Beautypreneur Nikki Tang and Charles Mandy of DMark Beauty and DermAsia on the Beauty of Collaborative Business

From pioneering the distribution of beauty products and equipment to the Philippines to working together as siblings, Nikki Tang and Charles Mandy share success secrets on how they made it work.

Beauty is an ever-changing concept—dictated by trends and perceptions. This thriving industry in the Philippines boasts a significant demand for personal care products, attested by the 110 million (2% to 5% of the total population!) who are able to spend on higher-end beauty products and a US$5.89 billion (around PHP 333.93 billion) valuation in 2023 that is expected to grow annually by 0.83% from 2023 to 2028.

While many brands, both local and international, have made their way to Philippine shores, there are veteran brands with decades of experience that have stood the test of time, and even businesses that have helped in building these brands up.

Case in point: DMark Beauty and DermAsia. Touted as the global beauty expert, DMark Beauty is a well-known distributor of brands like Heliocare, Neostrata, Bioderma, Coverderm, Sebamed, and Puressentiel. Meanwhile, DermAsia is the go-to distributor of medical and aesthetic devices to centers, hospitals, and clinics in the Philippines—with brands like Lumenis, Asclepion, Alma, Pollogen, Sygmalift, and Endymed under its wing.

Leading these two beauty giants are equally inspiring business figures: Nikki Tang and Charles Mandy. A name that is synonymous with beauty, Nikki is a woman of perseverance and grit—known foremost as an inspirational speaker and beautypreneur. But more so, she has made a name for herself in the industry as the multi-awarded CEO of both DMark Beauty and DermAsia, while her brother Charles takes on the equally illustrious role as the latter's Managing Director.

In this exclusive interview with The Business Manual, the two reveal success secrets and future plans for their respective brands and share what it's like working together as siblings.

From Siblings to Business Partners

Born to a Filipino-Chinese family meant that Nikki and Charles were equipped with the much-needed business skills to not only run the family business—but even start businesses of their own. As for how the two were thrust into the world of beauty, their origin stories vary, with Nikki's foundation built on an innate passion.

"Our career journeys have been quite different yet intertwined. I've always been passionate about the beauty and medical aesthetics industry," Nikki begins. "From an early age, I knew I wanted to make a difference in people's lives through beauty empowerment. As I delved into the industry, the vision of creating a business that would not only offer exceptional products but also empower individuals became clearer."

Charles, however, started out with a different mindset. "My career journey initially led me to explore various fields, but one common thread was our shared entrepreneurial spirit," he explains. "Growing up with Nikki, we've always had a strong connection and a natural alignment in our visions. While my path was more diverse, when Nikki presented the idea of creating a business together in the beauty and medical aesthetics field, it felt like the perfect synergy of our passions and expertise."

With that, the idea of DMark Beauty was born, and the two "decided to take the plunge together."

Founded in 1998, DMark Beauty aims to revolutionize the field of skincare and beauty aesthetics across the Philippines by distributing effective anti-aging skincare products, along with minimally invasive skin rejuvenation treatments. Under its wing include diverse brands like Heliocare, Neostrata, Bioderma, Coverderm, Sebamed, and Puressentiel.

To date, the company boasts many awards—including the Presidential Award by the Philippine Dermatological Society in 2016, the SME Company of the Year Award by the Asia CEO Awards in 2017, and the Philippine Dermatological Society Appreciation Award in 2020, among others.

"The idea resonated deeply with both of us, and we believed that by joining forces, we could create something truly special and impactful in the industry," says Charles about his collaborative partnership with Nikki. "And so, our journey as business partners began, and it has been a remarkable and rewarding ride ever since."

Capitalizing on the Synergy of Beauty and Science

Following the inception of DMark Beauty came the rise of DermAsia in 2005. The force behind some of the country’s biggest aesthetic clinics and hospitals of today, DermAsia has partnered with key international brands like Lumenis, Asclepion, Alma, Pollogen, and Sygmalift to provide medical and aesthetic devices to hospitals and clinics nationwide.

"The beauty industry is a world where creativity, science, and passion come together," Nikki expresses. "We wanted to create a place where people could experience the latest advancements in beauty and medical aesthetics—guided by expert doctors. It wasn't just about looking good; it was about feeling good, and that's how DermAsia was born."

"We saw the opportunity to not only offer exceptional products but also provide top-notch services backed by expert dermatologists," Charles adds. "It was a perfect fusion of beauty and science, and we knew it could make a significant impact in people's lives."

With that in mind, the two hoped to address prevalent pain points in the industry. These include, in Nikki's words, "the lack of personalized and expert-guided solutions for individuals seeking beauty treatments."

"We saw many people struggling to find effective, safe, and tailored treatments that truly addressed their unique needs and concerns," she elaborates. "This inspired us to create a platform where cutting-edge science and beauty artistry converge—led by expert dermatologists and aesthetic practitioners. We wanted to provide a holistic approach that not only enhances external beauty but also prioritizes overall well-being."

Another pain point that Charles notes is "the fragmentation of the beauty industry," or simply, a gap between product suppliers, doctors, and beauty professionals. This meant that people couldn't get what they needed...when they needed it.

This was where their business came in. "We envisioned a streamlined ecosystem where all elements seamlessly collaborated to deliver exceptional results," he explains. "This realization encouraged us to foster strong partnerships with global leaders and industry experts, ensuring that our customers receive the highest standards of care and the latest innovations in beauty and medical aesthetics."

The Beauty of Working With Siblings

There is power in numbers and this rings true for Nikki and Charles, who have built a foundation of trust and understanding—not just as siblings, but also on a professional level. "Our dynamics in the workplace are complementary," Nikki says proudly.

"I focus more on the creative aspects, branding, marketing, and engaging with our community. Charles, on the other hand, is exceptional in operations, logistics, and finance. Together, we make a formidable team, leveraging our strengths to drive the growth of both DMark Beauty and DermAsia," she continues.

"We play to our strengths [and] we trust each other's judgment," Charles adds. "That mutual respect allows us to make sound decisions for the companies we deeply care about."

For the sister and brother tandem, balancing their relationship as siblings and business partners has always been the key to maintaining a healthy dynamic. "Open communication and mutual respect are key," Nikki says simply. "We set aside dedicated time to discuss work matters and make sure to respect personal boundaries outside of business hours."

"It's all about striking the right balance," Charles adds. "While we're passionate about our businesses, we recognize the importance of preserving our sibling relationship. We make an effort to engage in non-work-related activities, whether it's family gatherings or simply catching up over dinner. We see to it that there are clear boundaries between work and personal life."

But just like any other relationship, this dynamic comes with its ups and downs. "Sibling dynamics can sometimes blur the lines between personal and professional matters, leading to emotional tensions from time to time," he opines. "However, we've learned to turn these challenges into opportunities for growth and learning. By leveraging our differences and complementing each other's skills, we overcome obstacles and drive innovation in our businesses."

Simply put, both Nikki and Charles believe that "the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and the journey of building and growing our ventures together is truly rewarding."

Overcoming Challenges and Coming Out Strong

Even the most seasoned entrepreneurs face their fair share of challenges building their businesses from the ground up and Nikki and Charles were no exception.

Building on Trust

The landscape of the beauty industry in the Philippines was very much different back then. "One of the significant hurdles was breaking through the market and establishing ourselves as a credible and innovative player," Nikki recalls. "Convincing people to trust our products and services required a concerted effort to showcase the effectiveness and safety of our offerings."

And to ensure the credibility of their products, people needed to see the results.