On today’s episode, we welcome Jenn Krouse, CEO and Founder of AUNU — a skincare brand built around the transformative power of medical-grade Mānuka honey. After helping scale iconic brands like Tory Burch, WeWork, and Victoria Beckham Beauty — where she was part of the founding executive team that grew the business to over $100M — Jenn set out to build a company rooted in trust, clinical efficacy, and the intelligence of nature.
AUNU was inspired by both professional insight and personal experience. Growing up between Korea and Japan, Jenn was introduced early to the healing properties of Mānuka honey — a resource that later became essential as she searched for solutions to her own skin sensitivities. Partnering with Comvita™, the global leader in medical-grade Mānuka honey, she created a brand focused on supporting the skin barrier and delivering powerful results without harsh ingredients. Designed with clinically tested formulas and uncompromising standards, AUNU reflects Jenn’s belief that potent natural ingredients can transform long-term skin health.
In this episode, Jenn shares what it takes to move from scaling established brands to founding one of your own, why investing in clinical studies matters even as a startup, and how to identify true whitespace in a crowded beauty market. We discuss leadership, resilience, earning consumer trust, and the growing shift toward holistic skin health over quick fixes. A thoughtful conversation for founders, operators, and anyone inspired to build brands with both purpose and performance.