ilya@malikov.ch
Book a 30-min call

The right distributors for your beauty brand across EMEA, the Middle East and CIS

I find, sign and manage distribution partners for beauty brands – and help distributors build the right brand portfolio. 20+ markets launched or restructured · 10+ years in the beauty industry · negotiations in EN / DE / RU.
Book a 30-min call See services

Who I work with

Two sides of the same market. I have run both, which is why partnerships I set up hold.

Beauty brands & producers

You need the right partner in a new market – and a sales plan that survives year one

  • Entering EMEA, the Middle East or CIS without a local network
  • A distributor that under-delivers, or a transition you need to manage cleanly
  • No internal export team yet – you need someone to run it hands-on
Book a 30-min call
Distributors & retailers

You want brands that fit your portfolio – and a fair, workable contract

  • Looking for selective, science-based or dermocosmetic brands for your market
  • Negotiating terms, exclusivity and marketing support with a European producer
  • Building the business case and forecast a brand will sign off on
Discuss your portfolio

Strategic Partners

Beauty brands and distributors I support long-term

International Experience in Numbers

  • 10+
    Years of hands-on international business development experience
    in the global beauty industry
  • 20+
    International markets launched, developed or restructured
    across Europe, Middle East and Asia
  • 3
    Working languages – EN, DE, RU – so negotiations with partners in Europe, the Gulf and CIS happen without an interpreter

Six ways I take a brand from export-ready to selling

Pick one service or combine them into a full market-entry programme. Every engagement is scoped to your markets, portfolio and team.
  • Market Readiness & Export Audit
    Assessment of brand, portfolio, pricing, positioning and internal processes to evaluate international market readiness and define the right expansion strategy.
  • International Market Entry Strategy
    Development of a clear, realistic go-to-market strategy including market prioritisation, pricing structure, positioning and route-to-market.
  • Distributor Search & Selection
    Identification, audit and acquisition of the right distribution partners based on strategic fit, capabilities and long-term growth potential.
  • Interim Export Director / Market Launch
    Hands-on leadership for international expansion projects: market launches, internal export setup, team structuring and implementation of management tools.
  • Distributor Management & Optimisation
    Improving performance of existing distributors through contract optimisation, KPI alignment, governance models and structured cooperation.
  • Distributor Change & Market Transition
    Supporting producers through challenging distributor transitions: exit planning, contract termination, selection of a new partner and a smooth market handover without loss of sales.

From first call to a working partnership – in four steps

No slide decks for the sake of it. You get a clear plan, then hands-on execution in the market.
Initial Inquiry
You share your business challenge, market ambitions or specific project scope — whether it’s market entry, distributor optimisation or strategic support.
Strategic Alignment
We discuss objectives, market context and constraints, align on priorities and define the most effective engagement format.
Strategy & Execution
Depending on the project, this includes strategy development, partner acquisition, negotiations, internal setup or hands-on execution across selected markets.
Results & Ongoing Support
You receive clear outcomes, actionable frameworks and — where relevant — continued advisory support to ensure sustainable growth.

Markets I have opened, run or restructured myself

Not a list of countries from a map. In each of these I have sat across the table from distributors, retailers and regulators.
  • Markets launched
    • CIS
    • Uzbekistan
    • Malaysia
    • Singapore
    • Poland
    • Bulgaria
    • Slovenia
    • Baltic States
    • Jordan
    • Iraq
  • Markets with deep operational experience
    • Kazakhstan
    • UAE
    • Qatar
    • Kuwait
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Hungary
  • Active professional network
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • Central Asia
    • Asia-Pacific
    • CIS

Segments where I know the buyers, the margins and the regulators

Selective beauty only. If your brand sells on ingredients, science or heritage rather than price, we speak the same language.
  • Premium & Luxury Beauty
  • Science-based & Natural brands
  • Dermocosmetics & Cosmeceuticals
  • Masstige beauty concepts

Ilya Malikov

International Business Development & Market Expansion
Beauty Industry
I am an international business development professional specialising in the beauty industry, working with cosmetic brands and distributors across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
I support brands and distributors in building, optimising and scaling international business models — from export readiness and market entry strategy to distributor acquisition, performance optimisation and long-term growth.
My approach combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution, supported by a deep understanding of both brand and distributor perspectives.

Three ways to work together

Scoped to your markets and objectives. You will know the format and the fee before we start – no surprises later.
  • Strategic Consultations
    Focused expert sessions to analyse your challenge, validate assumptions and define next steps.
    Format: hourly basis.
  • Project-Based Engagements
    End-to-end support for defined international growth projects such as market entry, distributor change or internal export setup.
    Format: fixed project fee, based on scope and timeline.
  • Long-Term Advisory & Interim Roles
    Ongoing strategic guidance or interim leadership for brands and distributors managing multi-market operations.
    Format: monthly retainer, with performance-based component when applicable.
Book a 30-min call

Tell me about your market and I will tell you what I would do

Prefer to talk? Book a 30-minute call directly. Otherwise describe your project below – I read every message personally and reply within two working days.
Arbon, Switzerland
By clicking "Send" you agree to the processing of your data as described in our Privacy Policy.