For Aivee Teo, founder of The Aivee Clinic, the journey to creating a beauty empire wasn’t easy. In fact, it was filled with doubt, uncertainty, and fear. “I was very scared because I was like, ‘How will I fill this up?’” Teo recalls about her first big step into the business world. “I was just too scared because I am not a businessperson. I just do it by gut or by feel, but I am not the type to be so daring.”
Despite her fear and lack of formal business training, Teo was driven by a clear vision: she wanted to create a beautiful clinic that would redefine the aesthetics and beauty industry. “I wanted something beautiful, aesthetically pleasing,” she says. “It was my first time to open a big clinic on my own. It was something that had never been done before.”
So, despite her fears, Teo decided to take the leap. She didn’t have a step-by-step business plan, but her gut and passion guided her. And when the clinic finally opened, something unexpected happened — people came. “I don’t know if there is such a thing as luck,” she says, “but I think I was just in the right place at the right time and at the right moment.”
The success of The Aivee Clinic wasn’t just due to timing; it was also a result of Teo’s willingness to trust her instincts and push through her uncertainty. By focusing on creating a clinic that embodied her passion for aesthetics and offering exceptional beauty services, Teo established a name for herself in the industry. The clinic’s success soon snowballed, leading to a network of clinics known for their innovative approach to skincare and beauty.
The takeaway:
Aivee Teo’s journey proves that sometimes the best business decisions come from following your intuition, even when fear tries to hold you back. By trusting herself and her vision, she built a beauty empire that continues to thrive, helping others look and feel their best.
This article includes quotes from an interview originally published by Esquire Philippines, authored by Henry Ong.
