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In the event you’ve ever felt a visceral void when making an attempt to attach with others, maybe what’s lacking is jeong (정), a Korean idea that encompasses the feelings of goodwill, heat, and affection. For many years, it has been a non-verbal aspect that seeped its approach into each a part of Korean tradition and society, and it has now evoked nice world curiosity as properly. For Kate Wooyeon Park, founding father of Dubai-based Korean magnificence (aka Okay-beauty) model Lamise Magnificence, jeong has been a driving pressure in how she’s constructed her firm from the bottom up. “In Korean enterprise tradition, jeong is a phrase that’s regularly used to explain the significance of relationships,” Park explains. “On this case, it means constructing deep emotional connections and mutual understanding with folks in and round your small business. This shapes my management by placing plenty of effort into forming significant relationships with my staff, my clients, and my suppliers. I see enterprise relationships as long-term connections, valuing loyalty and belief over fast wins.”
Park, a local of South Korea who moved to the UAE a decade in the past, based Lamise Magnificence in 2017. Merchandise from a variety of Korean skincare and beauty manufacturers -including Okay-beauty biggies like Cosrx and MediHeal- are offered through its on-line platform (with UAE-wide supply), and in addition at a brick-and-mortar store situated at The Greens, a residential group in Dubai. And like many entrepreneurial ventures usually do, Lamise Magnificence too was born out of an issue Park confronted firsthand. “After I moved to the UAE from Korea 10 years in the past, my pores and skin wanted to regulate to the dry local weather, because it grew to become dehydrated and irritated regularly,” she recollects. “I began experimenting with new merchandise, after which bringing my favourite magnificence merchandise from Korea, however as soon as I began to share the cosmetics with my buddies, they all the time requested me to carry extra. That’s after I realized that the standard of Korean beauty merchandise may very well be appreciated not solely by Koreans, but additionally by others from many different nations.”
Park thus realized that there was a possibility to carry Korean skincare to the UAE in a approach that blends completely with Emirati tradition, and it is a notion that she has caught to as she arrange and constructed her enterprise. For starters, her enterprise’s identify is derived from the Arabic phrase “lamees” (لميـس), which implies “tender contact”. “Pure components -such as aloe vera, rose, honey, avocado, prickly pear, and so on.- are valued in each Korean and Emirati skincare traditions,” Park notes. “Highlighting the advantages of those components created a reference to clients from completely different cultural backgrounds. I thus determined to launch Lamise Magnificence to assist increase consciousness about caring for your pores and skin, and to offer a platform for the folks within the area to expertise many various Korean magnificence manufacturers, below one roof.”
The Lamise Magnificence staff. Supply: Lamise Magnificence
Now, it is protected to say that Park’s entrepreneurial journey has been aided by the Korean Wave, or Hallyu (한류), which refers back to the rising affect of Korean popular culture throughout the globe. However whereas Park is not dismissive of the optimistic affect of this cultural shift, she additionally factors out that it’s the Okay-beauty merchandise themselves that deserve essentially the most credit score for Lamise Magnificence being successful out there. “Hallyu has positively performed a job within the elevated curiosity in Korean cosmetics, however I imagine that, finally, prime quality merchandise with modern skincare formultions which assist everybody’s pores and skin considerations is a major issue,” Park says. “This has led to many magnificence specialists and influencers from completely different cultures to share plenty of details about Okay-beauty equivalent to components, find out how to use sure merchandise, and optimistic outcomes, amongst others. It’s this motion that has inadvertently elevated the variety of shoppers who select Okay-beauty merchandise.”
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However with the elevated client curiosity have come some particular logistical challenges that Park and her staff have needed to overcome. “With the rise of recognition, the market has additionally seen a rise in counterfeit merchandise being offered by unofficial channels as of late,” she laments. “Counterfeit product producers copy a model’s picture, merchandise design, and promote them at decrease costs. Most clients can due to this fact not inform which one is genuine till you utilize it. For this reason Lamise Magnificence is working straight with every model from Korea, and we all the time give the best data to clients about genuine merchandise. I imagine that the worth of Lamise Magnificence is constructed primarily based on this authenticity and transparency.”
However in reaching such a degree in its progress, Park needed to first uncover what was one of the best ways to attach with clients. In response to Park, this was a studying curve that has molded her into the chief she is in the present day. “To start with, it was all about promoting the merchandise on our platforms, with out understanding the market, or a concrete technique,” Park reveals. “With time, I noticed that understanding and assembly buyer wants is essential. This led me to give attention to listening to their pores and skin considerations to seek out the best merchandise for them, and take a look at them completely. In consequence, we had been capable of make the customers glad and comfortable by good outcomes. Additionally, having an ideal staff who has the identical enterprise thoughts is crucial. Our staff spends plenty of time on finding out manufacturers, merchandise, and advantages of components. We take a look at the merchandise collectively, and share buyer suggestions each day. This shifted my management model towards empowering and supporting my workers to be Okay-beauty advisors.”
For Park, curating operations primarily based on the patron’s delight has transitioned into one thing of a driving pressure as properly. “What motivates me to maintain transferring ahead is when good suggestions from a buyer is shared with us,” she says. “Participating with a Korean skincare community drives my ardour for my work. Constructing connections with like-minded people who share the dedication for skincare can create a supportive community, and encourage recent concepts.” Plus, having skilled first-hand how Okay-beauty merchandise have helped her really feel higher about herself, Park hopes what Lamise Magnificence now provides helps others really feel the identical approach. “I imagine that staying up to date concerning the newest tendencies and know-how -and making use of that on my skin- builds confidence, each bodily and naturally,” Park says. “Embracing your physique is essential, and the pores and skin is the most important organ in your physique. And so, I imagine incorporating new, thrilling merchandise in our portfolio, as we attempt to keep on the forefront of innovation, will, in flip, instill confidence in our clients who search the most recent and only skincare options.”
Kate Wooyeon Park, founder, Lamise Magnificence. Supply: Lamise Magnificence
After I ask Park what her life’s best enterprise achievement has been thus far, she incorporates a sentiment that has been peppered throughout her whole narration of her entrepreneurial journey: an immense pleasure in her heritage. “As a businesswoman and as a Korean, considered one of my proudest achievements has been efficiently increasing our Korean skincare manufacturers into the Center East,” Park says. “Breaking into new markets required cautious planning, cultural adaptation, and a deep understanding of our merchandise, in addition to world client preferences. And most significantly, I’m so proud that I may have many purchasers who’re pleased with our merchandise, and belief Lamise Magnificence.”
‘Trep Discuss: Lamise Magnificence founder Kate Wooyeon Park shares her suggestions for entrepreneurs.
Imagine in your self “Confidence is your energy in enterprise. It helps you navigate challenges with power and authenticity. Be assured, and communicate up.”
Continue learning, and be versatile “All the time be curious and open to studying. The enterprise world adjustments, so adaptability is essential. Keep knowledgeable about your trade, and be able to embrace new concepts.”
Construct a supportive community “Encompass your self with mentors and supportive individuals who can supply steering and encouragement. Having a powerful community is like having a staff cheering in your success.
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