Here’s our last Industry Insider for 2009! The master mind behind Wink Beauty Lounge, Vivian Ko.

Give us a brief background on yourself and what led you to open wink beauty lounge? I’ve been a licenced aesthetician / make-up artist in the cosmetics retail industry since 1996, working for Holt’s, the old Eaton’s, The Bay, the new Eatons and Sears. As a Decleor Paris trainer / spa manager and self proclaimed “Beauty Product Junky” I had shopped at many different beauty supply stores and trade shows and discovered that there was finally a better way of doing eyelash extensions. At first I was doing mobile make-up & eyelash extensions for friends. Before you knew it, I had rented my first studio on Robson Street.

Although we were busy with lash & brow services, my love of beauty products never died. I was the girl with the most lipsticks and shadows (probably still am) I accredit my husband Kevin for naming Wink Beauty Lounge. It’s truely been a labor of love, since the color scheme and even our Wink-mobile all were borrowed from our wedding. Wink Beauty Lounge & Boutique opened June 2008 as the first open concepted spa / boutique in trendy Gastown.

What are some of your favourite things? Pedicures and massages, Cle De peau Concealer, False Lashes, Anastasias Pro Eyebrow Kit, Armani Foundation, Decleor Prolegene Energizing Gel, Hello Kitty jewelery and accessories, one of the first Epi Louis Vuitton Bucket bags I ever owned in 1997 (still in mint condition), big belts and flat boots of all kinds, Purdy’s dark chocolate cashews, Borguese Tono Body Cream and spending time with my chocolate brown Chihuahua named Reeson.

What trends are you excited for in spring / summer 2010 ? It really depends on what’s coming up in fashion is how we can trend for spring / summer 2010 for make-up colours etc. I predict a  continuing contribution of cosmeceuticals and “green” beauty products to come. I think more women will be using more non-surgical services such as Mink-like eyelash extensions for a more “Au Natural” spring / summer and I predict another season of “Bright colours” for lips and nails.

What can you not leave home without? I can’t leave home without my Decleor Harmonie moisturizer, one really good purse, I have a love / hate relationship with my blackberry, The Balm - Hot Mama blush, Stimulash Lash Serum by Fusion Beauty or Revitash (I love any and all lash growth serums), Pupa Ultraflex Mascara, my tokidoki Helly Kitty keychain and lipgloss - currently using Chanel and Fusion Beauty’s new InFATuation paraben and silicone free.

What would be on your top 5 list  for gift suggestions this holiday season?
1. Fusion Beauty’s - Lip Fusion Color Shine Mini Set of 6 lipglosses $52
2. OPI’s Intense Envy Set - Nail Envy with free Avoplex High Insensity Hand Cream $21.95
3. Decleor Hydrafloral Gift Set - Full Size Hydrafloral Moisturizer, travel size Aromessence & free NEW Nourishing Aroma Lipbalm $69
4. Limited Edition Pupa Diamond Pallette - 4 Shadows $30
5. Essie Limited Edition Mini Winter Collection - Mint candy apple, Lollipop, Rock candy & 3 way glaze $16.95

Tell me one of the most important lessons you’ve learned that has helped you and your business. The most important lesson that I’ve learned that helped me in my business was the distinction between “attachment” versus “commitment”. I spent a lot of time perfecting my art of being a really good aesthetician and eyelash extension specialist. So I was very “attached” to my business in the sense that I thought that I could “do it all myself” and when I discovered that I couldn’t, I had a total break down of communication and leadership with my staff. Teaching was always one of my strong points and so the best advice that I can possibly give to a new entrepreneur is be committed to your business. I pushed my ego aside and committed to being a great boss. I found myself being the cause for the people in my company to become leaders in their industry. We are looking into opening up the second Wink Beauty Lounge in 2010.

Sunny Shum, Your Industry Insier