We’re getting real with Kansoskin, a socially-conscious skincare brand aiming to destigmatise skin conditions, championing equality for all skin types. Joanne from this sibling-duo tells us more about her journey as an entrepreneur, as well as her minimalistic approach to the way they do things at Kansoskin. In our interview with Joanne, she opens up candidly regarding her biggest fears on starting a company from scratch, a refreshing take on what it really means to be your own boss. Joanne’s personal life also aligns with her brand philosophy—from her chill downtimes to meditative mornings, she truly understands what “less is more” means. 

Tell us a bit of yourself and what inspire you to start Kansoskin?
I was a cabin crew with Singapore Airlines before I startedd Kansoskin. My brother is my biggest inspiration for starting Kansoskin. We wanted to create skincare products specially for people with compromised skin conditions, including sensitive and eczema-prone skin.

Beyond that, we want to create more awareness about the various skin conditions to reduce the stigma surrounding these conditions.

What does a typical day look like?
A typical day for me includes a hot cup of coffee in the morning, a 10 minutes meditation session with my good friend before I start my day with work matters. I usually take time to wind down in the evening by going for walks with my husband (love long walks!) or just Netflix and chill at home.

Favourite part of your job?
My favourite part of the job is when friends/customers ask me questions about their skin and how to care for it. It always feels good when you are able to help, even if it is in small ways. I also love it when I receive kind messages from our customers and friends saying how our product help them feel better. I always feel humbled and appreciative, and it really helps me know that we are doing the right thing and moving in the right direction.

Most challenging part of starting your own business?
While there are many tangible issues when running your own business, for me, the biggest challenge is overcoming the little voice in my head telling me all the reasons how I am not suited to run a business and how it is not going to work out. Being a person with a lot of anxiety, this is still something that I have to work on every single day.

What do you envision your brand to be?
I envision Kansoskin to be more than just about products. I hope to be able to build a community for people with skin conditions and will continue to de-stigmatise the public perception of the various skin conditions.

What does success mean to you?
Personally, success to me is to one day be able to give back to society by providing meaningful employment opportunities for people with compromised skin conditions or support causes that we believe in. There are many despondent people who either got fired from their job or cannot find a job simply because of the state/appearance of their skin and I hope to be able to make a difference in this area.

How do you motivate yourself?
I motivate myself by having a reward system for myself when celebrating small wins. I also make it a point to exercise more regularly to build mental toughness. The simple act of being able to complete a run is very motivating for me.

What’s your morning routine or daily ritual?
A morning routine for me includes washing up, doing my skincare routine (SPF always!), a hot cup of coffee in the morning and a 10 minutes meditation.

What’s your advice to those who aspire to be an entrepreneur especially those who’s into natural and sustainable business?
My biggest advice is to really ask yourself why do you want to go into business? The reason is when the going gets tough (which it will), that answer is what is going to be your fuel to keep moving forward. I believe passion alone is not enough to sustain a business, it has to be more than that.

What’s your must-have self-care essentials?
My self-care essentials include a good calming cup of tea, a big, cozy blanket and a playlist of nice calming music.

What’s your favourite books/podcast/music that you live by? (If you have any)
My favourite books: The Rules of Life and The Alchemist.