Company name: Reviva Labs Inc. /Aesthetics Unique
President/CEO: Stephen Strassler
Year Established: 1973
Business Type: Skin Care Manufacturer
Located: Haddonfield, New Jersey
No. of Employees: 30
Mission Statement: To keep in the forefront of skin care technology, particularly with the advances in antioxidants, peptides, plant stem cells, growth factors…and the "delivery systems" that help them work.
Stephen Strassler was a marketing executive working on a cosmetic account in a New York advertising agency when Christine Valmy opened America’s first aesthetics school. Recognizing that America was years behind Europe in skin care at the time, Strassler foresaw a niche marketing opportunity and in 1968 became one of Valmy’s earliest graduates. Soon after, he moved to South Jersey and opened the area’s first skin care center. This was in 1969, four years before Strassler established Reviva Lab Inc. During the four year period, Strassler researched products from around the world, attended European seminars and expanded his skin care studies and product knowledge.
In 1973, he established Reviva Labs, importing natural ingredient products in bulk from several different European labs and repackaged them under the Reviva label. With European affiliations and innovative ability, Reviva was able to introduce several skin care firsts to America, including elastin, external trace minerals, collagen fiber and more. Today, Reviva’s own chemists, experienced with natural ingredients, produce the majority of the Reviva line; however a few specialties are still imported.
In 1993, Reviva Labs created a private label line, Aesthetics Unique. The moderately priced private label line offers a wide variety of products in retail and "back bar" sizes for skin salons and spas.
Here is what Reviva Labs Inc./Aesthetics Unique’s CEO, Stephen Strassler, had to say during a recent interview.
Q: What is the strength behind Reviva Labs Inc./Aesthetics Unique?
A: Innovation. After 39 years, during which (in our quiet way) we introduced several skin care firsts to America, we are still innovating. In recent years, we were first with vitamin P, a cream for spider veins and rosacea; a patented soy extract for menopausal skin; an eyelid serum; among many other products for specialized needs (including, our Essential Fatty Acid Cream for thin, dry skin, for which we won a skin care "Innovator of the Year Award" from ICMAD).
Q: What sets you apart from other manufacturers?
A: Aesthetics Unique’s focus is not to replace a skin salon’s name brand line. Instead, we try to make the owner recognize that some of our private label specialties can fill individual needs their current brands do not offer. Such niche items not only deliver added profits – they present avenues of new treatments or new retail income. Our no minimum per item and quick product delivery means no excess inventory for easy extra profits.
Q: Does Reviva Labs Inc./Aesthetics Unique support any particular causes or charitable organizations?
A: We have always been very involved with No Animal Testing and Cruelty to Animals. We have supported PETA and The Humane Society and are currently trying to build industry financial aid for the Marine Mammal Stranding Center – New Jersey’s only center that saves and rehabilitates injured or sick seals, giant sea turtles and even whales that wash ashore along New Jersey’s 1,800 mile coastline. The Center’s funds were recently cut by Washington and their annual budget depends on grants and private donations.
