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10 Lessons from 20 Years at The Top of the Beauty Industry with Dr. Julie Chung, Co-Founder of T3 (Sephora's First Ever Luxury Hair Tool)

Aug 20, 2025
Dr. Julie Chung, Co-Founder of T3 Micro and a practicing eye surgeon, shares her journey from medicine to beauty entrepreneurship. She discusses using color theory to enhance personal style and the importance of strategic planning in business. Dr. Chung reveals the pressures female founders face and the emotional impacts of authenticity and vulnerability in the industry. Balancing family and entrepreneurship, she emphasizes community building among women, while exploring the shifting dynamics of luxury spending and modern marketing strategies.
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ANECDOTE

How T3 Started With A Prototype Dryer

  • Julie Chung met her co-founder at a party and he built her a prototype hairdryer to solve a market gap.
  • They designed a beautiful, lightweight dryer to sit on a vanity and sold it in beauty retailers rather than electronics sections.
INSIGHT

Surgery Skills Translate To Pitching

  • Julie connects surgical pitching skills to selling products and persuading strangers quickly.
  • She says medical training built her confidence to pitch ideas and explain value under pressure.
ADVICE

Grow Only As Far As Your Cash Allows

  • Spend only what you have and grow at the pace your cash allows to avoid outside funding pressure.
  • Use slow-burn growth to learn the business before taking on monetary risk.
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