There is a conundrum when it comes to studying women in the business of beauty. One look is often enough to tell if she is what she espouses — and, in the case of Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, the philosophy that one should “aim to enhance one’s natural beauty” appears true.

Dr. Aivee simply glows with a beauty that one can see is not merely superficial. It comes from a certain joy in having accomplished much in her life, and not just in the business for which she is most known.

This year, the brand she built along with her husband, Singaporean cosmetic surgeon Dr. Z Teo, gained more accolades for accomplishments in the field of aesthetics. Yet, this power couple continues to innovate and escalate — their businesses growing along with the family they have also built.

Aivee and Dr. Z Teo dote on their sons Ken-Z and Kenzo, and only daughter Kelicia. Theirs was a love story born from the work they do, and continue to share. “I met my husband Z in Singapore when I did a fellowship training at the National Skin Centre,” she says in a previous interview.

If she had not followed her father’s advice, would their paths have crossed somehow?

“Interestingly, becoming a doctor wasn’t my initial choice — it was my father’s dream to have a doctor in the family. As an obedient daughter, I agreed, not realizing the sacrifices, time, effort and hard work that came with it,” she tells DAILY TRIBUNE.

Her father, the well-loved Vergel “Nene” Aguilar, served Las Piñas as mayor for six terms, while her mother Imelda is currently mayor for a second term. Her sister, April Aguilar-Nery, has been serving as vice mayor since 2019. Her grandfather, Felimon Aguilar, was mayor of Las Piñas for 23 years. Her other sisters are Alelee Aguilar-Andanar and Anne Aguilar.

“However, during my training, I discovered dermatology and aesthetics, a specialty that appealed to me because it was evolving rapidly, with exciting advancements in lasers and technology. At the same time, people were becoming more open to beauty treatments and aesthetic surgery,” she adds.

Perhaps it is her exposure to public service all her life that Dr. Aivee knows aesthetic treatments are not merely for the A-listers whom she counts as regular clients, or for those who can afford it. In her 15-year practice, she has made it possible to serve more people needing the confidence and wellness boost through a charity clinic in her home city, Las Piñas.

Here, she shares more about her journey to success:

DAILY TRIBUNE (DT): Was it a smooth or challenging start for you as a practitioner and businesswoman? What was it like in the beginning, and how did you ensure growth amid a competitive market?

Dr. Aivee: I started my practice in 2002 working at Asian Hospital and Las Piñas Doctors Hospital. In 2009, I opened the first Aivee Clinic at Burgos Circle, BGC Taguig. The journey was far from smooth — starting small and building a reputation in competitive field required perseverance and hard work.

My husband Z and I combined our strengths. We focused on providing excellent care to our patients and building strong relationships. Together, we ensured growth by constantly innovating, staying ahead with the latest technologies and we continue to educate ourselves by attending conventions and trainings around the world.

DT: What is the story behind your company vision: “BUILDING CONFIDENCE, CHANGING LIVES?”

Dr. Aivee: This vision stems from our belief that aesthetics goes beyond physical appearance — it’s about changing lives by boosting self-esteem. When people feel good about themselves, they carry that confidence into their personal and professional lives. I wanted to create a space where patients could achieve their best selves and leave feeling empowered. This philosophy has been at the heart of everything I do.

DT: You decided to expand in 2011, just after you gave birth to your second child. How do you juggle your time as a doctor, businesswoman, wife and mom of three?

Dr. Aivee: Balancing all these roles is never easy, especially since I maintain two homes in two countries. Being a hands-on mom while having a full-time career requires discipline and a lot of time management. I make a conscious effort to compartmentalize my time for work and family, ensuring that neither is compromised.

Working closely with Z is a huge advantage — we constantly support and help each other. This partnership allows us to share the load and make things manageable. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, I take it one day at a time and celebrate small victories. Every time I successfully fulfill both roles without compromising the other, it feels like a win and keeps me motivated to keep going.

DT: It’s rare for couples to be in business together and keep work concerns separate from home concerns. How do you balance things out?

Dr. Aivee: Z and I have learned to respect each other’s strengths and establish boundaries. He’s the CEO so he manages the operations and strategy, while I’m the medical director, focusing on the medical and creative aspects. At home, we make an effort to prioritize family time and avoid letting work discussions take over. Our shared values and vision have helped us maintain a healthy balance between work and family life.

DT: You are a Filipina and your husband Singaporean — were cultural differences ever an issue, and if so, how did you address them?

Dr. Aivee: Z and I chose to embrace and learn from each other’s cultures. Over time, we’ve realized that having similar values and work ethics is crucial to our success, but we also acknowledge and appreciate our complementary differences. We are “yin and yang,” and find strength in being opposites, which allows us to take a balanced approach to decision-making. While communication is important in any relationship, understanding each other’s limits is just as vital. With thousands of things competing for our attention, we make it a point to prioritize what truly matters.

DT: Your empire continues to grow, and you have ventured into other kinds of businesses — food, health, pets. Any more in the offing? From one clinic in 2009, how many do you have today? Are you very hands-on? What is a day like for Dr. Aivee?

Dr. Aivee: I work six days a week, often 10 to 12 hours a day, while balancing family time. Mornings are for my kids before heading to work, and if I finish early, I make sure to spend my evenings with them as well. I spend my weekends with family activities like dining out, playing with the dogs, or traveling together. I remain very hands-on in the business especially in patient care and clinic operations, because I believe it’s vital to maintain our standards of excellence.

Z and I have exciting plans for the future. We are opening four new branches, including our first clinic outside Manila, while also expanding the Aivee Café, luxury pet care services, and launching the first physical store for Aivee Skin. Our goal is to make the clinic at par with the best in the world, so our patients won’t need to travel abroad for top-notch treatments.

DT: Many women aspire to achieve what you have in 15 years. What would you say is the key to having a successful career and a happy family life?

Dr. Aivee: The key to success lies in perseverance, hard work and staying ahead by keeping up with the latest beauty trends. For me, success isn’t just about awards and accolades but the positive impact we create in the lives of others. Balancing a successful career with a happy family life is all about time management, prioritizing what matters most and dedicating time to both with passion and purpose.

DT: You are regarded as a trailblazer in the industry. What are some of the decisions you have made that seemed to go against the grain at the time?

Dr. Aivee: One of the boldest moves we made was to elevate the aesthetic clinic experience by introducing luxurious French interiors and premium services. Back then, this was unconventional, but we wanted to create an environment where patients felt at home. We event set up the Aivee Café so that while patients are waiting, they can enjoy comfort food. Another key decision was to invest heavily in cutting-edge technology early on, which set new standards in the industry and helped us stand out.

DT: What are you proudest of this year? What are you looking forward to accomplishing next year?

Dr. Aivee: This year, my proudest achievements has been our efforts with Beauty Beyond Borders, an initiative that has allowed us to reach underserved communities and help individuals build their confidence through aesthetic treatments. Changing lives and making a real difference in the lives of people who need it the most is something I truly value. Next year, I look forward to further growth, new partnerships, and continuing to make a positive impact on our patients’ lives.

Coming from a family of politicians and real estate magnates, Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo could just as easily have followed the same path. Perhaps it is just as well that she steered her own direction and now continues to reap both accolades and personal satisfaction from businesses that are close to her heart.