Interview for NIT magazine

The LookIN Club, founded by Francisco Ibérico Nogueira, gives access to a network of wellness and lifestyle offerings.

Hi, after decades spent building a career in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, Francisco Ibérico Nogueira began to shape a new project. Known for being the doctor of various public figures — such as Ivo Pitanguy, Ronaldo Pontes and Liacyr Ribeiro in Brazil, and Thomas Rees and Sherrell Aston in New York — the surgeon has now decided to invest in a platform that brings together health, well-being and premium experiences.

It’s called LookIN Club, it was launched on 30 June, and it works as a members’ club that gives access to a network of doctors, hotels, restaurants, spas and other partners across the country, with the ambition of also expanding beyond national borders.

“It’s an idea that I’ve been maturing over the past few years. Basically, I wanted to create a club with members who will have access to a huge number of partners in two areas: wellness medicine, with various specialities, and another in premium lifestyle, with hotels and restaurants,” reveals Francisco Ibérico Nogueira, who is supported by his son (who shares his name).

The 75-year-old founder assures:“Our philosophy is to make known to members the very best that exists in these fields in our country, from north to south, so that they are well informed and have access to things of very high quality.”

The doctor explains that, thanks to the experience accumulated over more than four decades of his career, he has been able to identify renowned professionals in different medical specialties, as well as leading venues in hospitality, catering and wellness, in order to bring together trusted services on a single platform.

In this way, a careful selection was made, prioritising quality over quantity, so that members can find options without having to carry out extensive research.

At present, the platform brings together around fifty partners, but the goal is to multiply that number over the coming years. “This is meant to move up to 200 or 300 partners.”It is work that requires prudence and care in selecting them, so that there are no complaints from members. “It’s meticulous work.” The expansion will be carried out gradually, precisely to ensure that all services maintain the quality standards that the founder wants to associate with the club.

A adesão é feita através do site oficial e custa 350€ por ano. Depois da inscrição, cada membro recebe um cartão personalizado que pode ser usado nos parceiros da rede. Em vez de definir um conjunto de benefícios iguais para todos, o LookIN Club deixa cada parceiro decidir as vantagens que quer oferecer aos membros, funcionando apenas como intermediário no contacto entre ambas as partes.

“Dou liberdade absoluta aos meus parceiros. Um hotel pode dar desconto numa estadia, upgrade nos quartos, oferecer pequeno-almoço ou descontos nas refeições. Ficam livres de escolher o que pretenderem”, diz.

No restaurante Bugio, em Oeiras, tem direito a cocktails da casa. Já no emblemático Café de São Bento, em Lisboa, recebe uma welcome drink. E se procura um alojamento para as próximas férias, no Estoril Palácio Hotel tem 10 por cento de desconto na reserva, acesso gratuito ao spa (incluindo piscina, jacuzzi, hammam, banho turco e ginásio) e 10 por cento de desconto nas massagens Banyan Tree.

O mesmo acontece na área da saúde. “Os médicos podem oferecer descontos nas consultas, consultas gratuitas ou ofertas.” Francisco Ibérico Nogueira sublinha ainda outro aspeto que considera diferenciador: “Os parceiros estão no site a custo zero e não me pagam nada. Eu quero que seja um site de consulta obrigatória para quem procura por wellness e lifestyle.”

Apesar de o foco inicial estar em Portugal, a internacionalização faz parte dos planos desde o primeiro dia. O fundador acredita que a plataforma pode crescer para outros mercados e estabelecer parcerias internacionais, permitindo que os membros usufruam de vantagens também fora do País. “A minha ideia é ter também parceiros de Espanha, França, Brasil, entre outros.”

Quer, também, levar o mesmo conceito lá para fora, para que habitantes de outros países possam ter as mesmas vantagens que os portugueses. As inscrições podem ser feitas online, através do site da LookIN Club.