Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Angelique Swann. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Angelique, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Wow, the story of how I came up with the idea of my business takes me all the way back to the summer between sixth and seventh grade! I remember this like it was yesterday…I was spending the summer with my Dad in Kennewick, Washington. We were driving somewhere and as we passed by a cool salon sign, I said to my Dad “my salon is going to have a black swan on my logo”, and all of these decades later (yikes!) my first logo had a black swan on it. Of course, I ended up having a skincare studio instead of a salon, but that’s another story!
I’ve been a licensed esthetician since 2006, yet it took about 8 years for my business to come to fruition. Timing is everything, and I decided to forego my ‘regular job’ and jump with both feet into a job at a spa, which as of now was about 9 years ago. Instantly, I loved the varied schedule – working some Sundays, being off on weekdays, starting work later, getting off earlier, essentially challenging my idea of what a ‘normal’ workweek looked like. Working this way instantly aligned with my lifestyle.
Approximately one year later, I was at a crossroads. I was working for a salon as their esthetician when contract negotiations were stalled and I needed to decide my next move. My friend Lisa from beauty school and I were recently reconnected and excitedly discussing potential business ideas and partnering together. I was unable to accept the contract terms from the salon, and with a handful of loyal clientele I ultimately decided to open a salon suite, and viola! Angelique Swann Skincare Solutions & Makeup Artistry was born, the first name of my business. (It’s changed twice since then.)
The very same weekend this decision was made, my friend Lisa unexpectedly passed away. I was stunned and saddened and even more motivated to make this work. Fortunately, I inherited Lisa’s esthetic equipment and was able to up level my business even more. A generous gift coming with the greatest cost. I am forever grateful, and miss her everyday!
Although my name has changed twice now, and my service offerings have varied over the years, the core of my WHY remains the same: to help people feel good in their skin; embody the confidence of having healthy skin and even more importantly a healthy life; being able to present themselves to their world knowing they are feeling the best they can be. Enriching lives and rejuvenating the soul, while building relationships for life. Truly grateful!
Angelique, 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?
Somehow, I’ve always known I would end up in the ‘beauty’ industry. I use the term ‘beauty’ loosely, as it’s a subjective term and everyone has something beautiful within them. When I was a little girl I loved doing hair, painting nails, playing in makeup – definitely an innate pull that never left!
That summer with Dad when I saw the salon sign, hair was where I thought I was going. I went so far as to enroll in the cosmetology program in high school – and did very well! Unfortunately life happens, I had some issues and did not finish the program. My daughter was born a year after high school graduation, and I went on to work in corporate where I could have benefits to help support her.
Fast forward to my daughter being in high school, the company I worked for was shutting down which made me consider my next career move. I had experienced my first wax not long before that and, as an aging woman, felt drawn to the esthetics program. That decision would forever change my life!
I currently offer amazing skin treatments (I don’t call them facials, because it’s really so much more than that), waxing from head to toes, beautiful eyelash extensions, powder brows, and a life changing service called the Skin Classic. This service treats skin tags, keratoses, DPN (dermatosis papulosa nigra – a great example is Morgan Freeman), broken facial capillaries, age spots and more. It’s not a laser, and more affordable than your doctor.
I love performing ALL of these services, in fact many of my clients receive different combinations of all services and leave my studio feeling brand new and ready to take on whatever life gives them. The key for me, I believe, is showing up with positive energy and performing each service with intention, skill and most importantly- love. It makes all of the difference.
I’m so proud of this journey. These days there is a marked lack of caring; customer service has fallen considerably, as well as professionalism and punctuality. I strive to live all of these in my business and in my life. After all, what does it cost to show compassion, kindness, and thoughtfulness?
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Absolutely! All of my life I’ve been a voracious reader, and consider myself a lifelong learner. Starting my business I was relatively clueless when it came to the business aspect of it all. Finding Lori Crete and joining the Beauty Biz Club made the biggest impact.
Being able to learn and partner with supportive and experienced beauty business colleagues who have amazing careers in this industry helped me level up my business to be profitable, organized with systems in place that work, and professional. My background in corporate work – administrative, customer support, training, managing – was icing on the cake.
Interestingly, a book from someone in that group single handedly changed my life. It’s called the Rain Barrel Effect, by Dr. Stephen Cabral. It’s about how we develop dis-eases of the body and what we can do to reverse them and bring our health back to equilibrium. Seeing the myriad of skin issues with my clients, and even my own struggles with health issues and weight loss, this spoke to me in a profound way.
I am now studying to become an Integrative Health Practitioner via the Integrative Health Practitioner Institute, which was founded by Dr. Cabral himself. This certification will enhance my practice greatly by being able to literally change lives and regaining true health.
While I can’t recall every book that’s made an impact in my world, some that come to mind are:
Profit First, by Mike Mikalowicz
the 12-Week Year, by Brian Moran
The 1-page Marketing Plan, by Allan Dib
The Blue Zones Solution, by Dan Buettner
The Remarkable Life of the Skin, by Monty Lyman
Code of the Extraordinary Mind, by Vishen Lakhiani
And so many more!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I believe my kindness, authenticity, and positive energy have helped me build my reputation more than anything else. Many of my clients become lifelong friends, and when they arrive at their appointment they know I will be on time and ready to serve them. They know that their visit with me is their time to disconnect, relax and receive skilled, effective services in a safe, clean, and serene environment.
No disruptions.
No outside noise.
Calm, quiet, loving.
With care.
Consistency makes a difference as well, and as I’m always learning and striving to hone my craft, my clients know they will get the truth about all the noise on social media, and I will advise them from an unbiased perspective. They trust me.
Contact Info:
- Website: AngeliqueSwann.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aswannskincare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aswannskincare
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelique-swann-2aa457a/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ASwannSkincare
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoSgdgn6JYVgFBT9P41PATw
Image Credits
Headshot: Wild & Rise Photography, Kristen Glass