after the market crash in 1987 i was untouched. i had nothing to lose because i had nothing. what i did have was a passion and a desire to help and serve others. i loved giving which translated into doing something i loved; aesthetic skincare. there is always a plan for our lives that is greater than what we can see. there was a plan for me.

in the midst of tough economic times i started a skincare clinic. i had zero patients. when we have a passion to give the world gives back. i gave my first service away for free. some people came back, some did not. friends told friends and when they did i thanked my patients for their referrals with a complimentary treatment. i took care of my patients and they took care of me.

in the early 90's breast implants were taken off the market. it had a negative impact on the office i was working in. we were all told to find new jobs, as they were consolidating. crisis became opportunity. instead of trying to find a new job i began consulting with other doctors on how they could integrate skincare and lunch hour peels into their practice. biomedic was born. while biomedic was in the early stages i worked out a deal to go part time at my existing job and to be an apartment manager on weekends to pay rent. essentially i had three jobs. i was working harder and making less but i was growing something i couldn't see. from the crisis of losing a job in hard economic times i found something i hadn't planned for and wasn't even considering. the universe had a plan for me. it was bigger than anything i could have ever imagined as i write this today.

if i have learned anything in this lifetime it is the following: we must keep our faith. we must be eternally grateful for everything in our lives including the
"bad times". the most important time to give is when you feel you have nothing to give. most importantly "to thine own self be true."

the professional skincare marketplace remains very dynamic. much has changed since the early days of biomedic. the lines have blurred between medical and other channels of distribution of both product and services. mass market has put skin care devices into the hands of consumers that are affordable and effective. liquid face lifts dominate and are offered almost anywhere including home parties. the new laser technologies offered to medical practices are price prohibitive for most and are often outdated within a few years after being introduced. the economy is imploding. we have a crisis but where is the opportunity?

the opportunity is you. the only edge you have in the market place is yourself, your kindness, your professionalism, your punctuality, your experience, your desire to go a greater distance for your patient and your abilitiy to go beyond their expectations. you may begin to work harder for less money. you may even, like me, need to find additional revenue by taking on an additional job just to meet your expenses. all of this will force you to think out of the box which may land you in a new box with greater opportunity. and maybe it won't.

all of that said, it is my belief we must keep the faith. there is a plan for everyone and a plan for you. i will always believe that plan is that we reach our highest potential which is measured by the meaningful differences we make in the lives of the people we touch on a daily basis. a poor economy or an empty office does not prevent you from planting your seeds of love and compassion towards your co workers, patients, family, friends, and neighbors. what we reap we sow. we can't always see the garden we are growing when we love and care for others nor are we supposed to. there will come a day when springtime comes and flowers bloom after a few years of drought. until then continue to be a dutiful gardener and remain grateful to wake up and celebrate one more glorious day.

Cristina Carlino has spent the last 30 years of her life in the health, wellness and beauty industry. Cristina is a dynamic entrepreneur who founded and created BioMedic, the highly acclaimed medical skincare company endorsed by thousands of dermatologists and plastic surgeons worldwide.  BioMedic was acquired by L’Oreal in 2001.  In 1996, she created philosophy.  Cristina served as CEO of philosophy for 11 years until philosophy was acquired by Carlyle in 2006. Cristina currently holds a position as executive chairman for the company. 

philosophy is a lifestyle brand with a mission to inspire its customers to live in good health and great joy. philosophy believes that in the absence of health and wellness there can be no health and beauty.  What is “in” philosophy jars and bottles can give you better skin. what is “on” the philosophy jars and bottles can inspire you to live a more meaningful life.  

Cristina Carlino is a devoted mother, daughter, sister, partner and friend. Her current and last creation is a “for purpose not profit” company; “Art of Grace”.  Art of Grace will act as a platform for creative artists and a funding arm for non-profits.  The Art of Grace’s mission statement is “to create change in this world one note, one word, and one brush stroke at a time”.