Dr. Charmaine Kit Ming Yan, Founder, Bio-Genage
In today’s health-conscious era, the age-old wisdom of “health is wealth” holds a deeper resonance than ever before. The pandemic’s hard-hitting lessons have awakened many to the critical importance of prioritizing health and personal wellbeing. When Dr. Charmaine Kit Ming Yan, a visionary in the healthcare and wellness sector, observed the immense challenges and personal toll people endured to protect their health during this challenging time, she recognized the crucial need for a holistic approach to wellness. She realized that maintaining wellness requires a well-rounded strategy that includes protecting our DNA, fostering healthy immune support through natural formulas, and comprehending complex health concepts such as virus prevention, anti-cancer measures, anti-aging solutions, and longevity solutions. Driven by this insight, Dr. Yan founded Bio-Genage, a trailblazing healthcare and wellness brand dedicated to revolutionizing the health ecosystem. It doesn’t just offer effective health products tailored for various age groups; it embodies a philosophy that encourages people of all ages to prioritize their health, ensuring they remain energetic and optimistic on their lifelong wellness journey. This year, Bio-Genage even ventured into the food industry, emphasizing nutrient-rich elements and ensuring food safety as a fundamental standard.
Beyond her role as the founder of Bio-Genage, Dr Yan has been serving as the World Peace Ambassador in Canada for the Global Peace World Tracts since 2021. She is also a senior researcher in anti-aging and wellness nutrition science. She is deeply involved in heritable human genome editing DNA research and is an avid learner in STEM-CELL technologies in Canada and DNA nanotechnology at the Wyss Institute from Harvard, Boston. A member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and Chemistry World since 2020, and a longstanding member of the House of Roosevelt, Dr. Yan is passionate about discovering more about DNA repair for the human body. She firmly believes that an innovative mindset can transform human life and elevate our standard of living. With her strategies, passion, and commitment to peace, Dr. Yan continues to inspire and drive change in the world of health and beyond.
Overcoming Early Entrepreneurial Hurdles
Dr Yan’s entrepreneurial journey was marked by a series of challenges that tested her resolve and strategic acumen. As a startup founder, she was initially overly optimistic about what consumers needed and whether their products were truly competitive in regional or overseas markets. However, she soon realized the necessity of tempering this optimism with a more nuanced understanding of market dynamics. “Sometimes, we need to have patience and conduct thorough market research to understand these needs. It’s important not to take setbacks personally but rather to listen to the entire market,” Dr. Yan reflects. This approach guided her towards ensuring competitive product offerings and pricing strategies, crucial in navigating the complexities of the uncertain global economy and international trade landscapes. Navigating these complexities demanded a vigilant and innovative mindset. Dr. Yan continuously monitored market trends and explored new avenues for growth. Meanwhile, participation in world-class exhibitions provided her with a platform to showcase her brand, gather feedback, refine strategies, and develop better solutions to attract more buyers, both physically and online. Through perseverance and a commitment to excellence, Dr. Yan not only strengthened her brand’s presence but also gained valuable insights that continue to drive her entrepreneurial endeavors forward.
Pioneering a Holistic Health Span Journey
Today, Bio-Genage stands out in the competitive health and wellness sector not only for its commercial success but also for its visionary innovative approach. “We’re not just another wellness company; we’re pioneering a Health span Journey that integrates nutrition programs with food innovations,” Dr. Yan explains. This forward-thinking mindset has led Bio-Genage to explore diverse avenues such as herbal foods, collagen gummies, and vitamin-enriched oils for children alongside plans for an AI-driven health program. Bio-Genage’s forward-looking initiatives also delve into personalized health solutions, leveraging insights from DNA and bloodline analysis to tailor diets and supplements precisely. This proactive approach not only aims to prevent health complications like high blood pressure and diabetes early on but also bolsters immune systems through innovative DNA repair technologies. Furthermore, Bio-Genage recognizes the critical role of sustainable food production amid climate change and thus aims to revolutionize food manufacturing with innovative investment plans. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices into their programs, Bio-Genage seeks not only to enhance food quality but also to ensure its resilience in the face of evolving environmental pressures.
Embracing an Open and Inclusive Leadership Approach
Dr Yan’s leadership at Bio-Genage reflects a progressive and inclusive approach. She believes in creating a work environment where ideas flow freely and decisions are made collectively. “I encourage open communication and value diverse perspectives,” Dr. Yan affirms. Her approach not only drives productivity but also nurtures a culture of creativity essential for sustainable growth.
Recognizing the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, she is committed to promoting gender equality and overcoming unconscious bias in the workplace. To this end, she has developed the “Next Level Success” program, which teaches time-tested techniques and practical ideas to help women advance in their careers and capitalize on their strengths. She points out that women leaders, particularly working mothers, often prioritize work-life balance for their teams, which enhances employee performance, engagement, and retention. “As women leaders in the 21st Century, our strategies often bring a different set of values and perspectives to the table, which can lead to a more empathetic and inclusive style of governance,” she adds. By addressing issues holistically and with a nuanced perspective, she ensures that Bio-Genage fosters innovation and growth while maintaining harmony within the workplace.
Uniting Voices for a Greener, Healthier Planet
Since 2021, Dr Yan has been a vocal advocate for climate action, frequently addressing the impact of climate change on our health ecosystem through social media editorials. She believes that climate change is a significant challenge that requires collective action. Thus, she urges influencers and peace ambassadors to unite their voices to raise awareness and push for achieving zero emissions by 2030.
Food security is another crucial issue for Dr. Yan, as extreme weather changes have led to significant losses of natural food resources. In 2024, representing Bio-Genage at the Saudi Marine Seafood Exhibition alongside participants from 29 countries, she not only promoted marine nutrition products but also highlighted the importance of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which focuses on protecting life below water. Dr. Yan stresses that protecting marine biodiversity is essential and calls for joint efforts to reduce pollution in our waters. She advocates for clean water as a vital solution for maintaining our health and transforming the environment, aiming to build a strong, clean ecosystem and promote sustainable industrial development.
Navigating Multifaceted Roles with Skill and Determination
Juggling the multifaceted roles of motherhood, entrepreneurship, and leadership is no easy feat, yet Dr. Yan has managed to navigate these responsibilities with remarkable skill and determination. Dr. Yan believes that achieving business success starts with a well-balanced personal life. Thus, she ensures that her personal life is fulfilling, which in turn positively impacts her professional endeavors. For Dr Yan, weekends are a time for joyous family adventures, whether it’s a short trip or a delightful dinner, which helps create a simple, healthy lifestyle. She also emphasizes the importance of self-care, regularly setting aside time for activities that rejuvenate her spirit. During stressful work hours, she takes 15 to 20 minutes for meditation to refresh and rejuvenate. “Holistic meditation, particularly beneficial for women entrepreneurs dealing with stress and menstrual cycles, and a 45-minute yoga session help maintain a positive mindset and hormonal balance,” asserts Dr Yan.
In her spare time, she participates in social events for women, which offer a sense of community and positivity. By incorporating flexibility in her work schedule by conducting business trips, utilizing a home office, or holding online meetings, she strives to reduce travel time, freeing up precious moments for family or other commitments. “Just like motherhood, leadership is a continuous growth experience with new goals, successes, and challenges,” she shares. As both a parent and an entrepreneur, Dr Yan serves as a motivating force and role model for her children and employees, demonstrating the importance of balance and resilience.
Paving the Way for a Flourishing Future Under Vision 2030
Looking ahead, Dr. Yan envisions Saudi women playing a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s expanding start-up ecosystem. She acknowledges the unique business strategies, ambition, grit, and ingenuity that have already propelled female entrepreneurs into leadership positions within the booming private sector. Meanwhile, she believes that public sector support will further amplify economic opportunities for these women, offering a multiplier effect on their success. “The Saudi government’s initiatives, including best-in-class incubators, accelerators, consultation services, and networking opportunities, are upskilling thousands of startups and entrepreneurs, positioning them for success across various sectors, particularly in tech development,” elucidates Dr. Yan.
She highlights how the rapid economic growth spurred by the VISION 2030 program has fostered the emergence of new enterprises and competitive brands in diverse industries like food manufacturing, medical technology, tourism, real estate, sports, social media, and entertainment. Dr. Yan believes these world-class developments offer significant advantages for Saudi women entrepreneurs. She advises that by maintaining flexibility, fostering an open-minded approach, and embracing innovation, these entrepreneurs can navigate competitive markets successfully. By collaborating and accepting diverse challenges, they can become influential leaders and motivators of social change, setting new benchmarks in regional business excellence and shaping a prosperous future under Vision 2030.