▲ CEO Kang Jung-hee

The first master beautician of Iksan
Noblesse a social enterprise, located at the crossroads of the old Iksan Police Station in Galsan-dong, Iksan City. CEO Kang Jung-hee is the first beautician who is appointed as a social enterprise in North Jeolla Province. She is engaged in beauty, wigs and wedding businesses and her business acumen and generous heart has not only been recognized in the industry circles but many residents in the region. 

She is the first master beautician recognized by Iksan City and the first ‘Highly Skilled Beautician’ of North Jeolla Province. Also, she is a field professor approved by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and is serving as an adjunct skin and beauty therapy professor at Wonkwang Health Science University. 

She has won numerous prizes at beauty and hair competitions and has served as a judge for a long time. She has more than 10 kinds of related certificates and published a number of books with a new book due releasing February this year. In recognition of her contribution to the field, she received citations and appreciation plaques from the industry organizations and the National Assembly.

Social contributions
She has been donating part of her earning for the people in need and engaging volunteer activities. “I hire first of the women whose career has been stopped due to marriage and childrearing. I also built practical working hours from 9am to 6pm or from 11am to 8pm so that they can work flexibly” says Kang. 

Those who feel the pinch can do their hair at the minimum price necessary and those who are North Korean defectors, multi-cultural families, disabled or low income can have their wedding photo shoot at the very basic price, all thanks to Kang’s generous heart. 

“My idea of this socially beneficial help out was rejected by many wedding halls at first. But it became recognized as time went by and now the wedding halls ask me first before I ask them to arrange an event.” 

The reason Kang rolls up her sleeve to help people in need was because she also once was a needy. She grew up in a hard-up family and had to pass the middle and high school qualification exams by herself without attending the formal school. What is more surprising is that her ardor for study led her to obtain a master and a doctor’s degree. In a word, she is a self-made woman. 

Challenging the Korean Master Hand 2019
Her passion in beauty was as strong as in wig. She says that a good wig must fit the wearer’s head and face perfectly and the wigs she has made are well melted with this of her philosophy. However, she did not make for the Korean Master Hand though made for the Korean Master and the Highly Skilled Beautician. It is known that there are about 10 beauticians and hairdressers in the Korean Master Hand. Not discouraged, she is gathering her strength one more time to challenge the Korean Master Hand 2019. 

When asked about the secret of her success in all three beauty, wigs and wedding businesses, she said “The secret is nothing but making the work place where everybody is happy. Staff must feel happy first for the work place to be happy also. Then the progress is made gradually and we can achieve the goals we have set.” She once helped one of her staff obtain a university degree and organized a holiday overseas for whole staff last summer as part of this win-win management.

When asked about future plan, she said “I haven’t had a plan to expand the business nationwide although I’ve been constantly encouraged. I think stability of business is more important than careless expansion. Instead, I will focus on challenging the Korean Master Hand 2019 this year.”