Bright and beautiful – Larissa Bright Australia a Townsville success story

Townsville is home to one of the State’s best beauty business export success stories, with Larissa Bright Australia now working to expand its overseas markets.

Minister for Trade John Mickel met with Larissa Bright Australia representatives in Townsville today, and said that the company was setting a great example for other Queensland small businesses looking to increase sales and expand.

“This is a small local company that has carefully planned and built export capability, and is now successful in exporting its cosmetic and beauty products overseas,” Mr Mickel said.

“Larissa Bright Australia employs nine people in Townsville and has more than 900 direct selling staff aroundd Australia. The company has its own range of natural skin and body care, mineral cosmetics and aromatherapy products that are finding export success in New Zealand and Korea.

“While I have been aware of the company’s work previously, today’s meeting allowed me to see for myself the products that Larissa Bright Australia^TM is developing for export, and discuss other projects to assist in Townsville’s business and community growth.

“This innovative North Queensland company now has Asia firmly in its sights as a target export market for its Queensland-produced beauty and wellbeing products, and represented Townsville on a recent trade mission.

“Larissa Bright Australia^TM was among 18 Queensland beauty, lifestyle and wellbeing businesses taking the opportunity to promote their products when Trade Queensland led its inaugural mission to attend the Cosmoprof Asia trade show late last year.

“Cosmoprof Asia 2008 was identified as a strong vehicle for promotion of Queensland’s growing natural health products and cosmetics industries in Asia. Exhibitors from around 40 countries attended with an estimated 20 000 international visitors through the gates.

“Attending Cosmoprof Asia gave Larissa Bright Australia^TM and other companies participating in the Trade Queensland mission an opportunity to pitch their products and services to buyers from across Asia,” Mr Mickel said.

“A total of 32 delegates participated in the Trade Queensland mission and had the opportunity to meet with senior executives and potential buyers from Asia’s major import and distribution companies and inspect leading department stores and retailers in Hong Kong.

“I congratulate Larissa Bright Australia^TM on the company’s exporting endeavours so far, and I know that Trade Queensland will continue to provide assistance to help in identifying and gaining access to overseas markets.”

At the meeting in Townsville today, Mr Mickel was able to see first-hand the products that Larissa Bright Australia^TM is developing for export, and discuss other projects to assist in Townsville’s growth.

Media contact: 3237 1944

21 January 2009