We were lucky to catch up with Johnny Flores recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Johnny , thanks for joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
A defining moment in my professional career came when I started offering internships to cosmetology students who were eager to get into the spa industry. Up until that point, I had built a successful career in skincare, working in private spas, hotel spas, franchise locations, and even corporate settings before launching my own business. I was thriving as an entrepreneur with Del Carmen Skin, and I thought that was my ultimate path. But everything shifted when I began to see firsthand the gaps in these students’ education. They were enthusiastic, but many lacked the real-world skills needed to succeed.
That was the moment I realized my purpose was bigger than just running my own skincare business—I wanted to make a meaningful impact on the beauty industry as a whole by transforming how education was delivered. It became clear to me that the current system wasn’t equipping students with the hands-on experience they needed to thrive, and I couldn’t ignore that. I had been mentored and inspired by my adopted parents, Roger and Tatiana Schorlemer, who always pushed me to think beyond the status quo, and this was my opportunity to do just that.
So, I made the difficult decision to close the chapter on Del Carmen Skin, a brand I had poured so much of myself into, and pivoted towards education. I began developing a curriculum that focused on practical, hands-on learning, addressing the real issues students would face in the industry. I also teamed up with Vashtai Wright to launch an academy that would set a new standard for beauty education.
That decision completely changed the trajectory of my career. Instead of continuing as just a successful business owner, I stepped into the role of an educator and innovator. The lesson I learned from that experience is that sometimes your passion can evolve, and when it does, you need to be open to following it, even if it means taking a different path than the one you originally envisioned. For me, that shift has been incredibly rewarding, not just in terms of professional success, but in knowing that I’m helping to raise the standards in an industry that I care so deeply about.
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’ve been immersed in the skincare industry for years, having worked across every facet—from private spas and hotel spas to franchise locations and corporate settings. After gaining vast experience in the field, I successfully ventured into business ownership with Del Carmen Skin, a brand I named after my mother. However, after providing internships for cosmetology students aspiring to enter the spa industry, I discovered my real passion was in teaching. And not just teaching, but teaching the correct way.
What started as an internship program turned into a drive to address the serious gaps I saw within beauty education. I realized the industry was often missing the mark in properly preparing future professionals. That’s when I decided to dive into curriculum development. Throughout my education career, I’ve been deeply influenced by my adopted parents, Roger and Tatiana Schorlemer. They showed me what it means to strive for more than what society expects of you and instilled in me a strong belief in educational standards that are both high and meaningful.
With this newfound purpose, I closed the chapter on Del Carmen Skin to focus on inspiring the next generation of beauty professionals. Partnering with Vashtai Wright, we created an academy that emphasizes real-world, hands-on training and provides the education the industry desperately needs. Our academy is built on a foundation of authenticity and rigor, ensuring that students not only learn but thrive in their careers.
What sets me apart is my holistic understanding of the industry—from the business side to the educational side. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t, and I’m proud to say that the academy we’ve developed brings together all the best practices I’ve learned over the years. What I’m most proud of is the fact that we’re not just teaching students—we’re equipping them to truly excel. Our academy is a place where education meets passion, and where students leave ready to make a real impact in the beauty industry.
If there’s one thing I want potential clients and students to know, it’s that we are committed to doing things the right way. We believe in elevating the standards of beauty education and ensuring that everyone who walks through our doors leaves with the skills, confidence, and drive to succeed.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn in the skincare industry was that traditional methods of teaching—relying heavily on slides, textbooks, and rigid classroom structures—were enough to prepare students for the real world. Early on, I believed this was the accepted and correct way to impart knowledge, but over time, it became clear that it wasn’t creating the results or engagement needed for success in the industry.
As I worked in the beauty education space, I started to see a disconnect. Students were not retaining information or feeling prepared for hands-on work. The education being offered in many beauty schools seemed superficial, often masked by flashy marketing but failing to provide deep, real-world training. Worse, there was pushback when I began to introduce more practical, results-driven learning methods. People who were used to the old ways or perhaps saw these new approaches as a threat resisted. There was even jealousy and competition from those unwilling to adapt or who felt called out when I highlighted the lack of transparency in some beauty schools.
What I’ve realized is that beauty industry education needs respect—real respect. It’s a vocational trade, and it should be taught with the same seriousness as any technical profession. That means more hands-on experience, continuous practice, and a learning environment where students feel they are part of a living, breathing industry. I’ve had to move away from the complacency that traditional methods bring and lean into creating an experience for students, rather than just a classroom setting.
The struggle has been real, from pushing back against outdated systems to challenging the smoke-and-mirrors schools, but in the end, it’s all about ensuring that the next generation of skincare professionals is fully equipped for success.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A story that truly illustrates my resilience is when I set out to develop an entire curriculum centered around a practical, hands-on approach to beauty education. I realized early on that the traditional beauty school model—heavy on theory and light on real-world application—wasn’t setting students up for success. So, I set myself the task of creating something better.
The process was anything but easy. Not only did I have to design a curriculum from scratch, but I also had to face the inevitable pushback. Many schools and educators were stuck in their ways, unwilling to adopt new methods or even jealous of the changes I was introducing. There were moments when I felt like I was up against a wall, especially when I confronted institutions that I felt were more interested in keeping up appearances than delivering true value to their students. Calling out these “smoke-and-mirrors” schools wasn’t easy, and it came with its share of criticism and challenges.
But I stayed committed. I knew that what I was doing mattered—not just for me, but for the future of beauty education. I leaned into my vision of a curriculum that focused on real results, where students could actually feel confident in their skills before stepping into the industry. This meant incorporating hands-on experience, constant practice, and moving away from outdated methods like endless slides and textbooks. It meant fostering an environment where students were learning by doing, gaining the confidence and expertise they needed to succeed in the real world.
Through all the resistance, I stood firm. The curriculum I developed is now a cornerstone of the VXOBEAUTY Academy, and seeing students thrive under this new approach has made every struggle worthwhile. It has reaffirmed my belief that beauty education deserves respect—and that resilience is key to driving meaningful change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.vxobeauty.com
- Instagram: Johnnytheeducator
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/Mbmx8ZNckD8WwkDN/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@johnnytheeducator?si=8O0izGqd1GbdFq6vI’m
