▲ Nature Total Beauty Shop / CEO Lee Kyung-ok

The exports of domestic cosmetics ranked 5th in the world based on ITC in 2021. Korean makeup has begun to attract attention through music, dramas, and movies, and various tips are being shared through social media as well as product sales. Nature Total Beauty Shop CEO Lee Kyung-ok is one of those who have endeavored to promote Korean cosmetics to the world especially in the field of micro enterprises. 

 

All in one care from head to toe

Listing in Korea Consumer Satisfaction Awards

Located in Gimhae South Gyeongsang Province, Nature Total Beauty Shop is providing all about beauty care from hair, skin and body to scalp, nail, makeup, eyelashes and waxing in single, couple and group rooms. Customers can also relax at an in-house cafe before and after care over a cup of coffee or tea. The shop uses the highest quality products for the highest quality service, and competent professionals take care of customers from head to toe. CEO Lee, who boasts 27 years of expertise in the field defines beauty as a general art that implements with tips of fingers. Recognized by its passion and contribution, Nature Total Beauty Shop proudly listed name in the 2022 Korea Consumer Satisfaction Awards. 

 

Goals for strengthening the capabilities of the domestic beauty industry

Nature Total Beauty Association & Nature International Industry Development Association

Founded in 2015 by CEO Lee, the Nature Total Beauty Association has been carrying out joint brand franchise, beauty technology, education, manual development, and international exchange. Lee said, “The beauty industry is a difficult market to grow with the efforts of individual small business owners. I established the association to promote self-reliance and sustainable growth through joint efforts.” This went one step further by establishing the Nature International Industry Development Association in 2020, opening more than 20 branches across the country, and providing management competency reinforcement, technology transfer, and consulting. The association started with 6 directors and has grown to 31 directors and 70 union members (instructors). For this achievement, the association was selected as an exemplary cooperative in 2016 and 2017. It also has received numerous prizes and citations from Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, Small and Medium Business Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and lawmakers. 

 

Nurturing beauty talents

Signing an agreement with Inje University Lifelong Education Center to nurture talent

Nature Total Beauty Shop runs various certificate courses alongside management, marketing and customer services in order to foster talented future beauty experts. The shop also participated in numerous beauty related fairs home and aborad and runs overseas field trip for students. The Nature International Industry Development Association in particular signed an agreement with Inje University Lifelong Education Center to nurture beauty talents. For this, the center has opened 7 courses including beauty management. Especially, Lee herself is joining the beauty and future industry CEO course as a guest professor to share her years of expertise in the field. She is also an advisory professor of the university. 

 

Holding JIBC Beauty Skills

1m200 people participated

The Nature International Industry Development Association has held the JIBC Beauty Skills since 2021. The competition categories this year are skin beauty, rehabilitation sports therapy, hair, makeup, skin art, eyelashes (hair loss), nails, permanent makeup, waxing, scalp care, and SMP 11, an increase of two from last year. A total of 500 people participated in this year’s competition, and over 1,200 beauty talents were discovered over 2 sessions. It was sponsored by Inje University, Gimhae City Council, Gyeongsangnamdo Council and many more. 

 

Consultation for small business owners

Receiving presidential prize

CEO Lee has provided consultation for many small business owners especially in times of economic hardship during the pandemic. CEO Lee said, “I suggested improvements to small business owners who are experiencing financial difficulties to help them do better, and introduced ways to recover, such as government support, for those who have closed their businesses.” She also provides mentoring and career training at various social welfare centers. In recognition, Lee received a presidential prize at the 2022 Korea Micro Enterprise Convention for helping legional micro business owners for the last 20 years. Lee said that receiving the prize would not be possible without the hard work of her colleagues and partners and she would keep doing her best to bring more benefits to small business owners and neighbors in need. 

권동호 기자  dongho2010@naver.com