By Kevin, CEO of INNORHINO
As the CEO of INNORHINO, I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredibly passionate founders. One project that stood out was our collaboration with Kaylaan—a U.S.-based oral care startup determined to make sustainability more accessible through toothpaste tablets. What began as a packaging inquiry turned into a shared journey around design integrity, supply chain transparency, and growth strategy.
Discovering Kaylaan: A Mission That Resonated
Kaylaan was referred to us by one of our former clients—a testament to the value of trust and results in this industry. From the moment I reviewed their website, I saw a brand that cared deeply about the story behind every product decision. But like many early-stage brands, they faced three critical challenges:
- Finding truly biodegradable, scalable packaging.
- Aligning startup-level MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities) with industrial production.
- Collaborating with manufacturing-savvy partners who could bridge the gap between design and execution.
My Role as Packaging Consultant: Turning Friction Into Flow
I quickly realized that Kaylaan’s design team was marketing-led—great with visuals but less familiar with the nuances of packaging engineering. So, I stepped in to bridge that gap.
We walked through 2D/3D file standards, CMF (Color, Material, Finish) requirements, and provided physical examples to ground our conversations in real-world constraints. Rather than sending a static quote, we scheduled live Zoom calls. That face time built trust quickly and helped us clarify specs, make fast pivots, and move forward with confidence.
Our Packaging Solution: Material Clarity, Financial Strategy, and Regulatory Confidence
Kaylaan initially favored glass jars. But after explaining the presence of plastic seals in the caps, we pivoted to aluminum—a more inert, recyclable option ideal for oral care. We paired this with biodegradable Mylar pouches for cost-effective sampling.
To help them manage MOQs, we offered a tiered approach:
- A premium-priced short run of 10K units to test the market.
- Standard pricing for 20K+ orders, with mold fees refundable on high-volume deals (e.g., $5,000 rebate at 500,000 units).
We also delivered Certificates of Compliance and initiated SDS testing to prepare Kaylaan for FDA-related scrutiny. Knowing the U.S.–China tariff suspension was in play, we advised on timing their order for maximum savings.
The Outcome: Trust Translated into Action
After our proofing team (led by our internal QA specialist—shoutout to “JiuJiu”) walked them through every layer of design validation—from line thickness to UV coating separations—Kaylaan decided to skip the physical sample stage. That level of trust is rare in packaging.
The first batch was shipped via air freight and landed on schedule. The second batch, now prepared for sea freight, is in motion. Their founder later told me, “You guys weren’t just our packaging supplier—you were part of our product team.”
Reflections: Why I Believe Great Packaging Suppliers Are Co-Creators
This project reaffirmed for me what I’ve always believed: when you work with startups, you’re not just delivering boxes—you’re helping build something meaningful.
At INNORHINO, we don’t just execute; we educate, strategize, and adapt. Our job is to make sure that good design meets feasible production, and that young brands like Kaylaan can scale confidently—without sacrificing their values.
If you’re a founder with a bold vision and a need for thoughtful, production-ready packaging, let’s talk. I’d love to help you bring that vision to life.
Kevin
CEO, INNORHINO
