We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chasity Vinson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Chasity, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
As the oldest of 6 children, I had to grow up fast and practical. I’ve always made the “safe” decisions in life. I’ve more than likely been the responsible more level headed person in every situation and this mentality seemed to stifle my dreams and aspirations. Although I’ve always been good at several different things I never really seen myself actually doing those things as a career. I started working early as a teen out of necessity and then I became a mother at 22. I had no clear direction on where I was headed or what I wanted out of life and any inkling of a dream I had disappeared. But through it all my passion for beauty and skincare remained. Fast forward to 2020. COVID shut the world down and I had no choice but to rely on my own abilities beauty wise. I researched and tested my skills in make up, skin care and brows and my passion was reignited. I dabbled in it for a few years and I decided in 2022 at the age of 35 to take the risk of going back to school full time for esthetics while working full time and raising my child.
Although people go back to school all the time this was risky for me because I had no support system. I solely relied on my income and had to push myself through every long strenuous day for 10 months. May 2023 I proudly graduated with a 3.8 average as a AESTHETIC graduate and owner of my own skincare brand and spa NAKEDD SKIN STUDIO LLC. I became licensed shortly after and I’m now living out my passion.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Chasity, also known as CiCe and I am a licensed aesthetician here in the state of Wisconsin. I got into the business of aesthetics, purely out of my passion for beauty and all things skin care related. When I was younger I struggled with acne and acne prone skin and I just didn’t have a good understanding of my skin type and the types of products that my skin would respond to positively. Skin care was not something that was taught in my household and it actually isn’t something that is talked about enough in the minority community as well as self care and taking care of your body. So because of my passion for skin care, I decided to focus my practice on corrective skin care. Nakedd Skin Studio is a collective of skincare, beauty treatments, and skin care, education. I provide beauty treatments, such as facials, body treatments, anti-aging treatments, acne treatments, and I also hand make skin care products, such as turmeric and aloe vera soap to help with acne and hyperpigmentation. I custom curate all of my services and products to aid in corrective and preventative skin care. I believe that self-care and skincare starts with education, so I am a big promoter of understanding what the root cause of the problem is and then addressing the issue from the inside out. I specialize in acne, scarring and hyperpigmentation solutions.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
I believe the most helpful tip I can give as far as succeeding in the beauty industry in general is determination and having faith. As an entrepreneur, you cannot rely on anyone other than yourself. Your success is determined by how bad you want it. Being knowledgeable in your field, going the extra mile, great customer service and resiliency is what will build the foundation of your company and help you further your mission. You have to believe in yourself every day even when things look dark, you are struggling to pay your suite rent, you aren’t getting any customers, your products aren’t selling, whatever the case may be you have to keep going you have to keep the faith you have to persevere.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I am currently in the situation now where I had to do a pivot in order to better serve my customers and be successful with my business. I struggled with gaining and retaining clientele being a solo aesthetician because the market for aesthetics here in Milwaukee is very diluted and a niche business. I’ve decided to focus on the skincare product aspect of my company. By pushing and promoting my products. In August 2024, my company has rebranded. I’m not ashamed or disappointed in myself at all. Being a new business owner, you have to know when something isn’t working in your favor. It’s important to stay flexible and fluid and to be able to adjust to the market and the markets demand. Eventually, I will work my way up into owning my own space or storefront , leasing affordable suites to up-and-coming beauty, entrepreneurs, and to service my customers and provide my product.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Ns_studiomke
- Facebook: Ns_studiomke
