We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Flora Bui a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Flora, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with something countless entrepreneurs have had to figure out on the fly – how have you dealt with the rise of remote work?

Hi there! Thank you for inviting me to share my insights with the audience of Canvas Rebel. At Acie, our team is not only able to work remotely—it thrives in a fully remote environment. We’ve built our operations from the ground up with a remote-first mindset, and our team spans the globe. We have core members in the US, Singapore, Portugal, and Vietnam, and we frequently collaborate with experts from Poland, the UK, Germany, and beyond.

To make remote work effective, we’ve invested in the right tools and processes. We rely on Notion for comprehensive documentation, Zoom for regular meetings, WhatsApp for quick chats, Github for code collaboration, and Figma for design work. These tools keep us connected, ensure smooth collaboration, and maintain a consistent flow of communication regardless of time zone differences.

Of course, remote work comes with its own set of challenges. Time zone differences can make scheduling tricky, and the absence of face-to-face interaction sometimes risks miscommunication. However, these pitfalls are largely mitigated by our emphasis on clear documentation and asynchronous communication, as well as a culture that values trust and ownership. We’ve intentionally built our team with senior, self-motivated professionals who take full ownership of their work—this is crucial for remote success.

One of the non-obvious benefits we’ve experienced is the rich diversity of perspectives that a global team brings. This diversity not only sparks innovative ideas and creative problem-solving but also enhances our overall adaptability in a rapidly changing industry. Additionally, the flexibility inherent in remote work has empowered our team to achieve a better work-life balance, leading to increased productivity and sustained engagement.

Flora, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey into beauty tech began at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and a deep personal passion for effective skincare. Afer a decade of struggles with acnes & post-acnes scars, I did further researchs and realized that almost 1/2 skincare products purchased nowadays are thrown away (leading to huge environmental harm), and 1 in 5 users suffer from skin allergy. All due to product-skin mismatch. This is because users don’t have enough quantified clue on the products’ efficacy. However, the root cause is because Human Skin changes constantly every 3-4 weeks due to Cell Renewal & Environment/ Hormone fluctuation. Currently, users have no way to monitor their Skin Health regularly at home. Determined to solve this problem, I founded Acie.

Acie is the world’s first AI-powered skin-monitoring device designed for everyday use, making skin data both transparent and accessible. Often described as “Apple Health for skin,” Acie empowers users to continuously monitor their skin health from the comfort of their homes—without any extra effort. Users can integrate their favorite skincare products into our system, track changes daily, and gain insights that help them understand how their skin responds over time.

Our innovative platform harnesses the power of AI to analyze vast amounts of skin data derived from two key sources: images and biosensors. This “sensor fusion tech” provides deeply personalized insights and recommendations, adapting to each user’s evolving skin condition and addressing concerns like sensitivity, aging, and environmental stressors. The result is a precise, data-driven remedy for common skin challenges that empowers our clients to take control of their skin health with confidence.

What truly sets Acie apart is our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. We’ve assembled a global team of experts spanning diverse fields—from seasoned tech founders to talented scientists and engineers, each with over 15 years of experience in AI, biotech, hardware, and dermatology research. This exceptional blend of expertise ensures that every Acie product is at the forefront of both technology and skincare science.

I’m incredibly proud of the impact Acie has made across multiple segments:
– For individual users: Acie transforms skincare into a convenient, enjoyable, and data-driven experience.
– For beauty retailers: By integrating Acie’s APIs, retailers can shift from a one-time purchase model to a subscription model. This connection between e-commerce platforms, user skin data, and product usage history allows for personalized replenishment programs with on-demand delivery.
– For skincare brands: Acie offers a revolutionary form factor and data transparency that enables brands to differentiate themselves in a crowded market, meeting the growing consumer demand for personalized care.

Our innovative approach has caught the attention of major publications such as USA Today, Elle, and OK Magazine. For anyone new to Acie, we’re not just a skincare device, we’re spearheading a movement toward data-driven, smarter, and deeply personalized beauty. We believe that everyone deserves skincare that truly understands them, and we’re excited to lead the charge in transforming the beauty industry for the better.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale starts with building a culture based on trust, clear communication, and genuine care. Here are a few strategies that have worked for us at Acie:

– Hire for Ownership: We recruit senior, self-motivated professionals who thrive in a remote-first environment. This foundation of experienced team members who take full ownership of their work sets the stage for high performance and satisfaction.

– Leverage the Right Tools: We rely on platforms like Notion for detailed documentation, Zoom for regular virtual meetings, WhatsApp for quick chats, Github for code collaboration, and Figma for design work. These tools help us stay connected and aligned despite being spread across different continents.

– Promote Open Communication: Regular check-ins—both formal and informal—keep everyone in the loop. Whether it’s a project update or a casual virtual coffee break, fostering open dialogue is key to maintaining a sense of community.

– Celebrate Wins and Learn from Challenges: Recognizing individual and team achievements boosts morale, while a transparent approach to addressing challenges helps everyone feel supported and part of the solution.

– Respect Flexibility and Diversity: With our team spread across the US, Singapore, Portugal, Vietnam, and more, understanding different time zones and cultural nuances is essential. We embrace flexibility in work hours and encourage a balance between professional and personal life.

Ultimately, a team that feels trusted, valued, and connected is empowered to deliver their best work. By focusing on these principles, we not only manage our team effectively but also create an environment where morale remains high, even in a fully remote setting.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My co-founders and I didn’t meet at a single event or conference—instead, we’ve been working together successfully over multiple projects for years. Our collaboration grew naturally from a shared history of trust and proven teamwork. When the idea for Acie emerged, it was almost an inevitable next step for us. We were already exploring several innovative concepts, and our discussions quickly revealed that we all shared an “inventor-mindset” and a burning desire to build an impactful product.

With a deep understanding of each other’s strengths and a common vision, we realized that Acie was the perfect project to unite our diverse expertise. It wasn’t a dramatic, overnight meeting; it was the culmination of long-standing partnerships and a natural evolution of our collective ambition. This organic transition has been a cornerstone of our success, ensuring that every decision we make is driven by both experience and passion for transforming the beauty industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://acie.skin/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/florabui/
• Other: Media features:

  – USAToday: https://www.usatoday.com/story/special/contributor-content/2024/11/01/from-concept-to-creation-how-acie-is-shaping-the-future-of-skincare-with-ai/75995260007/

  – Elle: https://www.ellecanada.com/vip/elle-extra/the-future-of-skincare-acies-ai-and-biosensors-are-transforming-beauty

  – OK!Magazine: https://okmagazine.com/p/meet-acie-ai-beauty-tech-every-celebrity-talking-about/

Image Credits

Acie