Kim Tran is a 2015 Telstra Australian Young Business Women’s Award winner and Managing Director of La Belle Peau Skincare Clinic – which offers clients cosmeceutical skincare, paramedical skin treatments and beauty treatments. She opened her first skin and beauty clinic in 2007 at the age of 19, a year after she was Student of the Year in Dermal Science at Curtin University. La Belle Peau has become a multi-award winning clinic and a leader in the skin rejuvenation industry.
Can you give us an overview of your business?
La Belle Peau was established in 2007. At the time we were one of Perth’s first skin care clinics offering medical strength skin treatments with proven results.
Our mission is to help as many people as possible to feel confident in their own skin. Over the years we’ve pushed boundaries and developed breakthrough treatments using the latest state-of-the-art technologies.
In 2016, we launched the Extreme Skin Workout which turned us into a destination skin care clinic with local, interstate, and international clients seeking to transform their skin at our Perth Clinic.
This breakthrough treatment comprises of 5 medical strength treatments targeting all skin concerns safely combined together in a 3-hour session. It gives dramatic results for busy clients who need fast and long-lasting improvements.
We are also developing a very exciting range of cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals grade skincare as part of our mission to reach out and help as many people as possible to achieve great skin health.
What did you want to be when you left school? Did you study?
Growing up I wanted to study medicine or anything that allows me to help people. When I developed severe acne at the age of 13 I suffered from low self-esteem and confidence. As a result, I was determined to find a solution for myself and others. That led me to studying Cosmetic Dermal Science and becoming one of Australia’s first Dermal Therapists.
Was there a significant turning point when you decided to become an entrepreneur?
My experience as a beauty therapist was a turning point for me. I lost my passion for the industry because I struggled to deliver results for my clients with the limited knowledge and skill I had. I also felt more like a salesperson with the targets I was given as part of my job description. That was when I came across the new course, Cosmetic Dermal Science. Whilst studying this I realized that for me to follow my dream I had to start my own business as there weren’t any places at the time that would allow me to practice as a Dermal Therapist.
Was your entrepreneurial journey linked to your personal one?
My personal struggles with acne led me to opening La Belle Peau.
What do you believe was the best decision you made in business?
Six months into opening La Belle Peau I was considering closing my business because we were struggling to attract clients. At that time, I took a leap of faith and invested $35,000 into purchasing a skin analysis machine. This skin analysis technology captures images below the surface of the skin, allowing us to detect early signs of any problems and to track our client’s progress. Using this machine, we offered a money back guarantee if we were not able to improve our clients skin. This decision completely turned my business around. Within one year our revenue tripled and it hasn’t stopped growing since. This was the best decision I made in business.
Looking back is there a piece of advice you wish to pass onto someone starting out their entrepreneurial journey?
Prepare to work the hardest that you have ever worked and seek a mentor.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership?
I think the most significant barrier is our natural tendency to think we are not worthy. Self-belief is the key factor in everything I do.
What was the best advice that you have been given?
Surround yourself with people who are willing to support you and lead them to believe in your vision.
Other than your business, what other hats do you wear?
I wear a lot of hats outside my business. Apart from being a daughter, doting older sister, mommy to my fur baby, I am an ambassador for the Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science providing clinical experience for their students. I co-own Perth’s largest kid and dog friendly cafe called Slate Cafe which I built with 5 fellow “coffeesnobs”.
When you think of your journey, what is the thing you are most proud of?
My journey has been full of amazing experiences. A recent one which I’m most proud of would be receiving an invitation from our foreign minister, Julie Bishop, to have lunch with the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam in Parliament House Canberra. I was amongst a handful of young high achieving Vietnamese living in Australia to be chosen to share my story at this luncheon. It was an incredible experience and I had the opportunity to influence Vietnamese across Australia and back in Vietnam that if you are passionate about something and is willing to work hard you can be successful no matter what you do and where you are.
What is your favourite thing to do in your downtime?
Downtime is so precious to me as I don’t get much of it, but when I do I try to live in the moment and savour every minute of it. I love traveling, exploring new places to eat, spending time with family and friends, and taking my little Baylee for walks.
We Are Emersyn uses an inclusive definition “female” and “women” and we welcome trans people, women, genderqueer women, and non-binary people who identify, have identified, or have been identified as female, women, or non-binary.