Taking care of one’s skin should be affordable with minimal downtime. Yen Reis, recognized an opportunity in the skincare market which led her to open Skin Laundry.
What’s your story?
While living in Singapore, I began experiencing hormonal acne after having my third son and I found a solution in mild Laser & Light therapy. It was fast, effective, and allowed me to maintain healthy skin. When I moved to Los Angeles, I saw a void in the market. There were no accessible, time efficient, and affordable professional laser treatments that produced results without any downtime. It was then I decided to open Skin Laundry, and developed a signature Laser & Light Facial at an affordable price so everyone can enjoy the benefits of lasers.
What excites you most about your industry?
The beauty business is an industry that is constantly improving and at Skin Laundry, we make sure to innovate as much as necessary to ensure our customers are taken care of and we are providing the best, most effective services at an approachable price. Also, there is so much opportunity for the Asia and United States skincare market to learn from one another. For instance, most women in Asia live by the philosophy that “bare is beautiful” therefore there is a massive demand in the beauty sector for flawless skin. After moving to LA, I noticed that the U.S. market was more focused on color cosmetics and skin care was secondary, the reverse of Asia. I didn’t see this as a disconnect but rather an exciting opportunity to merge the two philosophies and, most important to the Skin Laundry philosophy, empower people to show off their clean, “just laundered” skin across the U.S., in the United Kingdom and beyond!
What’s your connection to Asia?
I was born in Vietnam and migrated to Sydney, Australia when I was 2 years old. I moved overseas to San Francisco for a job in my 20s and then, ended up landing in Singapore, where I worked and lived for 13 years. It is also where I met my husband and had my three boys. I feel eternally connected to Asia.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Create your own opportunities–and always make the most of an opportunity!
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Hong Kong! Its dynamic, diverse and a hub for so many industries. I love how fast everyone moves there–and how efficient the city is. In Hong Kong, setting up a business like Skin Laundry is much easier than in the United States!
Who inspires you?
My husband, Julian Reis. He is the best father and husband, and a brilliant businessman. He inspires me to want to live life to the fullest, take risks, face challenges head-on…and he reminds me that I can do anything I want to do, as long as I put in the work and don’t give up.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
70% of the worlds millennials and Gen Z live in China and India!
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I know this sounds cliché, but I wouldn’t change anything. I am proud of the obstacles I’ve overcome to get where I am today. I’m proud of my flaws and my accomplishments. And I am so proud of my three strong, smart boys who keep me going and remind me not to take life too seriously.
How do you unwind?
A glass of red wine almost always does the trick!
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Phuket – We have had a home there for over 10 years and it’s our happy place. It’s always endless ocean, sunsets, family and great friends. It’s our heaven on earth.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Ray Dalio – Principles
Shameless plug for your business:
For world-class laser and light facials that are quick, have zero downtime, and give you enviably clean, glowing, smooth skin – at an approachable price — visit Skin Laundry 🙂
How can people connect with you?
The best way to get and stay connected is to follow us on Instagram and Twitter
—
This interview is part of the ‘Callum Connect’ series of more than 500 interviews
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started,
built and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder of The Marketing Group PLC. He is the author two best selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’ and ‘Agglomerate’.
Connect with Callum here:
twitter.com/laingcallum
linkedin.com/in/callumlaing
Download free copies of his books here: www.callumlaing.com
