Kate Lee, who came to Canada from Taiwan almost 10 years ago is the proprietor of the In Beauty Spa.  The spa, which uses a combination of modern eastern and western philosophies in skin care, currently has three locations in Toronto.  The most recent spa opened in Yorkville in 2007.   Being a MedSpa, it also provides treatments which aren’t found in standard spas.

Working in skin care is a career change for Kate.  In university, she studied languages, though beauty and skincare had long been a hobby for her.  Kate received her first professional skin treatment when she was 19 years old.  Upon arriving in Canada, she went to beauty school for further training.  After her training, she attended many seminars to keep up with new trends.

Kate opened In Beauty Spa because she wanted to offer something different to Torontonians.  The spa some unique treatments not found in  such as light therapy.  Lumi and LED light therapy, for example, stimulates collagen, rejuvanates skin, tightens skin and tightens skin.  In Beauty Spa also offers Alpha LED OxyLight, a full body treatment involving oxygen circulating in a body chamber as well as LED light. 

Like all proprietors, Kate has had many challenges in her line of work.  For example, she must constantly train and retain her employees to ensure that the spa delivers the same high-standard services.  One must also keep up with new methods and philosophies.  Therefore, Kate and her business partner, Amy continue to attend trade shows, seminars and exhibitions to keep up with the trends.  Kate also has tips for people who want to start a spa:

“It’s very important to choose your spa location, study the market around, budget and develop unique treatment protocol to stand out yourself from competiontions.  Eventually good service plus using good products are the essentials.”

Currently, Kate is consulting for similar businesses, and has helped launch successful companies in cities across Canada.