Today we’d like to introduce you to Gaby Garcia.
Gaby, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started my career working in the fashion/beauty business immediately after college. I had done some modeling while in school and after graduating with a degree in Business, was asked by a close friend of Gianni Versace to assist in the opening of one of his boutiques in Miami Beach. I worked there for two years and helped organize a few fashion events and was later recruited to join a public relations firm where I represented a number of beauty, dermatology and fitness companies. While representing one of Miami’s top plastic surgeons, I was recruited by Allergan to join as a business development specialist. It was at that time that I decided to take on competitive triathlon, which in South Florida, is murder on your skin! With my background in beauty and skincare, I was very aware of the need to protect the skin from the elements in order to protect its health and appearance. An excellent skin care regimen became of paramount importance.
While at Allergan I also met my business partner, Lyle Martin and when I moved back to Southern California (I was born in LA and lived there until I was ten years old), we decided to parlay our extensive experience in the skincare space to create a line that was accessible to the every day woman but provided the results normally limited to to the professional dermatology realm. This is how -ism SKIN was born.
After nearly 20 years of working with dermatologists and engaging with their patients, we felt that the various product categories (medical, high-end retail, drugstore, etc.) and the constant “innovations” being marketed, were more often than not creating confusion and disenchantment for the beauty consumer. So we distilled what were clinically proven ingredient formulations to create a line of treatment serums that would simplify the beauty customer’s skincare regimen and provide the actual outcomes promised.
Of equal importance, we wanted to our brand to reflect more than just external transformation. We wanted to create a brand that highlighted the connection between inner and outer well-being and the interconnectedness of us all. I am committed to animal rights and our product line is cruelty-free and vegan. A portion of sales is earmarked towards supporting organizations that reflect our beliefs.
Has it been a smooth road?
I believe it’s all perspective. If you expect challenges and accept them as part of the process, they’re not really “negatives” or setbacks. They’re just part of the path. Starting a new venture, launching a new line, developing a new technology or brand, is always a challenge but that’s what makes it wonderful. Creation. It’s like competing in an Ironman: you can focus on the pain in your body during the race itself, or you can appreciate that feeling as the driver behind completing the task and reaching the finish line.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
-ism SKIN is a serum-only, therapeutic skin care line with six products designed to target specific skin care needs or concerns. The products are all formulated with medically proven ingredients in optimal potencies. The serums were developed by researching the specific ingredients that dermatologists universally agreed were the most effective and in the concentrations necessary to make them truly transformative.
We are the only serum-only skincare company that offers medical-grade treatments that contain the most clinically studied and proven ingredients and that address the most important skin concerns.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes! I lived on the east coast for many years and spent a lot of time in cities like Miami and New York. I love those places but have to say that Los Angeles and Orange County stand out in that, while very competitive business environments, there is a tremendous sense of support and community here. People are always willing to try new things and want to see you succeed. I am always amazed and overcome with gratitude by how many wonderful people consistently offer to assist with and support our venture. I love the West Coast mindset and feel that this area is one of the most fertile places to launch a new business. My heart has always been here and I’m thrilled to be back and to launch the line here.
Pricing:
- Sunny Disposition – Brightening + Hydration Alpha Linolenic + HA Serum – $85
- Personal Growth – Biomimetic +Neuropeptide Firming + Smoothing Serum – $97
- Youthful Exuberance – HA Spheres in Squalane Intense Moisture Serum – $72
- Fresh Perspective – Dark Circle + Puffiness Reduction Under Eye Serum – $60
- Daily Affirmation – 20% Vitamin C + B + E & Ferulic Antioxidant + Collagen Boosting Serum – $90
- Evening Meditation – 1% Retinol Intense Renewal Serum – $90
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ismskin.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: ISM_SKIN
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISMSKIN
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