We caught up with the brilliant and insightful DeShuna Waters a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, DeShuna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I started my business Skin Therapy by Shuna Cha-Nee in November 2021. I knew I always wanted to be a business owner but I was afraid. I had people telling me that I needed to start my business once I graduated from cosmetology school. I wasn’t prepared to be a business owner and I didn’t know anything about owning a business. I wanted to follow the advice that I received from my instructor which was to work for other people first to gain experience and knowledge and then start my own business. I followed her advice to work for other people which I’m happy that I followed her advice because it has helped me. In 2021, I turned 30 years old and my biggest goal for that year was to become a business owner. I prayed about it and fasted as well to gain clarity from God on what to do and where my suite should be. I stepped out on faith and began looking at suites and doing my research but every suite I looked at was either too expensive or had a wait list. I started to get discouraged and I wanted to give up on my dream until one day a friend that I made while in cosmetology did my hair at her suite. I wanted into the place and fell in love with it. I asked her about the place and she took me on a tour of the building. When she showed me one of the available suites, I knew it was it for me. She called the owner which is one of the instructors that I knew from cosmetology school and the rest was history. I was nervous and excited at the same time. I went home and prayed about it and just like that I had the spark back to become a business owner. I didn’t know how I was going to do anything but I took the risk and trusted God. God has kept me through the process of being a business owner and I’m so grateful.

DeShuna, 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?

My name is DeShuna Waters and I’m originally from Arkansas but I have lived in Texas for almost 9 years. I had graduated from college in 2014 and I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I had a love for makeup and I wanted to learn more about it because I wanted to have my own makeup line. In 2017, I started cosmetology school and I was so excited about learning makeup and becoming an esthetician. Once I started school and started learning about skin and facials, my passion changed to skincare. I knew from that moment that I wanted to do facials now don’t get me wrong I still have a passion for makeup. I specialize in basic facials, chemical peels, and microdermabrasions. I also specialize in all skin types and conditions. I will be adding more services and treatments soon. I enjoy working with my clients to help achieve their skincare goals. I can help with acne, hyperpigmentation, aging skin, and maintaining your skin health. I’m most proud when I’m able to help my clients achieve their skincare goals. I’m also proud when I’m able to allow my clients a moment to escape for 60 or 90 minutes. They are able to relax and escape the world for however long the service is. The best part is seeing their reaction after their facials and them saying how much they enjoyed the service and they were able to relax.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I love being a business owner but I have to be honest, there were times that I became discouraged and felt stuck. I felt like things weren’t going right and I questioned rather or not should I be a business owner. I know we shouldn’t compare ourselves to other people because we don’t know their story and how they got to where they are, but I felt myself comparing myself to other people in the industry and how their business was doing. I was looking at their clientele and how their business was growing which sometimes would make me feel like I was failing. Every time I felt that way, God would send a reminder through someone that this what I should be doing and that would put the spark back in me. God never promised me that it would be easy but he promised me that it would be worthy and he is with me. I have the most amazing support system who is always there for me and encouraging me. This has made it easy to be resilient and keep pressing forward even through difficult times.

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

The best source of new clients for me has been word of mouth. I have had a few new clients that came from social media. I always make sure to do my best because majority of my new clients came from word of mouth.     

Contact Info:

• Website: skintherapybysc.com
• Instagram: Skintherapybysc
• Facebook: Skin Therapy by Shuna Cha-Nee, LLC

Image Credits
Darius Bradford took my professional photos and I took my own before and after photos of my services