Latest news with #Dododots
CNA
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
How Malaysian beauty startup Dododots became the pimple patch brand Gen Z can't get enough of
In 2023, Malaysian pimple patch brand Dododots co-founders Esther Erin, 29, and Ethan Wong, 27, posted a TikTok of themselves restocking a vending machine after hours at Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall, one of Malaysia's most popular malls. 'The mall is closed and guess what we're doing here,' Erin chirped, panning to a yawning Wong. Once they finished filling the machine, Wong did a goofy victory dance and they showed off their latest fruit-themed pimple patches. The video blew up – racking up 4.5 million views and cementing the brand's irreverent, unfiltered identity. This cheeky tone is at the core of Dododots' appeal. Their patches, unlike the standard see-through variety, come in wildly creative motifs: Pastel animals, glitter butterflies, doodles, holographic finishes and even rhinestone-studded versions. Occasionally, they get a little weird. A recent drop, hilariously dubbed 'Your Ex', featured disturbingly realistic cockroach-themed patches, promising to 'repel your acne as well as your exes'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dododots Beauty Patch | Pimple Patch | Cute Acne Patch (@dododots) Since launching, the brand has built a cult following, particularly among Gen Zs. Ironically, the founders don't consider themselves part of this demographic. Erin, born in 1996, is technically a Zillennial, while Wong insisted he just doesn't feel like one. Still, the duo clearly know how to speak the language – they estimate that over a million packs have been sold worldwide. WHERE IT ALL STARTED Given their marketing prowess, it's no surprise the pair first met as fresh graduates at a creative agency. 'Ethan joined about six months after me. I thought he was older because he seemed very serious and mature,' recalled Erin. 'He'd just come in, put on his headphones and work. I thought, whoa why is this guy so arrogant?' She later discovered he was 'very nice to work with – just scary when he's serious'. Meanwhile, Wong described Erin as 'happy-go-lucky'. 'She's the kind of person who can just form a bond with everyone,' he said. 'I think people's impression of us is still the same now. She's the friendly, outgoing one and I'm more of the serious, behind-the-scenes guy.' Their jobs involved building campaigns for luxury property clients, which got Erin thinking: If they could grow brands for others, why not start one of their own? Her mind returned to an old idea: Decorative pimple patches. As a teenager with acne-prone skin, she used to stick cute stickers over plain patches to feel better about her breakouts. Back then, the Malaysian market offered little beyond plain hydrocolloid options, which often turned white after absorbing pus. Though Wong joked that he wasn't Erin's "first pick" as co-founder, he was the first to get genuinely excited about the idea. He, too, had dealt with breakouts growing up, and understood how much it could affect your self-esteem and social life. In late 2021, while still holding down their full-time jobs, they pooled together RM15,000 (S$4,467) of their savings to launch Dododots, with Erin leading the brand's marketing and Wong overseeing operations. Strategic decisions, to this day, are made as a team. ALMOST GAVE UP SIX MONTHS IN 'Honestly speaking, six months later, we thought of calling it quits,' said Erin. 'We were so busy with our full-time jobs – there was no way we could juggle both. We were burning out. At midnight, we'd be packing orders. It just didn't feel sustainable.' What kept them going was remembering the excitement they felt at the very beginning. 'Quitting our jobs to give it a real shot felt like the right move,' shared Wong. To ease the pressure, they sat down with their boss and asked if they could return to their agency roles if the business didn't work out in six months. He agreed. That safety net gave them the courage to go all in – both left their jobs in March 2022. TURNING POINT A major breakthrough came in April 2023 with the launch of Dododots' first vending machine at Sunway Pyramid. 'It was our first step into retail, and one of the best business decisions we've ever made,' said Wong. The eye-catching machines quickly drove awareness and sales, turning profitable within just three months. Dododots made its official debut in Singapore in March 2024, stocked at Guardian and Miniso stores, as well as a vending machine in Plaza Singapura. Coinciding with Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, Swifties snapped them up as decorative face stickers – a surprise use case that revealed an entirely new audience. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dododots Beauty Patch | Pimple Patch | Cute Acne Patch (@dododots) The Singapore launch also brought new insights. 'I think Singaporeans in general make more well-informed decisions when they buy,' Erin observed. 'They don't just look at the designs. They're more interested in the ingredients, how long it takes to work, whether it's suitable for their skin type.' Different countries have different favourite designs. 'Singaporeans tend to prefer subtle designs like Dodobear or Star-Kissed, while Malaysians love Pastel Petals and Butterflies. In Vietnam, Fruit Partay is their top pick,' shared Wong. Today, Dododots is stocked in retail outlets across ten countries and ships to over 40 worldwide. Its coloured hydrocolloid patches are manufactured in China. In Singapore, a pack of 20 patches retails for S$9. ON CRITICISM AND STAYING THE COURSE View this post on Instagram A post shared by starface (@starface) As Dododots gained traction, comparisons with US brand Starface – known for its yellow star patches and celebrity fans like Justin Bieber – became inevitable. Starface launched in 2019, two years before Dododots. "I didn't even know Starface existed when I first came up with the idea,' said Erin, who had been decorating her acne patches since she was 16. 'Even now, people attack me when I say this idea was original to me. They'll say, 'This isn't new'. When we realised there was a brand already doing this in the US, it made me feel like, oh no, we need to go faster.' While competitors moved into other skincare categories, Dododots stayed in their lane. 'We've stuck to just pimple patches,' explained Wong. 'We're not riding trends or chasing easy revenue. We've focused on innovating within the patch space.' 'Our patches are multifunctional – they heal without harsh chemicals and help cover redness, while making you feel good emotionally,' added Erin. This focus led to the Dodoskin range in 2023 – a skin-tone matching series that doubles as spot concealers, launching with five shades and five more coming soon. 'We started ideating this back in 2021, before others followed suit,' noted Wong. They've also evolved their formulations based on customer feedback, adding tea tree oil–infused versions and are in the midst of developing new actives. EYES ON THE UNICORN "People think we're successful, but to us, this is just the beginning,' said Erin. 'We want to be Southeast Asia's first beauty unicorn (a startup company valued at over US$1 billion/S$1.32 billion).' Even with investors circling, they've stayed self-funded. 'We're not ready for it yet,' she said. 'Once you take on investment, the pressure changes. There are rules, expectations, and everything becomes about profit.' That freedom has allowed them to move forward at their own pace. Within four years, Dododots has grown from two friends packing orders into a 24-person team. Their product output has skyrocketed – from eight designs during the first year to a projected 70 this year. 'We're gradually filling the gaps and tapping into different segments,' said Wong, who teased upcoming collaborations with two of Malaysia's biggest influencers. The brand is also exploring more licensed IPs following the success of its limited edition The Powerpuff Girls collection. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dododots Beauty Patch | Pimple Patch | Cute Acne Patch (@dododots) Wong believes their generational perspective gives them a unique advantage. 'Being on the borderline (between Gen Z and millennial generations) means we get to see it from both sides. The older generation emphasises survival and standards, while many Gen Zs value quality of life, good culture, and meaningful work. These different traits can be advantages if you create the right environment,' he explained. "That's why we're open to ideas like cockroach patches and being unserious – there's a brand voice that both generations can appreciate.' But don't expect a flagship store just yet. 'If we do it, it has to be bombastic,' he joked.
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Company opens doors for seniors in workforce
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is expected to become an ageing nation by 2030, with individuals aged 60 and above projected to make up more than 15% of the population. This demographic shift is raising concerns about the future sustainability of the workforce. While many employers remain hesitant to hire older workers, one local brand is challenging that narrative by embracing and advocating their inclusion. Dododots, a lifestyle brand known for its quirky and colourful pimple patches, gained attention in 2023 after launching internships exclusively for individuals aged 50 and above – proving that age is no barrier to creativity, innovation or community. Co-founder Ethan Wong recounted that when they first launched the brand in 2021, they had much to learn, a journey that has since shaped their inclusive and forward-thinking approach. 'When we started, we packed everything ourselves. One day, my grandma helped out and gave some really good suggestions. 'That's when we though: 'Wow, senior citizens actually have so much to contribute.' That small moment sparked a big idea and we put out a call for 'senior interns'. 'Within a week, we received hundreds of applications – some even submitted by children on behalf of their parents,' Wong said. Among those selected was 63-year-old Leslie Mah, now a full-time team member and fondly known as 'Uncle Leslie'. His daughter had submitted a heartfelt letter on his behalf, describing his passion for work and his strong sense of community. 'She told me over dinner: 'You have an interview coming up.' I said: 'Say what?'' Mah said. 'She said: 'Just a packing job.' I thought, okay – better than staying at home.' Despite decades of experience in production, warehousing and sales, Mah initially had doubts about fitting into a startup dominated by younger people. 'I looked up the company, it looked fresh and vibrant. There were only six of them back then. I thought, I'm over 60, can I fit in? Will they accept me?' Those doubts quickly faded. 'Ethan and Esther (also a co-founder) were so warm during the interview. I could see their vision. Most importantly, they trusted me and that meant a lot.' Now, Mah does not just pack orders, he manages the entire warehouse. 'The office vibe is energetic. It's not like a traditional workplace, which can feel like a pressure cooker. This kind of environment helps with mental health, even for the younger ones,' he said. He added that many senior citizens still want to contribute meaningfully but often lack opportunities. 'People say, go for tai chi but that's just 40 minutes. After that, everyone goes home. What do we do for the rest of the day?' At Dododots, Mah has found both purpose and new skills. 'I'm learning new technology, helping with marketing, even shooting videos using Gen Z slang,' he said with a smile. With 25 team members and more than 70 unique product designs, Dododots offers flexible hours and market-rate pay for its older hires, a conscious decision to promote inclusivity and fairness. The brand is currently available online and in select stores across Malaysia, with products sold in over five countries via retail partnerships and international shipping. 'It's not about squeezing work out of them,' Wong said. 'It's about giving them purpose and making them feel seen. They've got time, wisdom and life experience. It's a win-win.' Looking ahead, Wong hopes to expand the programme further. 'If we grow into production or need legal help, I'd love to bring in retired professionals. There's so much untapped knowledge out there.' To other companies, Mah offers a gentle but firm reminder: 'Have more faith in seniors. Many of us can still contribute in meaningful ways.' And to fellow retirees, his advice is equally heartfelt: 'Don't be afraid to try new things. Go in with no expectations, and an open heart and open mind to learn.' At the heart of his message is a simple truth about fulfilment and purpose: 'When you enjoy it, it doesn't feel like work.'
