Dr. Arleen Lamba, founder of GLO30, began her journey in the skincare industry for personal reasons. In her 20s, she struggled with skin issues. While pursuing her doctorate at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, she began searching for the right products. By Erika Ortega
Meet the Woman Behind the Science
Dr. Arleen Lamba, founder of GLO30, began her journey in the skincare industry for personal reasons. In her 20s, she struggled with skin issues. While pursuing her doctorate at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, she began searching for the right products.
“I was struggling with skin breakouts, pigmentation and irritation – I went through the whole nine yards,” Lamba said. “I got very lost in the industry after going through doctors, dermatologists and aestheticians, as well as through the whole CVS aisle!”
With her skin becoming more reactive and nobody offering the right solutions, she started studying and researching her conditions. During her studies, she realized that she was not alone and that high-quality solutions and affordable options were not widely available.
“I started healing my skin, cleaning up my product line and understanding the skin cell cycles,” she said. “GLO30 was born out of my realization that the products and services I needed were not affordable, approachable or accessible to women like me.”
As a doctor-founded and female-led skincare brand, GLO30 offers medically-backed facials that combine medical science with customized treatments and pharmacy-strength products. The brand separates itself from other skincare treatment specialists by providing clients with all-inclusive premium facials that will not break the bank.
Lamba established GLO30 in 2012, opening her first store in Bethesda, Maryland.
“The concept has been the same from the beginning,” she explained. “We offer a skin gym – the health club for your skin where you can come every month and see your skin improve.”
Her goal was to position the brand as a wellness and health provider as opposed to just a beauty care company. She decided to franchise two years ago because consumers were resonating with the idea of having GLO30 treatments nationwide.
“We kept hearing from members that had to move due to COVID, personal or professional reasons that they would love to have our services available in their new towns,” said Lamba. “Looking at various modalities for growth, we decided on franchising because there is one thing all GLO30 studios have in common: a loyal community.”
Looking for community leaders to join the brand was important to make its mission and model work across all locations.
“For new owners to have the pulse and care for their community was key to making studios successful,” Lamba explained.
Forming relationships with each client and welcoming them monthly for treatments is what GLO30 is all about.
As a woman in franchising, Lamba is proud to provide clients, team members and potential franchisees with the opportunity and resources to succeed in their professional and personal lives.
“I always wanted to do something that would elevate women’s experiences,” she said. “There are a lot of hurdles that women face, and I feel very empowered to see women running their businesses and becoming successful through GLO30.”
Another aspect that makes GLO30 unique is its focus on subverting the beauty industry’s usual concept of designing and marketing products that “fix” women.
“We are not about changing the way you look,” Lamba explained. “We feel that everything is right with you, and our products will help you see it.”
Erika Ortega