From uni mates to millionaires: How two friends turned their shared love of coffee into a skincare business worth $20 MILLION

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Bree Johnson, an avid latte drinker, and Jess Hatzis, who prefers an espresso, have built their lives on the sacred coffee bean.

The Melbourne duo met while working at Red Bull - and became fast friends.

They were attending university at the time, Jess studying commerce and Bree completing a Journalism degree, when they started their first marketing venture.

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Bree Johnson and Jess Hatzis are the powerhouse behind Australian skincare label Frank Body and they're set to make a serious profit this year

But it's their second business, Frank Body, that's seen the girls products valued at $20 million.

They spoke to the Daily Mail Australia about how the brand began.

'We were friends before we went into business. I think you need to be before you jump into something like this. You need to be able to trust each other completely,' said Miss Johnson.

Their coffee-based scrub is made from Robusta beans rather than the traditionally served Arabica bean because it has a higher caffeine concentration. 

Campaign videos and images on social media have successfully launched the online brand into the retail market

The girls had no formal beauty training before launching Frank Body but had spent a decade of their adult lives trying different products out

Frank came about when they heard about women using coffee beans to exfoliate.

'The idea seemed brilliant. We wanted to have complete creative control of a brand.

'This was our chance!' said Miss Hatzis.

The girls had no formal beauty training before launching Frank Body but had spent a decade of their adult lives trying different products out. 

They liked the idea of using natural ingredients on their skin and they loved the brightening effect beans had on their bodies.

'We always say that one of our weaknesses became our strengths. So while we didn't start in the beauty space, we have evolved into it.

'There are some eye creams that use caffeine as a main ingredient but we're the only brand that sources all of their products from coffee,' said Miss Johnson.

The homegrown scrub grew in popularity on the internet and the girls admit they hadn't really thought about getting it on the shelves before now.

Frank Body has just launched its glow masks which are designed to be a 'quickie' pick-me-up for your face in the morning

'Moving into retail was really intimidating. We weren't sure exactly how our consumers would react to us being in store,' Miss Hatzis said.

'I think our biggest pinch me moment came when we partnered with Mecca. We often go into stores and can't find Frank because it's been sold out! It's really humbling.'

The pair worked alongside co-founders Steve Rowley and Alex Boffa to launch Frank Body internationally and with minimal shipping. 

Jess and Bree both admit this was one of the hardest parts about growing the business.

'We started Frank Body with a $10,000 investment. We're always telling people you don't need millions in capital to start. Don't be embarrassed by what you do have - just get the product out there!' said Miss Johnson

'It's hard work every day. But it's also so rewarding 

'We started Frank Body with a $10,000 investment. We're always telling people you don't need millions in capital to start. Don't be embarrassed by what you do have - just get the product out there!' said Miss Johnson.

Jess and Bree have just won the 2017 Veuve Clicquot New Generation Award which recognises 'successful, visionary, up-and-coming, entrepreneurial business women aged between 25 and 39 years old,' reported the Financial Review.

Frank Body was originally available as just an exfoliating coffee scrub but now fans can buy face creams and masks

Both girls are avid supporters of start-ups and often give advice to new business owners about how they've come so far.  

Miss Johnson said: 'I have a jacket I wear around the office that says "Risk it for the biscuit" which I think might be my life motto!'

'We're always saying there is no right time to start a business. The stars will never perfectly align. Sometimes you've got to just bite the bullet and dive in,' added Miss Hatzis.

'We're always saying there is no right time to start a business. The stars will never perfectly align. Sometimes you've got to just bite the bullet and dive in,' added Miss Hatzis

Frank Body has just launched its glow masks which are designed to be a 'quickie' pick-me-up for your face in the morning.

They've also got other new products lined up for 2017.

'But obviously, it's a secret for now,' they said.