Suzette Hahn-Lopez balances her life as a wife, mother and general manager of Beverly Hills 6750
By Sydney C. Go
Photography by Cyrus Panganiban
Suzette Hahn-Lopez enters Beverly Hills 6750 with a brisk step. The staff greets her with warm smiles and apparent respect. The inherent sophistication serves her well and is lauded as general manager of Beverly Hills 6750. Suzette was deeply involved previously in the garment industry before taking on the challenge of managing a major player in the beauty industry.
The aesthetic clinic opened in 2006 and she has given herself to the job with characteristic vibrancy and passion. Suzette engages her team towards the goals the company has set.
Even in her fast paced life, family remains a priority. Husband Manuel Luis Tantoco Lopez or Manny is her pillar of strength. Having been married for 17 years, she smiles at the mere mention of him, “He is the wind beneath my wings, I am lucky I don’t need to prepare anything for my husband’s necessities. He does everything on his own.”
The youngest daughter of Alfred and Letty Hahn, who is half German and half Filipino by parentage, grew up knowing life’s finest things. The Hahns were the sole distributors of BMW in the Philippines for 40 years. Recently, their family was given German citizenship, with a salute to her forebears’ role in the Holocaust. “We are all Filipinos at heart and by choice.” She says. “It was our sister Ruth who spearheaded this so that we were all given German citizenship”
Theirs is a close-knit family of strong personalities. Suzette speaks highly on her siblings and parents, especially. She credits their father for instilling in them a love for the Philippines. They do, however, share a collective penchant for traveling and try to go on trips together. We’re lucky because our side of the family likes to travel.” Her mother said that traveling is the best education. She was fresh out of high school at St. Paul’s College in Quezon City when the family packed up for a tree-month holiday to Europe. There she soaked up the culture and memorable experiences before returning to pursue her degree at the Assumption.
One ability she developed well was being able to strike a balance in life. It is particularly important now that she has a family of her own and a career happening at the same time. She also has other advocacies which are integrated into her work. Suzette is currently involved in a feeding program which she does two times a week. “With all the blessings I have, I want to give back in my small way. The clinic is also involved with Operation Smile. “A person who values her privacy highly, she will however make a pitch for the causes she believes in. “Recently, I have been thinking of joining PAWS, for animals, “she adds, “If they will have me.”
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A Day in the Life of Suzette
5 AM Suzette’s alarm goes off and she snoozes for another 15 minutes. “I proceed to do my morning prayers. I brush my teeth then leisurely read my messages on my mobile.”
5:15 AM The mother of three wakes the children up for school. “Since it takes them another 30 minutes to rise and shine, I lay down beside their bed and snooze a bit, “she says.
5:35 AM She takes her three shih tzu’s out for their morning walk. “Sadly this is my only form of exercise as of now,” she admits
6:00 AM Suzette takes her first cup of cappuccino with cinnamon, cream and sugar. Then she calls her office and checks if all surgery procedures are in place.
6:30 AM It’s family breakfast time and the hands-on mom checks on her children’s schedules for the day and sees them off to three different schools.
8 AM Suzette is off to the feeding center in a very casual attire. They distribute food and she says that seeing children’s faces light up is enough to give her energy for the day.
8:50 AM She gets ready for work, which includes a Kératase ritual.
9 AM While sipping freshly squeezed orange juice, Suzette’s hair dresser comes in to give a quick blow dry. She does her own make up and gives instructions to the household staff on their daily chores.
9:30 AM It is quality time with her husband; Manny drives her to the office where they chat on the way.
10:30 AM The general manager of Beverly Hills 6750 has a motivational meeting with the team. Suzette supervises them each individual’s performance.
11 AM Suzette attends to meetings and check sales reports. “I check our competitors’ promos and prices and I make sure Beverly Hills 6750 is cheaper than our direct competitors at all times.”
1 PM Suzette meets up and consults with clients. She squeezes in a 30-minute lunch of Gambaretti at Cibo.
4:30 PM After a full day of meetings, she goes for a treatment. “I recharge by going for the Refirme Skin Tightening Procedure.”
5 PM With renewed energy, Suzette visits patients in the OR, making sure they are well attended.
6 PM While the day is winding down, she reviews operational records, reports and projected sales. “I end the work hour by reading and answering emails that have piled up.”
8 PM Tonight, she and Manny have a dinner date before hanging out with friends sipping the: best margaritas” at Manila Polo Club.
10:30 PM Finally at home, Suzette enjoys peace and quiet time to read papers in the kitchen over a glass of red wine. She and her husband discuss weekend plans. They plan to spend Sunday lunch with her in-laws and then dinner with her parents at a restaurant.
11:30 PM She indulges in a long hot bath, which she looks forward to at the end of each day.
12 MN She watches late night news and tries to squeeze in at least two chapters of a book.
12:45 AM Suzette says her prayers and is off to bed.
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