We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alize Ruiz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alize below.

Alize , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission the drives your brand?

I knew before I graduated college that I wanted to start a program to help inner city girls because my mother was a foster child. She grew up in the system from the time she was 18 months until she was 18. She’s the real reason I started my Non Profit, “I’m Her” because I saw firsthand what growing up in a system not meant for you to flourish does. As an Aesthetician my job is to help people feel more confident in their own skin. Whether it be lashes, corrective skin treatments, brows or just a makeup application. I wanted to use my resources as an aesthetician, a college graduate, a business owner, a Latina, and mental health advocate to help woman in areas I wish I had help in.

The mission of “I’m Her”, is to build a more informed and empowered group of women. We will provide resources that assist women of all ages, in pursuing their aspirations, while also teaching them the fundamentals of healthy skin practices, mental health awareness, and overall confidence building. These are just a few ways we plan to help build up women of all backgrounds, but especially the ones in the inner city, who might not have the means to become the best HER possible. By being a filler in the gap that women feel being a single mother surviving in shelters, young girls being brought up in the system, and even in low-income families. Whether the help is needed in business, beauty, college and job applications or even just overall confidence, “I’m Her” will be there to help any woman find the true HER that’s waiting to impact the world.

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 graduated college with my Bachelor’s in Business Management and Marketing in 2018. I moved to Texas right after and began my “corporate life”. Two years in I realized I wanted more out of life than just a 9-5. I started thinking about my passions and at the time I was really into makeup. In college I worked under a professional makeup artist and began to fall in love with being able to transform someones look. I soon came across an esthetics school online and it got me thinking that skin is the foundation of a makeup application. Next thing I knew I was enrolled and typing my resignation letter just as the world shut down for COVID. I graduated in 2021 and soon after started working under someone else before taking the leap on opening up on my own.

At Mariposa Skin Lounge we focus on corrective facials but also provide other beauty services to enhance someones natural features. We provide an acne bootcamp from Face Reality that is a 12 week program for people suffering from all levels and types of acne, scarring and pigementation. This is a place where you come to “transform”. Helping woman and men feel more confident in their own skin.

At I’m Her we want to provide various resources to woman in the DFW metroplex become the best version of “her”. We strive to do this through seminars about how to start a business, how to take care of yourself and your skin, and mental health practices. Through workshops on how to apply to college, jobs and trade schools, and donation drives to provide items to help lift woman and children.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

In my industry word of mouth and results are the best way to grow clientele. Being able to show clients before and afters of previous or current clients solidifies their trust in you and what you can provide them. Word of mouth referrals are the quickest way to get your name and business to others without having to do much work.

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

Especially in the beauty industry it is imperative to check on clients 1-2 days after their service. When it comes to skin certain concerns or issues may not even come to the surface until 24 hours after the service. So always checking in with clients within 48 hours keeps the connection going and allows them to express and concerns or gratitudes. I also follow most of my clients on my business page which allows me to keep up with them outside of the spa.

Ways I foster brand loyalty is offering discount codes for referrals as well as loyalty cards that allows clients to collect a percentage off their service after they have come back to us for 5 appointments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vagaro.com/mariposaskinlounge
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariposaskinlounge/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/imherfoundation

Image Credits
Tej Patel