Brand Portrait:
CALMA COMPANIA
In the fast-paced world of consumer goods, creating a brand that speaks to both heart and mind is no easy feat, especially in product categories where functionality is the most important consideration. Yet, that is precisely what Hemma Marenzi and Cornelius Klimt have set out to do with their venture, Calma Compania.
Founded with the desire to fuse natural travel care products with a deep respect for the environment, their brand isn’t just about offering products, it’s about crafting an experience and a philosophy that resonates with conscious, globe-trotting cosmopolitans.
From a brand-building perspective, Calma Compania is a compelling case of how even a necessity can be elevated into something meaningful, mindful, and beautiful through a value-based brand strategy. Plus, having tested the repellent ourselves in Costa Rica, Sicily, and Pantelleria, we can confirm the mosquitoes didn’t stand a chance.
The Origins of Calma Compania
As frequent travellers with a keen sense of responsibility toward the environment, Hemma and Cornelius found themselves frustrated by the limited options available in the natural wellness space. The lack of a truly effective, eco-friendly product that could be seamlessly incorporated into their travels was a problem they felt compelled to solve. And so, with a blend of passion and expertise, they launched Calma Compania.
What sets Calma Compania apart is the uncompromising connection between brand mission and product quality. For Hemma and Cornelius, the mission was clear: they wanted to build a brand that reflects the modern traveller’s mindset, someone who is not only mindful of the cultures they engage with but also conscious of the environmental footprint left behind. “We are facing challenging times,” says Hemma, “but these circumstances also call for more conscious consumption, and we see this as an opportunity for products where quality takes centre stage.”
When
Values
Shape
Identity
When you look through pharmacy and drugstore shelves, you’ll find that personal care and protection products are a price-sensitive category. Communication is centred around effectiveness, and chemicals are being spun into positive enhancers. The idea of protection is visually underlined by bright colours that all strike attention and speak to the customer’s alert. A battle the two founders didn’t want to tap into, as Cornelius states: “When you start to consider the quality of ingredients and the associated costs, it quickly becomes clear that with shelf prices like 1.99€, something must be wrong, and there inevitably has to be a loser somewhere along the value chain. Our philosophy has always been that a reliable care brand has to actually care about their suppliers, their customers, the consumers, etc.”
By grounding themselves in these principles, Hemma and Cornelius have created a brand that refuses to promise what it cannot deliver. There are no false pretences or exaggerated claims. Instead, Calma Compania speaks to the human senses. The product comes in a sleek, visually and haptically appealing glass bottle, and the reduced branding is anything but loud. What you see is what you get, and that raw honesty attracts the modern customer. The fact that the product’s simplicity subtly blends in with the most different design directions of their distribution partners – premium hotels – clearly adds to the equation. The exclusiveness of these hotels is being transferred onto the products, making it a smart sales and marketing coup for Calma Compania.
A Brand for the Long Haul
The brand-building process for Calma Compania has never been about quick wins. Instead, it’s been a slow, deliberate journey rooted in a deep respect for authenticity and quality. Hemma and Cornelius understand that great brands are not just built on the strength of a single product or campaign. They are shaped by the values they stand for, the communities they build, and the positive impact they make over time. This commitment is also reflected in their decision to donate 10% of the profits to the fight against malaria.
Looking to the future, Calma Compania remains dedicated to growth that feels natural and true to its founding principles. The expansion of their product line will stay firmly grounded in their vision of providing simple yet effective solutions for mindful travellers.
