In the ever-evolving world of hair loss and skincare, one name stands out as a beacon of innovation and affordability: Jenna Chan. With over two decades of experience in the industry, 59-year-old Jenna Chan has become a trailblazer, providing accessible PRP & PRF hair loss treatments, Neo Graft Hair Transplants, injectables, and fillers across Australia. But her journey is not just about business success; it’s a tale of determination, resilience, and a mother’s unwavering commitment to her children’s future.
Jenna Chan’s story is not that of an overnight sensation but rather a lifelong dedication to her craft. With a career spanning more than 20 years, she has not only honed her skills but also refined her mission to make top-tier treatments affordable for everyone. As a single mother facing challenges head-on, Jenna has embodied the spirit of entrepreneurship, determined to reshape the skincare world.
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jenna Chan’s Hair and Skin Science clinics experienced a surge in demand, igniting an exponential growth phase. With her finger on the industry’s pulse, she seized the opportunity and expanded her vision. Today, her clinics have become a symbol of excellence. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about giving clients the confidence to face the world with rejuvenated skin and hair.
Jenna’s journey is intrinsically tied to her aspiration to provide her children with more than she had growing up. At 59, she took the courageous step to launch her own anti-aging skincare clinic, a move that wasn’t without its challenges. As she navigated the highs and lows of business ownership and single-handedly raised her family, Jenna’s story became an embodiment of strength, determination, and unyielding love.
Hair and Skin Science’s commitment from day one has been to offer affordable, effective hair loss and skin treatments performed by medical experts. The clinics have not only fulfilled this promise but exceeded it.
With treatments carried out by medical doctors and nurses, they’ve conducted over 100,000 PRP hair loss treatments and 30,000 PRP skin treatments. These figures aren’t just statistics; they’re testaments to lives transformed and confidence restored.
In the world of skincare, Hair and Skin Science has emerged as the go-to destination for the famous ‘vampire facial.’ By harnessing the body’s own resources, the procedure rejuvenates the skin, leaving clients with a fresh and youthful appearance. This innovative technique, beloved by celebrities like Kim Kardashian, has solidified Hair and Skin Science’s reputation as an industry pioneer.
Jenna Chan’s journey has evolved into a family affair as she partnered with her son, Royce. Together, they have not only embraced success but multiplied it. With the recent launch of eight additional clinics, their collaborative efforts have brought the total number of Hair and Skin Science clinics to an impressive 25.
Jenna Chan’s story is one of passion, innovation, and family values. From her early struggles to the heights of success, she continues to leave an indelible mark on the hair loss and skincare landscape. Through affordable treatments, unwavering dedication, and love for her children, Jenna Chan is transforming not just faces but lives throughout Australia.
MoneyCentral magazine recently had the opportunity to connect with Jenna Chan to delve into her entrepreneurial journey, and here’s a glimpse into the insightful conversation.
Can you tell us about your journey in the beauty industry and how it led you to launch your own anti-ageing skincare clinic, Hair and Skin Science?
I have worked for several small cosmetic clinics for many years. Many loyal clients and friends encouraged me to open my own clinic, and they said they would support me….so I did. I opened my first clinic at 59 years old. Better late than never.
What inspired you to focus on affordable hair loss and skin treatments, performed by medical doctors or nurses, as your mission for Hair and Skin Science clinics?
Many cosmetic clinics had only focused on injectables, so I saw a gap in the market for medical cosmetic clinics offering both hair loss and skin rejuvenation treatments. Affordability is important to me as I’ve always struggled throughout my life with financial hardship, so I made it my mission to make our services accessible to the majority of people living in Australia. Everyone deserves to feel happy and confident!
With the exponential growth of Hair and Skin Science after the Covid-19 pandemic, can you share some insights into the strategies that contributed to your success during challenging times?
Thankfully, in Australia, the government was helpful in providing some financial support to pay staff wages and clinic rents. We did our best to pivot during the pandemic. However, our core service is in-clinic. We were able to provide hair regrowth & skin products to patients during the lockdowns.
My son and I had strategised to expand rapidly during the reopening post-pandemic. We saw this as an opportunity to sign leases at great prices and push ahead while other businesses were being very conservative.
How did you manage to navigate the financial hardships and highs and lows of doing business while being a single mother raising two young children?
It was tough being a single mother throughout the years. Truthfully, before Hair and Skin Science launched in April 2017, I didn’t have much to my name at all. I’m now almost 65 years old, and my life is completely different from what it was only seven years ago. It’s never too late to go after your dreams!
The ‘vampire facial’ has become a popular treatment at Hair and Skin Science. Could you explain how this procedure works and what makes it stand out from other skincare treatments?
One of our most popular skin treatments is the vampire facial, which became famous because of Kim Kardashian.
The procedure is performed in four simple steps:
1. A registered nurse takes a small sample of your blood.
2. This blood is spun in a centrifuge, separating the platelets (growth factors) from the red blood cells.
PRP solution is applied using tiny injections combined with microneedling.
Vampire facials combine the powers of micro needling and PRP. During a traditional micro needling treatment, needles create tiny incisions in the skin, stimulating the skin to repair itself with new collagen and elastin. However, in a vampire facial, this is coupled with platelet-rich plasma, which contains growth factors to help stimulate repair.
Opening 25 clinics in Australia in such a short period of time is a remarkable achievement. What were the key factors that enabled you to expand your business to this scale?
There are three key factors that I never lose sight of while building Hair and Skin Science. One is customer satisfaction, affordability, and employee satisfaction. I do my best to address these three core factors while continuing to expand continually.
Can you elaborate on your partnership with your son, Royce, in running the business? How has this collaboration contributed to the success of Hair and Skin Science?
Royce and I are like Ying and Yang! I’m so lucky that we work well together and have complementary skills. Royce is very good at brand building, marketing, and finance. I’m really good at being hands-on and internally operating clinics and empowering key staff. It’s important to find a business partner with a different skill set to grow the business to its full potential. In my opinion, if you’re about to start a business with a friend or relative, I’d make sure that your skills are complementary and not overlapping too much.
Hair and Skin Science clinics have performed an impressive number of PRP hair loss and skin treatments. What sets your clinics apart in terms of customer satisfaction and results?
We have built a culture at Hair and Skin Science of putting the customer first and always doing the best we can to provide an affordable service that provides excellent hair and skin rejuvenation results.
We also have unique treatment protocols exclusive to Hair and Skin Science. These strict protocols are used by all our medical doctors and registered nurses.
What has been the most rewarding part of your journey as a business owner in the beauty industry, and how do you measure the impact of your work on your clients?
Being able to develop and nurture our registered nurses into leadership positions and give them opportunities to further their careers and aspirations. It is so satisfying to watch it unfold! Happy registered nurses mean happy patients! We measure the impact of our work through online reviews and word of mouth. If you’re doing a great job, patients will refer their friends and relatives.
Your story is truly inspiring, showcasing that it’s never too late to chase your dreams and achieve success. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those who face challenges like financial constraints or age-related concerns?
Never, ever give up. You cannot fail if you never give up. There are many people who became successful entrepreneurs much later in life. Age is not a reason not to go for your dreams. You have the experience and wisdom that many young people do not. I also see having financial constraints as an advantage! It forces you to get creative and really squeeze as much as you can out of every dollar. These skills that you develop will set you up for continued success.