We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alexis Lopez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alexis, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
When I look back on the past 2-3 years I see it all as a risk. The biggest risk I have taken so far, was betting on myself. Throughout school I always knew I wanted to be someone who stood out in this industry, I wanted to create a name for myself and I was ready to get the ball rolling. But it was during school that I also realized how much determination I had to make a name for myself. I worked long hours at school, managed my then 3 year old at the time, was living with relatives, and also waiting tables any chance I could to make some extra money. After graduation, I landed a great job with a company who was willing to also take a risk on someone who was coming out right out of school. During that time I was a contractor. My pay completely depended on my ability to get clients in the door and build good rapport with them. I knew it was a risk because my pay could fluctuate any month. But my creativity and willingness to never give up kept me going. It was during that time I learned a lot about the back end of the Esthetics industry. I learned how to manage money extremely well.
I look back on my time at school as motivation. I am no longer in that tough time, but I also am not close to where I see myself career wise. I will continue to take risks and bet on myself every time because without a risk, you might miss the reward on the other side.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I provide advanced esthetic services. I offer laser facials, laser hair removal, medium-deep depth chemical peels, skin consultations for people who are unsure about what product to use, or how to use product, I also offer the hydra facial, and post-op care for patients after plastic surgery. The beauty industry had always caught my attention. I was doing hair and makeup for friends and family ever since I was in high school. I loved making people feel beautiful, and it came very natural to me. My work ethic comes from not wanting to settle. I work really hard to give my daughter and I the best life. It’s really easy to quit when things get hard, or when you’ve even failed a time or two. But failing isn’t bad, going through failure also teaches you to appreciate your wins.
My desire to have close client relationships is what sets me apart from most providers in my industry. The connection and relationship I build with everyone who comes to get treatments from me is something I take a lot of pride in. I want my clients to trust the process of their skin, but also trust in my ability to transform their skin. It takes work on both ends, my clients follow my regimen I’ve created for them to follow at home, and it makes the treatments go a lot smoother and they get results!
I am most proud of the reputation I have built for myself in such a short period of time. I am proud that people trust and respect my skin care recommendations. I’ve put in hours to obtain knowledge about different lines, different ingredients, and different skin types to become a well rounded Esthetician.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When I think back to 2019-2020 It was definitely year I will look back as a defining moment. During that time I was in Esthetician school. I would wait tables every weekend, just to be able to afford daycare for my daughter for the week. Luckily during that time, my family allowed my daughter and I to move in so I wouldn’t have to carry the burden of rent and all of the expenses that come with living on your own. During the beginning of COVID-19 my daughter and I were sleeping on a fold up mattress in my parents living room. I lost my waitress job, and my school had just switched over to all virtual. Being stuck in the house, sleeping on the floor with my daughter, I could have easily given up and accepted defeat. But I knew I wanted to create the best life for us. With the support of my parents I was able to keep pushing through to finish school. At this point I felt like I wasn’t only just fighting for my daughter and I, I also wanted to prove to my family that I had enough grit and grind to keep going even when I was exhausted and mentally checked out. I will never forget those days. It makes me appreciate where I am now, so much more.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A time I had to pivot in my career was most recently. I decided I wanted to be more on the medical side of the industry. I previously was a contractor, for a spa that was more of a day-spa. I knew earlier in 2021 I wanted to go more medical when I started looking into nursing school so I could offer injectables. Becoming a medical aesthetician was something I looked into while I was in Esthetics school. I saw the difference of what you could offer under medical advisory. I can now offer laser treatments, and medical grade peels that can only be administered under a Dr’s approval.
I love this side of esthetics because not only can I offer day spa services such as different types of facials, and lash services. I can also offer laser treatments that give amazing results and you can benefit tremendously from.
Results drive my passion for this career. Clients want to see results, but also as the esthetician it brings confidence when you believe in the products and services you offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drslack.net/skin-remedy-md/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexislopez07/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-lopez-996315199/