We were lucky to catch up with Athena Vassell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Athena thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

Goddess Glows Esthetics. Well I became an esthetician May 2018 and I worked at a chain spa for a couple of months. I knew that was never going to be long term because when I was in esthetics school I was gathering my master plan of my own business, even though I was encouraged to work a year first to gain experience. I was determined. One thing about me, when my mind is set on something I don’t stop until it’s achieved! Quitting is never an option.

I thought about the name hard. I knew I wanted my name (Athena) to be in it but not in it, if you understand what I’m saying. So this required me to dig a little deep than the superficial layer. I then thought ok well Athena is a “Goddess” name! My main intention is for all of my guests to fall in love with their natural glow and feel confident about their authentic beauty. It just clicked to me to name my business Goddess Glows Esthetics!!

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 have been an esthetician for five years and it’s the best career to date that I have chosen. Has it always been easy? No! Is it easy starting and managing a business with small children? Absolutely Not! Is it worth it? You better believe it!!

Here’s a little of how it went: Feb 2019 I left my place of employment to undergo a very life altering event. I had to have brain surgery as I had just recently found out 2 months prior to leaving work that I have a rare incurable brain disease and it was a MUST that I had surgery.

That’s when I then found out that I was destined to be a warrior and a fighter. After many hours under the knife at MUSC Hospital in Charleston, SC I had a stroke during my brain surgery and woke up paralyzed from my neck down. This causes life to be traumatically different for myself and my family. I stayed in the hospital for a very long time learning how to walk, talk, eat, read, write, and so much more to adjust to what the basics that many can take for granted in life.

After many weeks away from family and friends and even her career I had to relearn a lot as well as the importance of skincare. It wasn’t until many months after her surgery my business was born. It is when I found out that I was destined for all the events I had encountered. Business grew from family and friends then to many others wanting to get their skin treated by me and the rest is HERstory. Every services, experience, and products are made with you in mind passion, purpose, and love. At Goddess Glows Esthetics we provide facials, body waxing (from head to toes), vajacial, Yoni Steam, Lash Extensions, Teeth Whitening, Mesolipolysis (Needless Liquid Lipo) Back Facials, Extractions & more. Also all of our skin care products are all natural and are alcohol and preservative free!

Remember to always GLOW ON PURPOSE!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I have to have all the answers before I start.

I had to change that narrative because not only is it not true it also places limitations on my ability to grow. There is so much joy in discovering new things in the midst of your journey. Be it education, esthetics, art, music, modeling, culinary whatever “IT” is for you, you just have to be in the mindset to explore it. When I first began creating my formula for my skincare line, my face cleanser precisely I was nervous as all get out but I took the leap and thought it was now or never. I knew it would be some kinks I would possibly have to iron out but I was ok with figuring it out along the way!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Consistency is key! Your audience wants to see how and if you’re committed to your craft/business before they spend time or money with you. It can be another part to full time job by making content to post on social media but in the end if you’re passionate and dedicated your work will make room for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aboutherglow.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goddessglows_esthetics/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/athenagoddessglow/
• Other: Snapchat: goddessglows TikTok: goddessglows_esthetics

Image Credits
Flourish Photography