We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cassandra Schorn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cassandra below.
Alright, Cassandra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
Oh, I was a shy child. Probably a lot to do with my home life and not wanting to incite anyone’s anger. I don’t know. I was definitely afraid to assert myself. Somewhere in my mid-teens I started experimenting with psychedelics. It helped open up new mental and visual perspectives for me, which became very apparent in my artwork. I had previously only drawn in black-and-white and I started painting in color literally. It was such a cathartic experience. Getting to transfer feelings to canvas or whatever other material that I happened upon including wood panels and even people. It felt like therapy. Writing in my journals and stumbling upon books about spirituality were also pinnacle. I still have to remind myself to take the larger perspective and to reach beyond false barriers at times though.
A lot of the risky things I’ve done didn’t seem risky at the time. Jumping off cliffs at the river as a kid, hopping trains and hitchhiking in my late teens, singing on stage with different bands throughout my 20’s and 30’s. Honestly getting married at 26 seemed like a risk but I’m still married almost 18 years later!
When I decided to move to Minneapolis on a whim with a friend there was no fear around it, more of a need for change. It did, however take a lot of courage and faith, and felt very risky to open my business. Still motivated by a need for change and an all consuming drive to work for myself, but now having a family to be responsible to it’s not just me who has the consequences of my choices. So far it’s going well. I truly love the space I found for my studio. I realized that I had always wanted my own business and that it was now or never. I knew I would regret never trying more than any failure so I took the leap. Every day I do have a long list of things I’m trying to get through or back to or completed such as this interview though!
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 background and context?
I’m the owner and sole operator of Emblem Skin + Ink. It’s a micropigmentation or cosmetic tattoo studio and skin care clinic tucked away in a beautiful little spot on the edge of Minnetonka. I mainly focus on Nano Brows which is a style of eyebrow tattooing. I also do eyelash Line Enhancement and Lip blush. Both are natural looking forms of micropigmentation. My guests often tell me how much easier it is for them to not have to fill in their eyebrows every morning. It gives them back time which is incredibly valuable. They are also often surprised by how easy the healing is and how much less painful the procedure is then they believed it would be.
I also teach people how to care for their skin using the correct ingredients and treatments. I’ve been in this industry so long I forget how little some people know when it comes to protecting our first line of defense. The skin is our immune system and needs to be taken care of and protected just like the rest of our body. It’s also very rewarding to help someone tune into the present and just relax and enjoy having someone focus on them during a facial. It isn’t often that we give ourselves these moments of healing.
I started tweezing my eyebrows at a young age. I’m half Mexican so naturally have plenty to work with. I also loved makeup from a young age so esthetics was a good fit. After many years as an esthetician I found microblading. Just after my second daughter was born, Between 2017 and 2021 I became a certified micropigmentation artist, got my tattoo license, my Advanced Practice Esthetician License, Advanced Practice Esthetician Instructor’s License and became a certified Laser Technician and instructor. I also stated teaching micropigmentation.
Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?
I do offer many services on the esthetics side of things like Lash Lifts which lift and curl the lash, eyebrow shaping and tinting, ect. I am learning new forms of eyeliner tattooing and will be incorporating astrology in one form or another in the not-to-distant future. Possibly moving into body tattoo as well.
I am going to be teaching a micropigmentation class at my last place of employment (Medspa Institute of America) this summer. I continue to take LASER tattoo removal clients there who often come for the removal of older eyebrow ink so that they can get a fresh start. Sometimes it went wrong from the beggining and sometimes it just aged poorly in their skin for a multitude of reasons. I also do other LASER treatments focusing on the skin.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
It’s hard to say exactly where I learned what as I’ve learned so much over the many years in the industry. It helped working for a variety of businesses, some large and some small and seeing what worked. Having high expectations and standards for myself has been huge which also came with age. The Esthetician Mentor is a woman who was an inspirational guide early on. I’ve also attended countless webinars and listened to many podcasts, lives and YouTube videos focusing on business building. When I began expecting more for and from myself things changed. I’ve also had a long time to learn what keeps me motivated and happily productive in a work environment while also listening and attending to my guest’s needs.
When it came to opening a business, there was definitely a learning curve. I’ve taken some classes through the free program SCORE. I have also found a business coach through my bank, which was a free service they offer. I meet virtually with her every few weeks and she keeps me on track. It’s been invaluable, and she’s really supportive. It’s been nice to have somebody who understands the day-to-day of what a business owner has to deal with and help you brainstorm for events or marketing ideas. A couple friends of mine who are business owners also have been good resources for advice.
I do my best to balance what my heart and mind tell me though I have to push towards the mind side as I tend to have a harder time with the boring details. I’d rather just be the creative.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emblemskin.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/cassandraschorn and instagram.com/emblemskin
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/cassandraschornskincare/.
Image Credits
The profesional photo where my hair is back and I have gloves on is by Winan Studios – Maya Winan