We were lucky to catch up with Lacey Draper recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lacey, appreciate you joining 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 biggest risk I have taken is starting my business-especially in the middle of COVID and while being a single mother. Backstory- I actually started planning my business in 2018. I had already been an Esthetician for 7 years at that point and worked in multiple types of spa environments, but wasn’t finding the right fit so was naturally feeling burnt out. I opened in my first location in 2019 and got the ball rolling then COVID shut me down. I went on unemployment until deciding to jump back in in September 2020. It was scary. I wasn’t sure I’d get any interest, money was tight, but I had this gut feeling that I needed to try. I started renting a massage therapist’s room 2 1/2 days a week to test the waters and thankfully those days became fully booked. I found my own space in the same building and have been curating the space and menu to fit my style ever since.
It has definitely been interesting. I’ve needed to change my products and services a few times based on the clientele I was bringing in. It’s all been an amazing learning process. There’s been ups and downs, and ups again then downs again. I’m still learning, I’m still growing. I know I’m out here changing lives with my acne program, I have helped many people with skin concerns even their dermatologists weren’t helping them with. So, I am very proud of myself for keeping it all going and truly feel this is my purpose, my way of helping others.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
My name is Lacey Draper. I am a Licensed Esthetician and owner and sole operator of Journey Skincare. Your experience at Journey Skincare is a very personal one. We work one-on-one to design a customized treatment plan for what your skin needs. I work with most acne types, various forms of dermatitis, deep wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and impaired skin barriers. I also offer a relaxing facial for those who just want to come in and feel pampered. In addition to skin treatments, I am very proud of my Healthy Lash Lift. I use a damage-free formula to lift, curl and enhance your natural lashes. I also use this formula to correct damage from lash lifts gone wrong provided by other lash stylists. Then there is also brow lamination and waxing on the menu as well.
The motto at Journey Skincare is, “Progress. Not Perfection.” Perfection is a concept that just doesn’t exist and my business does not strive to meet unattainable standards. I will work with you towards skin health by way of not only topical products but also lifestyle and diet changes that will will impact your life on more than just one level. We are elevating our lives one day at a time.
Our affirmation is, “I honor my commitments to myself, I am growing and evolving everyday.”
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think what has helped me build my reputation within my market is my authenticity and how I make my guests feel when they work with me. There’s no negative judgement or berating you because you use drugstore skincare. I don’t nitpick at your insecurities for monetary gain. I have seen a lot of this in my industry, and it really turned me off from working for many of my past employers. Another thing is that I strive to get down to the root cause of the issue. I have a lot of knowledge in my back pocket, but if I can’t figure it out on my own, I have no shame in saying, “I don’t know the answer, but let me ask others in my industry to help me figure this out for you.” I want whoever comes to me for help to get results. It’s very important to me.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
I have gotten so much from Daniela Woerner of Addo Aesthetics. While I haven’t personally signed up for her spa coaching program (only because I am a solo Esthetician and her program is geared towards teams) I have listened to all her podcasts and taken advantage of her webinars. Daniela and her team are just a wealth of information that every Esthetician needs deserves to know of.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ourskincarejourney.com
- Instagram: ourskincarejourneykc
- Facebook: ourskincarejourney
- Other: Phone- 816-698-2949 email- [email protected]
Image Credits
all photos are taken by myself