“I Miss My Family A Lot. I Miss My Son”: Kim Lim On The Sacrifices She Has Made To Build Her Beauty Empire

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Since starting medical spa Illumia Therapeutics in Jan 2020, billionaire heiress-turned-beauty mogul Kim Lim has worked tirelessly at building her beauty empire.

Long story short, the 32-year-old has achieved what she set out to do and more.

In the short span of three years, Kim also launched aesthetics clinic Illumia Medical, hair treatment centre Papilla Haircare, and skincare line Illumiaskin by Kim Lim under her KLHealth umbrella.

Earlier this month, it was announced that her brands won a total of seven awards at the Global Health Aesthetics Awards — a testament to how well-loved her beauty services are.

8days.sg hopped on a call with Kim on Monday afternoon (Oct 30) to congratulate her on the achievement, and to find out how life has been for her amidst the hustle.

“Unreal” is the word Kim uses to describe her recent milestone.

“It’s not about the award, but more so the recognition in the industry. We attended the event and other people in the industry, from countries such as Malaysia and Cambodia, came to talk to me. They said they heard a lot about me, maybe it’s because we share the same supplier, but they [told me] I’ve really built a name for Illumia. It’s very surreal lah, everything is a blur, like… How did I get here?” she chuckles. 

She tells us she’s someone who sets very high expectations for herself, and puts her all into her work because she simply loves what she does.

Being recognised for her brand is a sign and a timely reminder that she’s on the right path, and her hard work is paying off.

“We work very hard and sometimes it’s like ‘wah, damn tired’. But I think this gives me and my team encouragement,” she continues.

With Illumia Medical's anti-ageing treatments so popular, we felt it right to ask her about her thoughts on ageing.

 “Ageing is a natural part of life," says Kim. "We all have to accept that we’re going to age, but that’s also why aesthetics and beauty is a very big industry. Everyone wants to look good. But it’s also up to everyone’s decision how they want to age, you know?”

“There’s external help, but there’s only so much that can be done because ageing is normal. We cannot change that, but maybe we can slow down the process. It’s more about feeling the best at any age and it’s most important to age gracefully,” she continues.

So how did Kim first become interested in the beauty and aesthetics industry?

Turns out, it all started over 10 years ago, when 19-year-old Kim got her first Botox injection.

“When I was young, I used to be bullied in school because I was ugly and fat, so that has always stuck with me,” recalls Kim.

“I was just trying my first Botox and I really loved it. I travelled a lot, and I felt drawn to learning more. I had years and years of experience and I tried different [clinics] in different countries. Of course I had good and bad experiences, and then I realised: "How come Singapore doesn’t have a place that does everything well?'  I felt like the standard could be better, and there should be a place that provides these services to Singaporeans,” says Kim, whose dad is billionaire Peter Lim.

“At first, my dad told me “You’re not a doctor, you surely cannot”. However, I believe a doctor is tied to their job. They’re busy running their clinic whereas I have the time to learn new things and try them for myself before coming back and innovating new methods. One day, I managed to convince my dad to help me start my business. He said “Only one time. I help you once. If you don’t make it, you don’t make it, and then nothing more”. Then it just flourished from there,” adds Kim.

Kim’s dad was initially doubtful as to whether her passion project would really take off. It was only after watching her for a year that he started to acknowledge her efforts.

Kim is extremely passionate about what she does — that much is clear as day. Her voice brimming with pride, she tells us her goal to “set the new standard for beauty”.

The drive to do well also stems from her innate interest in beauty.

“I’m always very curious about how amazing [certain treatments] can be. For example, a nose thread lift at Illumia can make one’s nose higher than getting an actual nose job. I learnt how to make the nose smaller without ‘cutting’, and I found different ways to make the impossible possible. Everyone thinks I had a nose implant, but I didn’t. It’s just threads and I keep building until it’s like that lor,” she reveals.

“I’m very intrigued by how the human body works, like how it can accept foreign objects or how people come up with threads, fillers, and skin boosters, and how it works on the face,” she explains, before letting out a loud chuckle.

“Wah, you see, I can talk about it non-stop.”

Kim is in the process of setting up KLHealth in Thailand while preparing the launch of a new product line. She has also been jetting around the world, flying to countries such as England, Netherlands, Korea and Dubai for research purposes and is barely in Singapore. 

With such a hectic schedule, does she have time for herself?

She laughs, lets out an honest sigh, and says: “No, I really have no time. I really want to make time for myself and my family. I miss my family a lot. I miss my son. And it’s especially difficult with his father’s situation.”

Kim’s ex-husband and six-year-old Kyden’s dad, Kho Bin Kai, was sentenced to two years and 10 months’ jail in May this year after pleading guilty to three charges under the Remote Gambling Act, and two counts of dealing with the benefits of criminal conduct.

However, Kim also acknowledges that she is at a point where her business is expanding and there’s no option to “U-turn”.

She continues: “I’m still trying to find a balance. I don’t have time for myself, I don’t have time for my son, but I will try to come back every two weeks and spend one or two days of quality time with him. When I come back, I’m at the office most of the time and nobody really sees me. I think I kinda distanced myself from a lot of people, but that’s just ‘cos I have no time. Sometimes I treat my staff [to a meal] to thank them, and to encourage them because everyone is working overtime and there’s just not enough time. I’m also hands on and I want to show them we’re in it together. [My business] is my baby so I still can’t let go.”

Thankfully, Kyden is aware that Kim is working hard to build an empire.

“He knows what I do, because when I’m busy, I bring him to the office and clinic with me. I tell him I have to work so I can buy him toys,” she laughs.

She believes it’s good for Kyden to see her working so he learns that things don’t come easy, similar to how her dad taught her to work for the things she wants.

“His father is not around and he’s asking [about it], so I need to manage that part too. My dad has been of really great help to me when it comes to taking care of Kyden when I’m not around, so I just have to try my best,” she says.

With all that has happened with her second marriage — it ended earlier this year after an a "traumatic" eight-month legal battle — Kim candidly admits she is now “scared” when it comes to relationships.

When we ask if she has plans to date again, Kim laughs. “Not yet. Maybe I just haven’t found the right person. I don’t know if it’s ‘cos I have no time. But for me it’s always been like, ‘It is what it is, take it when it comes’.”

She doesn't know if her last marriage has made her not believe in love anymore or if she's so busy she "cannot feel anything outside of work.”

“I used to not take family time seriously, but now I actually appreciate family time more," she adds. "Even when I only come back for two to three days, I will try to spend at least a few solid hours sitting with my grandma. I will ask everybody to gather and spend quality time. My work is going okay, and maybe this is the part where [people say] “nothing is perfect”. Maybe the imperfect part of me is my love life.”

She sighs before perking up again. “I think life is so funny ‘cos it hits you at unexpected moments. When you want [love], it doesn’t come, but when you don’t want it, it comes. After Kyden, I always said I don’t want kids anymore. Now I see everyone around me with their kids and it’s so cute, but I’m like, 'Urgh, no one to have with' (laughs)."

“Maybe when I grow older I’ll think differently but I’ll update you all if I meet someone new!”