Luxury K-beauty fans become brand investors
SEOUL TO BGC Park Jun, chair of P&J corp. that operates Eco Jardin, with the six women who brought the 50-year-old K-beauty brand to the Philippines: (From left) Rotina Lim, Ingrid Tan, Mary Jane Uy, Grace Uy, Mary Grace Lam and Angeline Tan —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
MANIA, Philippines — Six discerning women who appreciate beauty, wellness and good grooming believe in putting money where the head is, literally.
“This journey started with a simple conversation among friends—over a game of mahjong, no less! We were reminiscing about our experiences in Korea and how incredible their salons were. The attention to detail, the level of care, and the way they truly prioritized wellness—unfortunately, we couldn’t find anything quite like that in the Philippines. That’s when the idea was born: Why not bring that experience here?” says Grace Uy, one of the cofounders of Eco Jardin Philippines.
Uy and five of her amigas, all from entrepreneurial families, brought to the Philippines Eco Jardin, a luxury K-beauty brand whose head and scalp services they all relish.
If her name rings a bell, it’s because she’s one and the same person as the cofounder, president and chief resource officer of fiber internet provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc.
Opening day of Eco Jardin at 2F High St Corporate Plaza BGC on Feb. 18
“What started as a casual discussion soon became something we were all deeply invested in. Before we knew it, we were pouring our time, energy, and passion into making this dream a reality. Every little detail mattered to us because we wanted to create more than just another salon—we wanted to create an experience,” Uy says.
First foray outside Korea
Each of these women is seen to contribute certain expertise and strengths to the fledgling business. This is Eco Jardin’s very first venture outside Korea, and the brand can’t entrust itself to just anyone who knocks on the door.
Aside from Uy, other investors are: Mary Grace Lam, Euroasia Marble & Granite Inc. cofounder and president; Rotina Lim, cofounder and president of importer and distribution firm East Asia Innovations Inc.; Ingrid Tan, director at Philman Group of Companies, which is into the importation and distribution of electrical and mechanical equipment; Mary Jane Yu, a psychologist from a family of chefs and restaurateurs, whose brands include Fisher Farms Inc. and Premium Feeds; and Angeline Tan, who has handled brands under Asia Brewery Inc.
READ: Philippines seeks codesharing agreement with South Korea
“All of us have our strengths. All of us are involved in business. Each person contributes what she could,” Uy says.
Coming from a business that specializes in stoneworks, Lim handled all the construction of Eco Jardin Philippines shop, which is located on the second floor of High Street South Corporate Plaza in BGC, Taguig.
“Ingrid is good at buying and sourcing everything for us. [Mary Jane Yu] is very meticulous, so [she looks at] all the details,” she notes.
“Tina, our superwoman, is all over, helping with marketing, PR, everything. The same goes for Angeline,” Uy says.
Each of these women is “selfless, dedicated and truly passionate,” Uy notes.
“They made sure that every part of this salon reflected the high standards we’ve set from the beginning.”
Luxury K-beauty fans become brand investors
‘Gold standard’ in Korean scalp care
Always on the lookout for the best beauty experiences, the women discovered EcoJardin in Seoul. Blown away by the level of service and meticulous attention to detail, they found themselves returning to Eco Jardin with every trip to Korea.
“We couldn’t stop thinking about it,” shares Mary Jane Yu, managing director of Eco Jardin Philippines. “After trying it once, we found ourselves booking appointments every time we went back. That’s when we knew this was something special.”
Eco Jardin has set the bar high in Korea’s hair industry, pioneering innovative scalp care treatments for over five decades. Beauty enthusiasts from around the world, even as far as Saudi Arabia, travel to Seoul just to experience its signature scalp treatments.
“We wanted to share this experience with our friends and family, so why not bring it here?” Yu adds.
No need to go to Korea
They secured the franchise, which means Filipinos no longer need to book a flight to Seoul to experience the viral Korean head spa.
The shop promises a premium scalp care and relaxation experience that fuses Korean expertise with holistic wellness. It offers both 15-step and 18-step treatments designed to address various scalp concerns.
The 15-step treatment focuses on cleansing and nourishing the scalp, ideal for those looking for regular maintenance and relaxation. The 18-step treatment is for individuals experiencing scalp issues such as dryness, dandruff, or thinning hair, providing intensive care through targeted serums and massage techniques.
The founders were surprised to learn how ingrained these treatments are in Korean culture and saw an opportunity to introduce this level of care to Manila.
“In Korea, regular scalp treatments are part of people’s beauty routine, even for men,” Yu adds.
No less than business tycoons Dennis Uy and Michael Tan (How could they say no to their spouses?) agreed to become “guinea pigs” before the public opening of Eco Jardin in February. And both were happy with the results.
Grace Uy —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
First global franchise
Founded in 2016 as a premium wellness brand, Eco Jardin was built on the philosophy of creating a serene, healing environment—an oasis amid the hustle and bustle of city life. “Beauty is about more than looking good—it’s about feeling good,” says Park Jun, founder and chair of the P&J Corporation, which operates the brand.
“Beauty is such a vast and expansive field, but at its core, it’s about making people feel more beautiful and connecting with nature. Eco Jardin embodies this philosophy, creating an urban retreat where people can relax, enhance their style, and embrace a more beautiful and enjoyable life,” he explains.
With the company’s goal to expand their unique services beyond Korean borders and to grow the business by introducing them to global markets, they see the Philippines as a ‘natural’ choice for expansion.
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“The Philippines is uniquely positioned for global expansion. With a predominantly English-speaking population and its status as a major international tourist destination, it has the potential to become a key hub for global business,” says Jan Won, president of Eco Jardin.
“All our stylists and their assistants undergo rigorous training so that every guest receives the highest level of service and experience. This is the authentic, original and true Eco Jardin—now in the Philippines,” Uy says.
After bringing the brand to the country, what the women hope to do is to help raise the bar in the beauty business and help upskill salon operators. Instead of opening a big chain of Eco Jardin shops across the archipelago, the vision is to cooperate with existing salon operators to use their Korean technology. A center of beauty school, they dream to be.
/rwd
