When did you start your business?
It's been quite a journey, starting my research on bringing my vision to life back in 2006. It wasn't until around 2010 that I really kicked things off and began shaping the product idea into something with real potential.
The main challenge? Well, imagine me, just one person, trying to shake up a decades-old acne treatment routine. It took a while, but in the past couple of years, as undeniable case studies with their own patients emerged, other healthcare professionals began to see that SkinB5 is a genuine treatment option that delivers lasting results without any nasty side effects.

What was the inspiration behind your work/business?
Being someone who dealt with acne in the past, I decided to start SkinB5, a company that focuses on skincare treatments for healthy skin and acne control. My goal is to help others feel confident showing their true selves to the world.
My grandad was a chemist who made natural skincare products. I inherited his love for traditional medicine and creating natural skincare. His wisdom inspired me to seek a solution to my acne troubles by caring for my whole body.
I struggled with acne as a teenager and young adult. I searched high and low for a remedy to end my acne woes. Those harsh products recommended by 'beauty experts' only worsened my oily, breakout-prone skin. My skin didn't agree with chemical-based creams and washes.
Through SkinB5, I aim to carry on my grandad's legacy of making a positive impact by helping others heal and thrive.

What are you most excited about in your work/business?
I'm really thrilled that more and more people worldwide, including top-notch healthcare professionals like doctors and dermatologists, are pleasantly surprised by the life-changing results my invention brings to their patients.
But what really gets me going every morning and keeps me super motivated, no matter how tough things is reading emails from our customers pouring their hearts out, thanking SkinB5 for literally changing their lives!
Today, we're all geared up to make a bigger impact. We're excited to launch our partnership with i=Change, using our global reach for a greater good. We'd love to allow our valued customers to come on board this journey of empowering change. Every SkinB5 purchase they make on our website contributes to our mission of creating a better world, not just through our award-winning products, but by giving back to those who need it most.

What has been the most challenging thing about starting your work/business?
The primary challenge we faced was persuading healthcare professionals in Australia to recognise the effectiveness of the SkinB5 holistic acne treatment approach. Five years ago, our sales representatives would enter pharmacies to introduce SkinB5, only to receive polite smiles and responses like, "Interesting, but not suitable for our pharmacy."
To address this objection, we provided complimentary products to numerous pharmacy team members, including pharmacists dealing with severe acne, allowing them to experience the results firsthand. Eventually, community pharmacies began requesting SkinB5 from their wholesalers to stock our treatment range.
The establishment of the SkinB5 business was a grassroots endeavour, driven by positive word-of-mouth from actual acne sufferers. Despite lacking the substantial financial and personnel resources of global pharmaceutical companies, we eschewed the traditional top-down approach.

What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a work/business?
First off, trust your vision and just go for it! Don’t hold back waiting for validation from others – getting started is all about believing in yourself. As women, we often underestimate our capabilities and potential.
Work on your mindset – many of us battle with self-limiting beliefs that hinder our growth. Investing in a mindset coach can help break those mental barriers and nurture a positive mindset.
Surround yourself with a supportive tribe that aligns with your values – a crucial lesson I learned early on at SkinB5. Being around people who don't uplift you can hinder your progress.
Clearly define and live your WHY and values for your team and customers to connect with.
Recognise your strengths and weaknesses, and seek out partners who complement your skills.
Conduct thorough market research to gauge the demand for your products or services.

Why did you enter the Women Changing the World Awards?
During the COVID years, I had the idea to try entering awards. With all the extra time spent at home, I figured, why not make the most of it? So, I decided to participate in the Ausmumpreneur Awards. To be honest, winning wasn't on my mind; I simply wanted to challenge myself, step out of my comfort zone, and subject my business to evaluation by impartial judges. Sometimes I doubt myself, especially when running an innovative business that pushes boundaries - it makes you wonder if you're just deceiving yourself!
Despite my initial hesitations, I took a leap of faith and was pleasantly surprised to win three Ausmumpreneur awards! Subsequently, I discovered that the founders of the Women Changing the World Awards are the incredibly inspiring women, Peace Mitchell, Katy Garner, and Dr. Tererai Trent, whom I deeply admire. Intrigued, I decided to give it a shot, and to my amazement, I ended up clinching two WCW awards!
It's really an honour to get that recognition and validation.

What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
Receiving these awards meant the world to me. They serve as a validation that I'm on the right path, boosting my confidence and elevating my personal and brand profile. What's more, the WCW awards have connected me with an incredible global community of inspiring women driving change.
The invaluable connections I've made and the opportunity to collaborate with Peace, Katy, and Dr. Tererai Trent are truly priceless.
The awards also led me to co-authoring three books with other incredibly inspiring women, where these books directly back important causes like girls' education and women's entrepreneurship.

What surprised you most about the awards?
What really surprised me is how the awards shone a light on the amazing talents and the wide range of areas where women are truly making a difference every day for a better world around us.
I was really surprised to win, and then to go on and win over 10 awards from different groups - including two Women Change the World Awards! It's a fantastic confidence boost and validation that I'm doing the right thing, that I have something genuine and valuable to offer the world! And most importantly, my invention is making a positive difference in the world!

How did the awards help you in your work/business?
The awards have really put the spotlight on my brand, showing that we've got something special to offer and are making a difference in people's lives. It's been amazing to meet other fantastic people through the awards, particularly inspiring women who are trailblazers in their own way. I've made some great connections with women who are all about empowering each other.

What advice would you give to other women thinking about entering the awards?
Just go for it, believe in yourself and back yourself! If you're not sure how, ask others for help! Even if you don't win, the journey itself is worthwhile. You'll gain more confidence for the next time, get feedback on how to improve, and most importantly, a chance to meet other driven business women - the opportunity to network with others who are willing to lift each other up in our journeys is priceless.

What has been the best thing about starting your own work/business?
Being in the driver's seat, blazing trails, and charting my own path. You know, I didn’t have a background in pharmaceuticals or skincare - I was an urban planner with a love for skincare and holistic wellness!
But one thing I've always known is that running my own business puts me in charge of my life. I'm the boss of my own destiny, living each day with passion, and absolutely loving it with no regrets.

What’s happening next in your work/business?
We're currently in a phase of rapid growth and stepping into a new chapter of our journey. We're now part of the DBG Health and Vidacorp group of beauty brands, alongside well-known names like McoBeauty, Esmi, and Nude by Nature.

What are your big plans for the future?
SkinB5 is branching out into some major global markets - South Korea (where we already have loads of loyal fans in the world's most sophisticated skincare scene), the USA, and China.
We've got some really exciting and one-of-a-kind new products in the pipeline. And with more and more healthcare professionals like pharmacists, GPs, naturopaths, dermal clinicians, and dermatologists giving us the nod, SkinB5 is well on its way to being a top skin wellness brand in Australia and beyond.

How can we connect with you?

Website link: https://www.skinb5.com/
Social handles: @skinb5
https://www.instagram.com/skinb5/
https://www.facebook.com/SkinB5
https://www.youtube.com/user/skinb5video
https://www.linkedin.com/company/skinb5-pty-ltd/
https://www.tiktok.com/@skinb5

To connect with me personally:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judycheungwood
https://www.facebook.com/skinb5.jc/