Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cristina Tinoco. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cristina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

My fascination with the beauty industry has been a constant interest throughout my life. At the age of twelve, I took the initiative to shape my aunts’ eyebrows, helped my family prepare for various events, and even launched a small makeup venture while in high school. As a recent college graduate, I found myself reflecting on my long-standing dream of attending beauty school and ultimately concluded that it was a risk worth taking. The process unfolded rapidly; I made the decision to embark on a beauty career and began exploring schools the very next week. Within a month, I was enrolled in my program.

Attending beauty school was a remarkable journey. Balancing a full-time job as a receptionist while pursuing my esthetician studies kept me incredibly busy. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, creating uncertainty for everyone. The challenges of school intensified, making the experience more difficult than anticipated. Despite these obstacles, I successfully graduated and shortly thereafter passed my state board exams, all during a global pandemic.

“So, what’s next?” I asked myself. The salon owner where I served as a receptionist had a room available for rent, but I felt apprehensive about launching my own business from the very beginning. I was starting from scratch, lacking supplies, clients, and any experience. All those around me had faith in my abilities, so what held me back from believing in myself? I took the risk and quickly got to planning. In mid-January, I made the decision to move forward and set a target to launch my business at the beginning of March, allowing just over a month for preparation. Was that sufficient time? Hardly. Lacking any clear direction on how to begin, I relied on my instincts and spent countless hours searching online for information.

The journey was not straightforward; there were many errors along the way. Three and a half years later, Skin Profile has demonstrated that the risks taken were indeed worthwhile. I have evolved personally and professionally, acquiring numerous valuable life lessons along the way. I can confidently say that this is only the beginning of my journey.

Cristina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations, yet I have always felt that my true path in life lay within the beauty industry. After graduating, I took a year-long hiatus to reflect on my thoughts and explore my aspirations for my future career. The esthetics industry swiftly captured my attention.

At the outset of launching a business, it can be challenging to identify your specific niche. Over time, I discovered that my focus area was in anti-aging and acne care. As we all experience the effects of aging, it is incredibly rewarding to play a role in helping to slow that process. While we cannot halt the aging process, I can certainly assist in decelerating it. Having experienced acne personally, I am well aware of the impact it can have on an individual’s life. It is incredibly rewarding to share my knowledge and expertise in assisting someone with managing acne. Witnessing the joy on clients’ faces as they see their results at the end of their treatment is what motivates me.

Skin Profile transcends being merely a business; it embodies the inherent beauty within each individual. We each possess unique skin types, personal goals, life experiences, and dreams. This is precisely what Skin Profile signifies to me. It is designed to provide support at every phase of your life, regardless of the challenges you may face.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I truly value my clients and their well-being. If I haven’t heard from them for some time, I typically take the initiative to reach out personally. Understanding that everyone faces their own challenges, I aim to ensure that everyone is doing well, especially if they have shared their hardships in the past. I take pride in maintaining strong and meaningful connections with my clients. As a result, I have developed a loyal clientele base that strongly supports my work. The positive feedback from my current clients enhances my reputation and assists in drawing in new customers, as they contribute significantly to my brand identity. Word of mouth has proven to be my best source of new clientele. It is truly rewarding to observe the loyalty of my clients.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

Taxation is often regarded as one of the most challenging and intricate aspects of running a business. It can be frustrating and complex, making it difficult for many to navigate. Throughout my journey, I encountered numerous errors, one of which was related to my tax preparation. The initial year proved to be quite challenging. Lacking any clear direction, I turned to online searches to guide my decisions, many of which were misguided. When the time came to consult a professional for filing, he promptly pointed out the errors I had made. Fortunately, I managed to resolve the issues, although it required me to cover the costs of those errors. If I had sought professional assistance initially, the outcome of this situation would have been significantly different. The most significant lesson I have gained from this experience is the importance of seeking professional assistance when necessary.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.skinprofile.co
• Instagram: @skinprofile.co

Image Credits

Christina Arias Photography