We were lucky to catch up with Gabby Abascal recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Gabby 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.

The most unsettling period of my life had been when I decided to make a major career change – leaving the corporate world to start my own business. At age 32 and 12 years into my professional career I realized my current path was not working for me anymore. I then took a brave leap of faith – quit my job, enrolled back in school, and later opened my own business.

If you had asked me 7 years ago where I would find myself today? I probably would have had no idea I would be helping individuals regain confidence in their skin, triple my income during a pandemic in 2020, place first place in the 2021 Skin Games International Competition, and be a thriving Latina-owned and operated business.

I come from a religious traditional Hispanic household where tradition puts an immediate stop to pursuing dreams. Where dreams of pursuing more than the norm is simply a “dream”. Where there are no college savings because your parents’ live paycheck to paycheck. Where becoming a business owner is out of the question because there is no “job security”.

It took me 12 years to break away from living the way I was expected to by my parents, friends, and community. Raised under the assumption that my only option was to work for someone else other than myself. Twelve years later, I am living my dream. I finally got to obtain my California Esthetician License and operate my own business.

Gabby, 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?

I am an International Award Winning Esthetician also known as the Skin Coach. In 2021 I entered the international skincare competition hosted by the Skin Games that celebrates all beauty professionals. In 2022 I presented my Skin Coaching Program that guides clients beyond skin care treatments and incorporates a healthy lifestyle to truly help transform the skin. I was awarded first place for treating acne and third place for treating hyperpigmentation.

I provide advance skin therapies, facials and one-on-one personalized skin coaching in the Inland Empire. I am a Licensed Esthetician and Massage Therapist, and I integrate both modalities into every treatment to create result driven facials with a spa like experience. I specialize in acne, age management and hyperpigmentation treatments and enjoy helping my clients regain their confidence through their skin transformations. As a woman who suffered from acne throughout my teens and young adulthood and now an aging esthetician, my favorite part of my job is when clients see the dramatic change in their skin upon starting treatments and continuing with home care.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

To say I had only a few struggles along the way is an understatement. But as they say, “what does not break you only makes you stronger”. One of the biggests challenges most of us small business experience was locked down during the pandemic. I recall the doors to my business being closed for 8 long months. Not being able to do what I love, be around my people and serve my community with touch took a toll on my mental health. I didn’t know at the time that I was silently experiencing depression. Yes of course I was showing up for my business, I was pivoting every day based on circumstances but behind closed doors it was a whole different story, Since then, I have become more aware of my mental health. Constantly checking in with myself and how I am feeling, and most importantly honoring what I am feeling. And when I am feeling uneasy I stop, I don’t pivot, I dont step on the gas – I stop. One important thing I learned from my experience with the pandemic is that community is strong and loyal, they will be there whether you show up or not.

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

The best source of new clients for me is Google. I spend a lot of time on maximizing my website to ensure I get as many hits as possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.SkinByGabby.com
• Instagram: gabby@skinbygabby.com
• Yelp: skinbygabby.com