Today we’d like to introduce you to Megina Llaka
Hi Megina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been curious about what goes into the products we use every day. While studying chemistry for my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, I started experimenting, first making skincare and beauty products for myself and my friends, just for fun. That little hobby turned into a real passion, and after school, I started working with various beauty brands, helping them create new products.
Now, I’m lucky to do a little bit of everything! I’m a freelance cosmetic chemist, helping brands with everything from formulation to regulatory and market research. I’m also a mentor for the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, the lead cosmetic chemist for a large coffee-based cosmetic ingredient supplier, and the founder of Formulation Club here in Cleveland. Formulation Club is a passion project where we host fun, hands-on workshops and pop-up events for kids and adults. We create things like slime, lip gloss, soaps, candles, and more projects that everyone can take home and enjoy. Even better, participants can purchase the exact products they created through our website, since we keep a file for every client on their custom lip gloss and other creations.
In addition to workshop creations, we also offer a range of natural skincare and hair care products available for purchase. It’s a wonderful way to combine creativity, science, and a lot of fun!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road definitely hasn’t been completely smooth. Like anyone starting out, I faced my fair share of challenges. Early on, it was tough to transition from just experimenting for fun to actually building a business and working with brands. There were a lot of unknowns, especially when it came to navigating the regulatory side of the industry and learning how to handle the technical aspects of formulation. It took time to build relationships and trust with brands, which is key in this industry.
Balancing work and personal life has also been a challenge. As a mom with a growing business and freelance career, there are days when it feels like I’m spread too thin. But over time, I’ve learned how to prioritize and manage my time better. These struggles have helped me grow and pushed me to be more creative in how I approach both my career and my personal life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Formulation Club ?
Formulation Club is a fun, creative space where we host pop-up events and workshops for all kinds of celebrations. We do things like “Sip and Gloss” every month, where girls come with their friends, enjoy a glass of wine, create their own lip gloss, and take it home. Whether it’s a corporate retreat, bachelorette party, STEM class, or kids’ birthday, we bring a fun, hands-on twist to every event. We even offer mobile events and can come to your location, or you can buy our kits to enjoy the experience at home. What sets us apart is how we combine science, creativity, and celebration in a way that’s both educational and enjoyable for everyone!
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think luck has played a role in both good and bad ways. On the positive side, I’ve had some lucky breaks, like discovering my passion for cosmetic chemistry early on and meeting the right people who helped guide me along the way. These moments of good luck gave me the confidence to take risks and start my own business.
However, bad luck has shown up too, like when things didn’t go according to plan, or when unexpected challenges happens. But I’ve come to see those “bad luck” moments as opportunities for growth. They’ve forced me to be resourceful and resilient, and each challenge has taught me something valuable.
Overall, I believe that luck is part of the equation, but it’s the hard work and how you respond to both the highs and lows that really shape your journey.
Pricing:
- Sip and Gloss (monthly event): $60 per person – Includes a glass of wine and all materials to create your own lip gloss to take home.
- Custom Event Packages: Prices vary
- DIY Kits: Starting at $25
- Mobile Events: Pricing varies based on the event type and location. We come to you for groups of 5 or more people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.formulationclub.com
- Instagram: @formulationclub -insta
- Facebook: @formulationclub -fb
- Other: Info@formulationclub.com
