red Light Mask Q-Rejuvalight pro, an FDA-cleared device that treats acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. The wireless mask can target five facial areas in three-minute sessions.
This focus on high-quality components and advanced technology aligns with the growing demand for effective and convenient skincare solutions among U.S. consumers. According to a report by Grand View Research, the U.S. facial skincare market is projected to reach $23.3 billion by 2025,driven by increasing awareness of skincare benefits and the availability of technologically advanced products.
Growth and Future Plans
Qure officially launched in 2022 and is projected to reach $50 million in revenue by the end of 2025. In addition to the LED mask, Qure offers a range of products, including a red light neck and chest mask, micro-infusion patches, face serums, and a shower filter.
“Having world-class products is the single most vital factor [in success],” Orlic says. “Because we have those world-class products, we’re able to get world-class dermatologists, influencers and doctors to support our brand. Because they want to associate their brand with upper-echelon products.”
Orlic plans to continue investing in product development and expanding Qure’s product line, aiming to solidify its position in the competitive skincare market. This strategic focus on innovation and quality is essential for sustaining growth and maintaining a competitive edge.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
As a serial entrepreneur, Orlic offers advice to aspiring founders: focus and tenacity are key. “I had 13 businesses at one stage, which was a horrible idea,” Orlic admits. “I coach a lot of young entrepreneurs today, and they still have this concept of owning multiple businesses; [there’s] something sexy about it, which I don’t really understand too much. Just stick to one thing, have courage and persistence — that’s it.”
This advice resonates with the experiences of many successful U.S. entrepreneurs who emphasize the importance of focus and perseverance. According to a study by the Small Business Administration (SBA), businesses with a well-defined niche and a strong commitment to execution are more likely to succeed in the long run.
How did Matt Orlic’s early business experience at 17 spark his entrepreneurial drive?
From Setback to Skincare Success: An Interview with Matt orlic, Co-founder of Qure
Archyde News Editor, Anya Sharma, speaks with Matt Orlic about his journey from business loss to building the innovative skincare-tech brand, Qure.
Anya Sharma: Matt,thank you for joining us today on Archyde. Your story is truly inspiring. Let’s start at the beginning: You launched your first business at 17. What sparked your entrepreneurial drive at such a young age?
Matt Orlic: Thanks for having me, Anya. It all started with exposure. Working in lead generation for a business coaching firm, I was exposed to hundreds of businesses daily. That level of insight into various operations really ignited the entrepreneurial spark.
The $5 Million Setback: A Turning Point
Anya Sharma: You saw early success, but then came a meaningful challenge.Losing $5 million in the Dick Smith bankruptcy must have been devastating. How did that experience shape your approach to business?
Matt Orlic: It was a brutal lesson, there’s no doubt whatsoever. Losing a business overnight forced me to re-evaluate everything. That’s when I shifted to a digital-first approach. I understood I was at the mercy of retailers, and I needed more control and direct access to my customers.
From Loss to Finding Authenticity
Anya Sharma: It sounds like a profound turning point, both financially and in terms of personal values. How did you overcome the negativity that loss can trigger?
Matt orlic: I reframed it. Seeing other founders overcome setbacks helped. I embraced the belief this loss was part of my journey. I realized I needed to refocus on products I truly believed in. This led me to seek guidance from psychologists and spiritual advisors.
The Genesis of Qure: Family and Innovation
Anya Sharma: Let’s talk about Qure. How did the idea for Qure’s LED light therapy mask come about, and what role did your sister Kristina play in this?
Matt Orlic: Kristina’s passion and expertise in skincare were foundational. Then there was the LED light panel I purchased.It sparked the idea of making this technology accessible to more people. It started with her seeing the panel, then, together, we saw an opportunity.
Anya Sharma: So it started with a face mask, a device that was a luxury to a common beauty product that is available in the home?
Matt Orlic: Exactly. The vision was to make it a essential aspect of everyday skincare. It shouldn’t be just a privilege; everyone deserves to feel confident in their skin.
Qure’s Innovative Approach and Market Impact
Anya Sharma: Qure really stands out in a competitive market. Can you walk us thru the technological advancements that set your products apart, like your LED mask?
Matt Orlic: We invested significant time and effort, taking two years to develop our Red Light Mask Q-Rejuvalight Pro. We insisted on clinical-grade LEDs and made certain our features were customizable. The goal was to set it apart in the market and make a skincare product accessible to anyone. It makes a serious difference to your face too.
Growth Trajectory and Future Plans
Anya Sharma: Qure officially launched in 2022 and is experiencing rapid growth. What’s the strategic vision for sustaining this momentum?
Matt Orlic: We want to keep developing products that are high-quality. High-quality components that support our products. We work from a base of dermatologists and influencers, that will help make our products successful, so we need to remain at an upper-echelon level. We also plan to expand our product line.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Anya Sharma: as a serial entrepreneur, what advice would you give to budding founders hoping to build their own successful businesses?
Matt Orlic: Focus and persistence are key. Avoid spreading yourself too thin. Find one thing, devote everything to it, and have courage and stick with it.
Anya Sharma: That’s excellent advice, Matt. You’ve truly demonstrated the power of resilience and the importance of aligning your business with your values. what aspect of Qure’s mission do you find most fulfilling, and how does it drive you to continue innovating?
Matt Orlic: Helping people feel confident and confident. It’s that simple, honestly. To make people feel more cozy in their skin,allowing them to live a happier,healthier life. That is very vital, and I think that’s the driver. That’s authentic.
Anya Sharma: Thank you so much for sharing your insights and experience with us, Matt. It’s been a pleasure.
Matt Orlic: Thank you for having me, Anya. It was a pleasure as well.
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