It was created literally by walking door-to-door to different spas and retail boutiques in the Northeast and hand-carrying products back and forth from the Montreal laboratories on Greyhound buses. Today, B. Kamins is sold in over 12 countries and has offices in Montreal and New York City, with representatives serving the United States, Canada, and beyond.

Do you have a company or personal motto by which you live?
“My mottos are to be true to yourself, give back, stick to your beliefs and principles, and be honest.”

"I have been involved in the aesthetics industry since 1996 and have been a founder, product developer, marketing manager, and had a role in partner relations – the list goes on. You can pin me as the do-it-all guy! As a result, I listen to the needs of our industry and our aestheticians and work to maintain strong partnerships. Being an extroverted, people-person has helped me work with the aestheticians and listen to their demands. Meeting the needs of aestheticians, both in products and technology, is a constant theme in my work. While there is a lot to juggle in this industry, the goal is to provide them with something practical, economical, and innovative that gives them freedom and flexibility. I believe what sets me apart is the way I have created personal relationships by listening intently, visiting, connecting, and personalizing the business. I have been surprised most by how creative we are as an industry. I have been surprised by the importance of giving results and how the wellness community can make a difference. I know that this career is right for me because I love every bit of it. I love every second that I spend in the office. It has been that way since day one. That kind of passion is why people go to a particular spa. The customer service, friendly environment, and result-oriented treatments are part of that as well. The best establishments go the extra mile. I advise all clients, customers, coworkers, and friends to trust reputable companies to be true and to provide good service. I would tell someone planning to begin a career in this field to stay true to their principles, but learn to be economically viable. This industry might be their passion but it is also a business. I keep life in balance by enjoying time with my family and spending some time doing my hobbies. In fact, inspiration comes to me from my eight- and 10-year-old children, who keep me smiling and happy. It allows me to come back to work and be more creative."

Here is more of our chat with Howard:

DERMASCOPE: How long have you been in the aesthetics industry?
Howard: I have been involved in the aesthetics industry since 1996.

DERMASCOPE: What credentials do you currently hold?
Howard: I am a lawyer and pharmaceutical company president.

DERMASCOPE: What various roles and positions have you held within this industry?
Howard: Within the skin care industry, I have been a founder, product developer, marketing manager, and had a role in partner relations – the list goes on. You can pin me as the do-it-all guy! I listen to the needs of our industry and our aestheticians and work to maintain strong partnerships.

DERMASCOPE: Which of these roles taught you the most or had the most impact on you and how?
Howard: Being an extroverted, people-person has helped me work with the aestheticians and listen to their demands. B. Kamins is its own manufacturer and this results in being innovative and modifying formulations, even changing the way aestheticians dispense backbar. We recently created the Facial Unidose Kits, with customized prescription kits to allow the aestheticians to be creative and economically viable.

DERMASCOPE: Has there been a constant theme that led you from one point to the next throughout your training and career? (as in asking questions, reading certain material, et cetera)
Howard: A constant theme in my work is meeting the needs of aestheticians, both in products and technology. There is a lot to juggle in this industry, but the goal is to provide them with something practical, economical, and innovative that gives them freedom and flexibility.

DERMASCOPE: What characteristics or skills set you apart from your peers and enabled you to be so successful so quickly?
Howard: I believe what sets me apart is the way I have created personal relationships by listening intently, visiting, connecting, and personalizing the business.

DERMASCOPE: What has surprised you most during your professional journey?
Howard: I have been surprised most by how creative we are as an industry. I have been surprised by the importance of giving results and how the wellness community can make a difference.

DERMASCOPE: What are the greatest pressures, strains, or anxieties in the work?
Howard: The tightest strain in the work is pairing the needs of aestheticians and their creativity with economic constraints.

DERMASCOPE: How did you decide that your current career is the right one for you?
Howard: I know that this career is right for me because I love every bit of it. I love every second that I spend in the office. It has been that way since day one.

DERMASCOPE: How and where do you find inspiration?
Howard: Inspiration comes from my eight- and 10-year-old children, who keep me smiling and happy. It allows me to come back to work and be more creative.

DERMASCOPE: What do you see are upcoming trends in the industry?

Howard: I see pre-measured facial boxes as an upcoming trend. They are a practical solution to many of the issues we see in the treatment room. Any practical solution that allows the creativity of the aesthetician to survive while being profitable will go a long way.

DERMASCOPE: Is there a particular moment or procedure where most professionals go wrong?
Howard: What could they alter for a better result? The major wrongdoing by professionals during a facial is inconsistent treatment and services.

DERMASCOPE: Why do you think people come to a particular spa?
Howard: People come to a particular spa for the customer service, friendly environment, and result-oriented treatments.

DERMASCOPE: What do you believe separates the best establishments from the rest?
Howard: The best establishments go the extra mile.

DERMASCOPE: Is there a particular ingredient that you feel is a “super” ingredient? If so, why?
Howard: BioMaple Compound is a terrific ingredient that was sourced by my father. It hydrates, exfoliates, and protects. Just as it helps maple trees survive the Canadian winter, it keeps skin healthy and resilient.

DERMASCOPE: What is the one piece of advice you give to every client you see?
Howard: I advise all clients, customers, coworkers, and friends to trust reputable companies to be true and to provide good service.

DERMASCOPE: What advice do you have for someone planning to start a career in this field?
Howard: I would tell someone planning to begin a career in this field to stay true to their principles, but learn to be economically viable. This industry might be their passion but it is also a business.

DERMASCOPE: Do you or your company support any particular causes or charitable organizations? If so, who and why?
Howard: My company supports the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, The United Way, and we send our sunscreen to partners in third world countries. We feel the need to give back because we have been so fortunate.

DERMASCOPE: You wear so many hats in this industry. What is your secret to keeping life in balance and enjoying the journey?
Howard: I keep life in balance by enjoying time with my family and spending some time doing my hobbies.

DERMASCOPE: What are your hobbies when not working?
Howard: My hobbies are biking, swimming, and yoga.

DERMASCOPE: Do you have a company or personal motto by which you live?
Howard: My mottos are to be true to yourself, give back, stick to your beliefs and principles, and be honest.

DERMASCOPE: Other than your products, what are the greatest assets and strengths your company offers?
Howard: B. Kamins’ greatest strength is offering great educational support by a great team made up a good people.

DERMASCOPE: What is your daily skin care ritual?
Howard: Every day I use B. Kamins’ Vegetable Cleanser and Eye Cream, then either day lotion with SPF 15 or night cream.