Korean-American Chamber of Commerce of Houston
Outstanding CEO of the Year
April 30, 2010
Ben Im
Ben's Beauty Supply
Ben Im is the chairman, CEO and namesake of Houston-based Ben's Beauty Supply. As a visionary business leader, Mr. Im established the National Beauty Supply Dealer Association in 1990; the National Beauty Supply Wholesaler Association in 1994; and founded the Beauty Expo in 1996, the first Beauty Dealers Trade Show in the industry.
Mr. Im remains dedicated to his philanthropic support of the beauty supply industry. He has received numerous local and national recognitions. Ben's Beauty Supply was recognized as the 8th "Largest Minority Enterprise in Houston" in 1999; the 7th "Largest Minority Enterprise in Houston" in 2000; and a recipient of the "Outstanding Award for 50 Asian Americans in the United States" in 2007. Mr. Im also received the AABDC, Waldorf, New York City, Pioneer of Industry Award, AAHBA 2008 and Distributor of the Year honors in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008.
Mr. Im graduated from Yonsei University in Korea in 1966 with a degree in Architecture. His career in architecture and pre-fabricated concrete construction spanned the globe while he worked on projects internationally and domestically for clients ranging from the Korean government to Eastman Kodak. After his distinguished career in Architecture, he founded a grocery business in the early 80's. All of his experience, globetrotting and business acumen culminated in 1988 with the creation of Ben's Beauty Supply.