1. What’s your earliest memory of “beauty”?
My earliest memory of beauty is watching my mom and grandmother get all dressed up, with their makeup on and hair done for the holidays. They always took care of their skin and loved presenting themselves in a glamorous way.
2. What inspired you to launch your brand?
We were inspired to start Vivier after seeing my mom and grandmother try so many products that just didn’t work.
With so many brands making false promises and products that weren’t effective—some even causing breakouts and other side effects—we had had enough. My father worked in pharmaceuticals, and my mom worked in clinical research, so we thought, why not bring a serious approach to skincare? What if we used pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, created a patented delivery system, and manufactured and tested our products to pharmaceutical standards? We never looked back, and the rest is history—Vivier was born.
3. How have your personal values shaped your brand?
We believe that a brand should be honest and transparent about its science, innovation, and technology. When you spend your hard-earned money on skincare products, they should deliver transformative results. That’s why we chose the butterfly as our symbol—it represents life and transformation, just as we aim to bring vitality back to the skin.
As a family and a brand, we also deeply believe in philanthropy and the importance of giving back. We have supported and continue to support many charities. It’s essential to make the world a more beautiful place, both inside and out.
4. What was your greatest hope for your business when you started out?
Our biggest hope was to help people achieve not just beautiful skin, but healthy skin. We wanted everyone who tried our products to recognize that they’re made with only the best ingredients and crafted with the utmost care. After all, our promise is “The Beauty of Results.”
5. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an entrepreneur?
The biggest challenge as an entrepreneur has been trying to maintain balance in life. We work very long days, and over my career, there’s been a significant amount of travel. I’m fortunate to have an incredible wife of 20 years and a beautiful family, including a daughter and a son. I’ve always tried to keep a good balance of time with them, as well as with extended family, friends, our employees, and my community. Then, when I layer in several of my passions, it makes for a very dynamic life!
6. What makes your brand different?
Our brand stands out because it’s pharmaceutical grade. We use USP (United States Pharmacopeia) grade ingredients, which are the purest quality available, and we manufacture and test to pharmaceutical standards. We also developed a patented delivery system to ensure that ingredients penetrate deeply into the skin. We believe that those who want the best deserve the best, and that’s what drives the Vivier brand.
7. How has beauty evolved since you started, and where do you see it heading?
Beauty has changed, and I believe it’s for the better. New rules and regulations are pushing skincare brands to step up their game. Beauty is now for everyone—people want to look and feel their best, and health is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. The future is exciting, especially with emerging AI tools that will help people select the right products for their unique concerns. Trends are leaning toward pure ingredients and products, and we’re fortunate that this has been our philosophy from day one.
8. What advice would you give to aspiring beauty entrepreneurs looking to create their own brand?
It’s much tougher today to start a beauty brand, as the capital requirements for product development and marketing are very high. New regulations also add barriers to entry. My advice would be to ensure you have incredible products with innovative ingredients or technologies and make sure you have the right investors behind you. Then, shoot for the stars!
9. How do you navigate the complex relationship between beauty and self-esteem?
This is a tough one. I see beauty as more of an external concept, while self-esteem is internal. They are connected, though, because the more positively we see ourselves, the more likely we are to have higher self-esteem.
We aim to help people be the best versions of themselves in a natural way. Having a clear, blemish- and wrinkle-free complexion can certainly support self-esteem. But to me, true beauty is in how someone carries themselves. Good people will always be beautiful.
10. What’s a line you love besides your own?
I’m so immersed in our brand and focused on ensuring that it lives up to our standards and promises that I don’t really love other lines. I absolutely love our company and brand! That said, there are some good products out there. They’re few and far between, but most medical-grade lines have a few all-stars that we like and respect.
11. What is your most essential self-care ritual?
My most essential self-care ritual includes exercise, sports, good nutrition, and great skincare. I personally use our Hexam Cleanser, Medicated Wash, C E Peptides, Grenzcine Serum, Vitamin C Scrub, Grenzcine Face, and SHEER Mineral Tinted Sunscreen. After the summer months, I incorporate the Advanced Skin Lightening Serum and 1% Retinol into my routine. I adjust my skincare for the seasons and in response to different climates.
12. What’s something Canadians in particular need to consider when it comes to skincare?
As our seasons change, so do the air quality, humidity, and environmental factors. It’s important to adjust your skincare accordingly. In winter, it’s crucial to wear sunscreen because the glare off the snow is quite strong. When we move indoors, the air is typically very dry from heating, so it’s essential to moisturize like crazy during the cold months.
13. What excites you most about the future of beauty?
What excites me most is the continuous discovery of innovative ingredients and technologies that push the boundaries of what we once thought possible in skincare products. There’s so much potential to create even more effective formulas that enhance results in ways we’re only just beginning to understand. The future holds endless possibilities for truly transformative skincare.
