We recently connected with Michelle Ventresca and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.

Acne is no match for me. Over the past 11 years, I have built and fine-tuned my specialty surrounding acne and post-acne treatment to assist clients in attaining healthy, clear skin. It is said that nearly 50% of men and women in their 20’s suffer from acne, which can be detrimental to one’s mental health as they embark on their careers and independent lives. I have so many heart-felt customer success stories, as I have watched hundreds of clients gain confidence in themselves after clearing their acne.

One client in particular sticks out to me – a college student who was driving more than two hours (each way) to see me for acne treatments. She was a nursing student and on her college’s swim team, and deeply cared about both her academics, athletics and her future as a health professional. When this client first came to Live by Skin for our Acne Bootcamp, she was very shy and felt defeated in her efforts to clear her acne. It killed me inside to see such a bright and beautiful young woman feeling down on herself because of her appearance. I told myself that I would do whatever it took to get her skin clear.

As each treatment went by, we slowly started to clear her acne and with that, her confidence slowly emerged. She started talking more, sharing stories about her personal life and discussing her career goals with me. Throughout the steady improvement of her skin, it was so rewarding to witness her self-esteem rise and her true self shine through. I am so proud of her progress and grateful that I was able to see her transformation, inside and out, along the way.

Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Over ten years ago, I made the choice to enter the skin care industry which paved the road towards discovering my passion of skin health, and helping clients and customers feel confident and beautiful in their bare skin.

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to own a business where I had control over the products entering my clients’ skin and the facial protocols I was offering. One day, in July of 2019, I spent all day walking up and down the beach, imagining and manifesting what I would offer in a business of my own. It was on this day that Live by Skin came to life.

I take great pride in transforming my clients’ skin, confidence, and home care regimens through therapeutic treatments and science-driven home care regimens. I specialize in acne and post-acne therapies, and am one of the leading acne specialists in the Boston, MA area. I have a 95% success rate with clearing and controlling acne, and have cleared numerous degrees of acne.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, I took matters into my own hands and built an e-commerce site to offer skincare products and accessories to individuals nation-wide. I offer virtual consultations to help client’s build a home-care regimen, and free email check-in’s to ensure everything is going correctly! E-commerce is a passion of mine, and it is so rewarding to have the ability to help clients both in the Boston area, and nation wide!

What sets us apart from other online retailers and spas, is that we have single-handedly tried each and every product that we offer. Before any item enters our store, or before any facial protocol is performed, it has been tested time and time again to ensure that it works.

Live by Skin seeks to provide customers and clients with science-backed, effective skin care that produces mindful results. Every aspect of our company is intentional, and we will continue to grow our company with the same honesty and integrity. We are dedicated to providing cruelty-free skin care, and supporting local, USA based companies whenever possible.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Like many other business owners, the pandemic led me to pivot my business. The COVID-19 shutdown was truly a silver lining for me as a spa owner.

In September of 2019, Live by Skin opened it’s doors. Six short months later, I was forced to shut down due to the pandemic, and could not see clients, which, at the time, was my only source of income. Once I got the news of the mandated shutdown, my first thought was “I am going to open an online store.” I remember calling my husband and telling him to bring every single bag we had in the house to my studio, and we spent all night emptying my shelves to set up shop in my childhood bedroom.

I spent the next three weeks designing, optimizing and perfecting my online store. From that moment until I could see clients in person again, I spent every day packing and shipping orders, learning about SEO’s and hosting virtual consultations with clients. It was such a pivotal moment in my business and I am so happy I made the move.

Today, my e-commerce store makes up nearly half of my revenue and gives me the flexibility to work from home on some days from my computer. I cannot imagine Live by Skin *without* an online store, it is such a big part of our company and we have hundreds of loyal, regular e-shoppers who mean the world to us.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Following up with clients and customers is the #1 most important step in brand loyalty. I am currently a one-woman show. I make a large effort into following up with clients to ensure they are liking their skincare products, and to see if their goals have changed. I strive to be a friend they can contact whenever they need skincare advice! Sometimes I catch clients in a rut and my check-in emails are a motivator for them to get back on track with their skincare. Other times, something hasn’t been working and client’s feel funny reaching out. Checking in builds brand loyalty and offers an open line of communication so your customers feel welcome to ask for help!

Contact Info:

• Website: livebyskin.com
• Instagram: @livebyskin
• Facebook: @livebyskinofficial

Image Credits
@lindsay.connors (Lindsay Connors Photography)