Waterloo Pharmacy student launches cosmetics company
Enterprise (E) Co-op is an option available to University of Waterloo students that empowers them to begin their own business during a work term while obtaining Co-op credit. The School of Pharmacy offers this option to Pharmacy students interested in developing a healthcare related business.
After finishing her first two co-op work terms in traditional pharmacy roles Emily Harper (Rx2025) wanted to pursue something different – something that would challenge her further.
During her E Co-op work-term she turned her hypothetical business idea into an actual business, Rafino Skin, a cosmetics company created by a pharmacist in training.
“From a young age, I struggled with cystic acne that contributed to my poor self-esteem,” Harper says. “The seeds of my pharmacy career, and my dream to create my own company, were planted in high school when I crushed aspirin tablets to make a paste as an acne treatment.”
The concept of medicated skin care was always at the back of her mind and a dream to create impactful products.
“When I found out that E Co-op existed, I thought ‘Wow, I could actually pursue my idea! When else would I have four months where I could spend all of my time completely dedicated to bringing my idea to life – to create my company’,” Harper adds.
Harper set out to create a one-of-a-kind product to fill a niche market need. She discovered that blue light emitted from digital devices not only harms your eyes, but deeply penetrates skin. When blue light invades the skin, reactive oxygen species are produced which leads to damaged skin cells, accelerated aging, redness and irritation.
“Over time these effects weaken the skin’s natural barrier, reducing its ability to retain moisture and protect against external harm,” Harper says.
She created a moisturizer from the knowledge gained from her pharmacy classes, her research into blue light effect and support from her E Co-op mentor.
“My aim is to build trust with my consumers and to empower them to understand what is in their products,” Harper says. Each product is paired with an instructional sheet explaining each ingredient and its benefit from a pharmacist’s lens.
Emily Harper's first Rafino Skin product, a daily restorative cream with blue light defence. Photo credit: Emily Harper.
When I found out that E Co-op existed, I thought ‘Wow, I could actually pursue my idea! When else would I have four months where I could spend all of my time completely dedicated to bringing my idea to life – to create my company’.
Harper broke down her E Co-op work term into four stages – market research, manufacturer development, product and digital design and launch and distribution.
“I really tapped into the creative side of my brain during the design process,” Harper says. “My analytical side has been exercised over the last six years in school, so it was a nice change.”
Over the course of four months, Harper learned to embrace uncertainties, overcome nerves, strengthen her entrepreneurial mindset, how to hold herself accountable and to follow her dreams.
Rafino Skin is named after Harper’s grandparents, Serafino. “I wanted to do something meaningful with their memory. The meaning behind Serafino is the angel of the highest ranks symbolizing purity and ultimate care,” Harper says.
She was one of the University of Waterloo Spring 2024 Enterprise Co-op Pitch winners, a $5000 prize that she put towards the development of Rafino Skin.
Harper launched her company and made her initial investment back within three days of sales. She plans to expand her skincare line and customer base after graduating from Waterloo Pharmacy while practicing as a fulltime pharmacist.