When Environ was launched as a start-up company at the tip of Africa, there was no way to foresee just how globally respected and commercially successful its professional skincare range would become. Today the science-based brand has a following in more than 70 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the US. ‘We’ve been in some of these territories for more than 25 years,’ says Val Carstens, who co-founded Environ with her brother in 1990 and has navigated the company as CEO and chairman through ups and downs.

Clearly, the ‘ups’ have dominated. In 2018, Environ’s name was projected in bright lights in New York’s Times Square as the winner of the title ‘Top Medical Skincare’ company. The world’s largest network of aesthetic and beauty professionals – called Aesthetic Everything – had voted the South African brand first in its category (for the second year running). The prestigious award joins a list of approximately 100 international and national accolades that Environ has won over the years. These also include major South African ones such as ‘Chamber of Commerce Exporter of the Year for SMEs’ and the ‘Marie Claire Prix D’Excellence’ (twice).

‘My unwavering belief in my brother and the product has stood us in good stead to start and drive the business,’ according to Carstens, whose professional success story began when said brother, the prominent plastic surgeon Dr Des Fernandes, developed a pioneering skincare cream featuring vitamin A – which has remained the cornerstone of Environ.

In fact, the Environ Original range (formerly called Pro-Active range) is still available today. ‘We originally only had one product and eventually reduced the strength of the vitamin A to lower levels to get the skin to easily accept vitamin A,’ says Carstens. ‘This is what created our vitamin “step up” [ladder] system. Our motto is to start low and go slow in the step-up system.’

She explains that for the best results, it’s important to have a professional skin consultation to ensure the user starts on the product with the most effective dosage of vitamin A, combined with antioxidants and peptides. Environ is not available online but exclusively distributed through skincare clinics, aesthetic salons and the medical fraternity worldwide.

Carstens recalls how the idea for the business was born. ‘Des sent me a sample of his cream, and family and friends started to comment on how good my skin was looking. When I said, “I use my brother’s cream”, they all wanted some. So I started selling Des’ cream, then known as “Dr D’s cream”, to family and friends.’

The roles within the family business have always been clear. ‘Des and I recognised each other’s strengths. He is the researcher, the doctor; and I’m the businesswoman,’ says Carstens, who believes in leading by example and emphasises the significance of teamwork. ‘I have always shared my vision and involved my team in order to drive this vision passionately to completion while ensuring that we always stay focused with a strategic plan in place,’ she says.

‘Good leaders, in my opinion, are passionate, decisive and give clear direction. They are also caring and supportive, allowing those around them to be more powerful than themselves. The most important aspect for me is to recognise the contribution each player adds to the organisation, from cleaning staff to chief executive. To encourage my team, the A+ team, to strive to be A++.

She adds: ‘I have not changed my leadership style over the years. I believe your pursuit of greatness can be realised – no matter what your circumstances are – if you believe in yourself and surround yourself with a great team.’ As the company has grown from strength to strength, its employees have had the opportunity to upskill themselves and some have benefited from a company bursary specially set up for employees’ children.

Family continues to play an important role at Environ as Carstens’ husband Jack also joined the business to establish the company’s factory in Cape Town. ‘My husband fulfilled our dream to own our own world-class factory,’ says Carstens. ‘This is what sets us apart from other brands: we are researched, developed, manufactured, packaged and distributed from our own factory.

‘The culture at the factory is one of a family business caring for each other. We are all important role players in the Environ business; it’s like a wheel where if one spoke fails, the others take the load.’

Her future plans include mentoring a new leader as her successor. ‘I would like to retire and enjoy the remainder of my years as chairman and, most of all, with my beloved husband,’ says Carstens. ‘The new CEO will then enjoy the exciting times and challenges that lie ahead for skincare and Environ in the years to come.’

By Silke Colquhoun