The Road to Ulta, Part Two: 9 Months of Grit, Growth & Game-Changing Moments

If Part One was about the dream, Part Two is about the grind.

After sharing our journey of how OCOA began and what it meant to be accepted into the Ulta MUSE Accelerator Program, we wanted to take you behind the scenes of what happened next: nine months of grit, growth, and relentless determination that turned this dream into a reality.

The Ripple Effect of MUSE

When we joined the Ulta MUSE program in 2024, we had no idea just how much it would transform our business. The program was like an MBA in retail readiness, except taught by some of the best in the beauty industry.

We learned the ins and outs of supply chain management, retail timelines, pricing strategies, and merchandising—all while being surrounded by mentors who truly believed in us. One moment we’ll never forget? A 1:1 conversation where a mentor told us, “You’re not just building a brand—you’re building a legacy.” That single sentence fueled us during every late night that followed.

The Hardest (and Best) Work We’ve Ever Done

Once the accelerator ended, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. There were countless meetings about packaging updates, new compliance requirements, and retail forecasting (hello, spreadsheets!). We learned firsthand what it takes to meet the standards of a national retailer—and it stretched us in ways we didn’t know were possible.

We had moments of doubt. Nights where we stared at our to-do lists wondering if we’d ever get it all done. But then came the small wins: finalizing our Ulta packaging, approving the planogram that showed OCOA on shelves, and slowly watching it all come together. Each win reminded us: This is happening.

Community at the Core

Through it all, our community kept us going. Your DMs, your reviews, your photos—it all reminded us of why we started. We tested formulas, asked for feedback, and leaned into your voices as we built. One message we received during this time said:

“I’ve never seen a brand that feels like it was made for me until OCOA.”

That was everything. Those words reminded us that this launch wasn’t just ours—it belonged to everyone who has ever felt unseen in the beauty aisle.

The Turning Points

There were so many moments over the past nine months that made us stop in our tracks:

• Walking Ulta HQ for the first time during the accelerator. We’ll never forget the chills of seeing where all the magic happened.

• Receiving our first Ulta purchase order. Seeing that email in our inbox felt unreal.

• Working on all the plans for launch and deciding on photos, logos and branding that would be used on the Ulta shelves and Ulta website.
  

Each milestone was proof that all the long nights, tears, and grit were worth it.

As the months passed, everything started to move quickly. We were no longer in “dreaming” mode—we were in launch mode. It was time to prepare for the biggest moment in OCOA’s history.

Next Up: Launch Day + Celebrations

And that’s where Part Three comes in. In our next post, we’ll share how we prepared for launch day, the emotional moments leading up to it, and how we’re celebrating with IRL events this September. Trust us—it’s going to be fun, and we want you there with us.

Because if Part Two was about the grind, Part Three is all about the joy.

Stay tuned, familia. 

Abrazos,

Cory and Nicol