What happens when your mum becomes your business partner? This mother-daughter team turned family into a skincare powerhouse

Imagine working with your mum. It’s a journey by itself, having her as your mentor and boss, which can be both enjoyable and stressful. Now think about how it would feel to work together to carry on a legacy she started, in a field that’s close to your heart.

This is what Quinn Chen did when she joined Ice’s Secret, the skincare business started by her mother, Dato Icemichelle, in 1999. But it hasn’t been a daunting adventure for this mother- daughter duo. In fact, it has led to the company growing immensely to become a well-recognised brand in Singapore.

Breaking the ice 

Dato Icemichelle’s aim when she launched the brand was to empower women and boost their confidence. She worked hard to create skincare solutions that addressed the special needs of consumers in South-east Asia, given our unrelenting humidity levels and the impact it has on our skin, such as skin irritation, excessive oiliness and acne breakouts.

Since Quinn joined the family business,she has managed to transform Ice’s Secret from a professional brand in boutique spas to an online company in 2020, making its products more accessible to women who want radiant and healthy complexions.

That wasn’t in Quinn’s initial plans though. Her entry into the family business came as a surprise – even to herself.

“Growing up, I saw my mum working hard in the service side of the beauty industry, but I didn’t quite understand the deeper meaning of it,” she shares. “I was doing a double major in psychology and data analytics, and thought I’d end up helping people in a very different way – perhaps through mental wellness – while also exploring my creative side through jewellery design.”

The “turning point” for Quinn came when she went through her own acne journey in her 20s, and tried Ice’s Secret’s products for the first time. After seeing a dramatic improvement in her own skin, Quinn felt compelled to find a way to make Ice’s Secret’s solutions accessible to others facing acne, inflammation, bacterial flare-ups, excessive oiliness, and other humidity-related skin concerns.

“I finally understood the impact of what we do – how something as ‘surface-level’ as skincare can go so much deeper, helping people feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. That changed everything for me,” she says. Dato Icemichelle admits that when she was younger, she focused more on external appearance. Smooth skin, flawless makeup and a well-proportioned figure were her main standards of beauty. 

However, as she gained more life experience, she realised that while investing in beauty products at a young age was indeed the right choice, looks aren’t the only factor when it comes to true beauty.

“Beauty is not just about how you look – it is also a reflection of one’s lifestyle,” she explains.

“Developing good habits not only enhances oneself, but also brings a sense of ease and balance to life. True beauty radiates from within – it stems from confidence, grace, health, and the way we treat ourselves and others.

“This is why I now value a person’s presence, attitude and character – whether they live authentically, with love and strength,” she adds. 

“I believe that when inner and outer beauty are in harmony, one not only exudes a unique charm, but also possesses the power to truly move and inspire others.”

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we invited Dato Icemichelle and Quinn to ask each other questions, offering a deeper insight into their mother-daughter relationship.

Quinn interviews Dato Icemichelle

What is the best advice you have given me?

It’s something I’ve come to deeply understand over the years: “You can only truly enjoy everything once the results begin to show.” Behind this sentence lies the essence of my journey in life.

Whether it’s chasing dreams, facing challenges, or building a business, it all requires deep focus, calmness, and the courage to take responsibility.

These three qualities are essential lessons on the path to growth. Success is never a coincidence. It’s built step by step, through daily dedication, and through choosing not to give up, even when results aren’t yet visible. 

And one day, when you finally see the fruits of your efforts, the joy and fulfilment in that moment will make you realise that every sacrifice was worth it.

What is your best beauty secret?

True beauty doesn’t just come from skincare products – it’s the result of long-term lifestyle choices: going to bed early, drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy and balanced diet, and exercising regularly. These habits may seem basic, but when maintained consistently, they make a huge difference in your skin and overall glow.

Did you face any challenges as a female founder?

The biggest challenge I faced was myself. In entrepreneurship, having a partner can play a crucial role, someone with shared values and business experience can make a huge difference.

But I was fighting alone. The internal pressure was intense, and every major decision felt like a painful gamble, as if I was betting everything each time.

The real challenge was having to independently evaluate every big decision, knowing that I would have to bear all the consequences if things went wrong. This journey of taking full responsibility on my own has been tough, but it’s also what has shaped the person I am today.

What did you learn about getting older?

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realised that learning never truly ends. The world is constantly evolving, and every stage of life brings new changes and challenges. You can’t afford to stop; you must keep moving, adapting and taking responsibility.

Dato Icemichelle interviews Quinn

How have you changed Ice’s Secret since stepping in?

I’d say we actually co-started Ice’s Secret in its current form during the Covid-19 period in 2020. I helped digitalise the brand and build a strong online community. We took a very different approach, one that was less about selling and more about empowering people. Ice’s Secret became this virtual best friend and skin expert that you could always turn to for skincare advice, real conversations, and a bit of fun along the way.

On our live streams, I try to speak candidly, creating a safe space for people to share. At its core, Ice’s Secret was born from a simple mission: to help people solve their skin problems – without the pain of side effects or trial-and-error missteps.

What scares you most about getting older?

Probably the idea of my body slowing down! I really value feeling healthy, strong and energetic. I want my skin to stay youthful – not just in appearance but in how it functions.  That resilience matters. And it starts now, by caring for our skin barrier and overall wellness.

A friend recently told me, “Quinn, you look even better now than five years ago!” I laughed and said, “That’s the goal!” I genuinely hope everyone gets to experience that kind of glow-up too.

What is the best advice you’ve given me?

To love myself – and in doing so, showing others how to love me too. You’ve always reminded me not to depend on others and that lesson has really anchored me. It’s what drives me to show up as a positive presence for the people around me, because when you know your value, you naturally want to lift others too. And even with that strength, I feel incredibly blessed knowing that no matter how tough things get, I have you to always lean on. You’ve shown me that when the going gets tough, we get tougher.

What was it like for you to join the family business?

It was definitely unexpected, but such a unique experience. I had the opportunity to co-build something new, while also carrying forward the heart and mission of what you started. It’s this delicate balance, honouring a legacy while also shaping its future, and I’m grateful every day to be part of that.

Working with mum? It’s a journey of its own! You’re my mentor, mother and boss – all rolled into one. That means we’ve had to learn when to draw the line between work and family, and when to lean in. We’ve definitely had our fair share of differences, but it’s also taught me how to listen, how to lead with empathy, and how to stand my ground respectfully.

There’s something really special about building a dream with someone who believes in it as much as you do – and who knows you better than anyone else. We challenge each other, but we also have each other’s backs. That’s rare, and I cherish it.

Credits:

Photography: Athirah Annissa

Art direction: Adeline Eng

Hair: Marc Teng using Goldwell

Makeup: Lasalle Lee using Chanel Beauty