Her best version

TSAWWASSEN, Canada - “My beauty philosophy is always to be the best possible version of yourself. Stop wishing for what you don’t have and instead, enhance what you’ve got,” says Mary Doreen Osea Seitz, a Filipina who owns and manages a skin care clinic in Delta, British Columbia, Canada.

She was only 30 when she opened her clinic. She was young, a foreigner, and she was going against practitioners who were much older than she.

“The first three years were definitely hard as I was trying to establish a name for myself. But I worked hard and focused on my business, gave my best and I was always honest with what I’m able to deliver to my clients,” shares Mary.

And these worked like magic. Clients started flocking to Mary’s clinic, and staying for years to come. Her clients are moms, grandmas, teens, men, and people from different backgrounds.

Mary says not many Filipinos live in her area. Her clients are mostly Caucasians but Filipinos come and travel all the way from the lower mainland and even the Vancouver islands just to see her. The newly opened megamall called Tsawwassen Mills is only 5 minutes away which makes it easier for Filipinos to access the clinic.

Mary keeps updating and upgrading herself and her clinic on new beauty and well ness trends and technology, because she knows that the aesthetic industry is constantly changing. While there are many good products in the market, Mary is very careful in bringing other brands to the clinic.

“I never bring a product to my clinic without doing my own research. I trial it myself and I consider every angle how my clients would benefit from it. Sometimes, it’ll take me months to years before deciding what products to carry in my clinic,” says Mary.

She herself sets a good example to her clients by maintaining her beauty through eating healthy, sleeping well, using sunscreen and good products, availing of treatments, and keeping a positive attitude. Mary says that having beautiful skin is not easy, it takes patience, dedication, perseverance, lifestyle changes, time and effort.

“The secrets to looking young? I don’t try to look young, I try my best to look healthy. I think I look better now than ever because I am more confident with myself and that same attitude radiates through how I look,” continues Mary who relaxes by working out, listening to classical and opera music, drinking tea and bird watching.

Mary loves the life she and her family have established in Vancouver. But she has never lost her connection to her homeland, the Philippines. They have a business and properties in the Philippines and their extended families are here as well. A few years ago, Mary’s siblings and she partnered with the Iriga City government to establish a children’s library in her hometown (also Nora Aunor’s birthplace). It’s a fully functional children’s library and the only children’s library in the Bicol region.

“Opening a clinic in the Philippines is always a possibility. I would love to be able to bring my brand to the Philippines. We are doing our market research and always actively seeking business partners. I am very confident in what I can offer,” says Mary.

Her tip to those who want to put up a business?

“Be passionate about what you are doing. You have to do your homework in researching your market and always challenge yourself in giving your best service every time,” she says.

Mary has many plans in the future – next year, she is launching an online store. In a few months, she wants to have her own beauty or skin care line of products and tools. In a few years, she plans to write a book.

With her family as her inspiration, Mary is sure to fulfill her plans and reach her dreams.