Twin Aussie sisters take their special brand of beauty to the world
TWINS often live out of each other’s pockets but Sydney sisters Kim and Zoe have scored a double whammy by going into business together.
TWINS often live out of each other’s pockets but Sydney sisters Kim Devin and Zoe Kelly have scored a double whammy by going into business together.
The self-confessed health nuts are taking their homegrown skincare brand Dr. Roebuck’s global this month by launching the range in chemists in Canada and the US.
It will also signal a difficult period of separation for the young women as Kim moves to Canada taking her away from her best mate and twin.
“Our relationship will always be first and foremost in our lives so we realise business is business,” says Zoe. “Sometimes you have to make tough choices but at the end of the day we will always have each other and that is special and we realise how blessed we are.”
Kim and Zoe grew up on Sydney’s north shore and both girls suffered terribly from eczema and sensitive skin.
Their parents tried every cream on the market to help the girls and it was their exasperation at a lack of options that led to the creation of Dr. Roebuck’s.
When their father, Dr. Roebuck, died suddenly a few years ago, Kim and Zoe took over the business and have turned it into the health brand it has become today.
“Our whole brand philosophy is ‘formulated skincare for all things precious,’” says Zoe. “If you have precious skin you need to be conscious of looking after yourself from the inside and out, because you cannot maintain or repair sensitive or reactive skin without thinking about your body as a whole- and this includes, mind, body and soul. What you eat and physical or mental stress can be a key factor in why you have reactive skin, so we aim to educate people on maintaining a wholistic approach to their wellbeing and in turn helping them maintain healthy and glowing skin.”
The sisters practise what they preach, too. Both devoted yogis, they remember growing up on raw, organic food “before it was trendy” and wearing rashies to the beach “before people even knew what they were”.
“Can you imagine what they looked like before they were mainstream?” Zoe laughs.
And making friends wasn’t easy at school either when your lunch box was filled with sun dried bananas rather than chips.
“We did not conform so we were often bullied and excluded,” remembers Zoe. “But now we are glad that we were brought up that way. Living well is in our blood, so it makes it easy to pass this on to our families and is a great philosophy to life. In the end we had each other so it got us through these difficult and awkward years.”
As for participating in all those cliche “twin tricks” the girls admit they didn’t miss out on playing their fair share of jokes.
“When we were in university one of us (we won’t say which one) wanted to break up with their boyfriend, but didn’t have the heart to tell him, so the other twin went on what was the “final date” and ended it on her behalf. When he asked for one last kiss it was pretty easy to say no!”
But when it comes to work, Zoe and Kim take their company and products very seriously.
Zoe comes from a pharmaceutical strategy, marketing and clinical trials background, so is the product development and marketing specialist and Kim comes from a media and business management background so she takes on a lot of the operations.
“We both agree it is easier working with your twin because we bring different strengths to the table,” says Zoe. “We are both also brutally honest with each other. In business you usually have to give a tactful and softened opinion to get your message across to ensure you do not offend the other person. As twins you know you are going to get over it no matter what.”
Dr Roebuck’s is available in Australia in Priceline stores or online at http://drroebucks.com.au/.
3 people who inspire Kim and Zoe:
• Helen Mirren — “An amazingly forward thinker for her time, she was very well educated and outspoken woman. She always shows strength but with compassion and grace. On top of all of this she has aged gracefully and looks stunning and natural for her age.”
• Turia Pitt — “This woman’s courage, determination and amazing heart defy’s words. We have been fortunate enough to meet her and be touched by her amazing inner energy and beauty. Her positive outlook on life, her love of family and friends and her ability to come out on top after such a terrible tragedy is inspiring and uplifting.”
• Mum — “Her ability to bringing up four children (women did most of the hard lifting in those days — if not all) gracefully and nobly while working full time as a GP. She was tough on us but she always put our own needs before hers and sacrificed so much. She also knew, no matter how hard, she had to be our parent and not our friend which gave us our values and strength today. We are proud to say we are now great friends.”