Cambodia & Initiative: Léa, “Making a difference in the field of well-being with Pilla”

Just three years ago, the Cambodian public would discover a new brand of natural cosmetics developed and produced in Cambodia. Behind this initiative: Léa Bogatin, young and dynamic Slovenian who fell in love with the Kingdom.

Léa Bogatin, creator of the Pilla brand

All smiles and comfortably seated in the Raffles gardens, Léa says a little more about this brand and her ambitions.

Interview

Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

I was born in Slovenia, a country of two million people surrounded by the influence of Italian taste for design and cosmetics and Austrian/German taste for food. I grew up in a family working in hospitality and healthcare, which logically sparked a genuine passion for cosmetics and customer service from a young age. I always knew I would work in this field.

What is your background?

After nursing high school, I prepared for business and management college.

What was your first job?

Sell medical equipment and natural cosmetic products in pharmacies.

How did you arrive in Cambodia, what was your first activity?

By chance, after visiting Siem Reap, I found it to be simply a fabulous country to work in. It was eight years ago. My first activity was event planning.

You recently launched a new cosmetics brand in Cambodia

Pilla is the acronym for Pilar of Happiness, a pill of happiness when you need it, when you are alone, which gives this experience of personal well-being. When we use good quality ingredients, the products stay in our body for up to 24 hours. For my part, I believe that people should focus on quality and we try to educate consumers in this direction.

When was the idea for Pilla born and why launch this range now?

The idea for Pilla was born 10 years ago, when I noticed that the products on the market were only intended for trade shows or that they didn't really contain good quality ingredients.

“I wanted to launch this project to bring something different to Cambodia, new ingredients that will benefit Cambodians and to show that natural beauty and health are a great privilege.”

Covid was also a time when people began to be more cautious about health, diet and ingredients that can benefit or affect our bodies.

Essential ingredients and oils come from different places around the world, Madagascar, Morocco, Indonesia, Spain, France and more...

What types of products do you offer?

Our production mainly focuses on the products we use every day, face and body washing, scrub, face and body mist as well as candles.

What are your ambitions?

Pilla will expand to other products when we can ensure greater production and, while we already have customers in Europe and Hong Kong, we would like to expand and be increasingly present in these markets.

Outside of your professional activities, what do you do?

Being healthy and active is something that has always been my priority. Practice sport intelligently, eat healthily and enjoy what we have, what we create, what we work for.

Running has always been a great passion for me, you are totally alone and fighting against your own time...