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

Lexie, appreciate you joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

I opened my business in 2020 during the thick of the pandemic. I was employed at a large day spa, and was on maternity leave prior to the pandemic. Having an infant at home and thinking of all the unneeded contact I would have at my place of employment scared me. I no longer wanted to be the “day spa queen” I just wanted to be “the esthetician mom who doesn’t bring covid home to her baby but still needs to service her clients.” I needed control of my space and needed to know I was doing all I possibly could to keep my son healthy. I found a private studio, got my business license and started ordering supplies to get my studio set up. It was a very stressful time in the world and so many people told me not to open a business during a pandemic, but I knew I needed to even if it was going to be hard work. Luckily, my client base grew to over 400 clients in the first year and I won a few local awards! I had been an Esthetician for 10 years at that point and being without a brand, or under someone else’s company was accompanied by a lot of self doubt but all the clients and recognition showed me I could do it all on my own. It was nice to know that I was enough without a staff and all the amenities of a spa has to offer. My clients come to me because of my knowledge and expertise and that was something I had to tell myself over and over in the beginning. Part of me wishes I would’ve started my own business sooner, but it wouldn’t have been the same success. Nothing gave me the fire to want to succeed like motherhood did. Becoming a mother and having a little one to provide for and make proud, that gives me my drive everyday.

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

Lexie Choate-Bewley is a Licensed Esthetician who brings over a decade of experience and knowledge into the treatment room. She has deepened her understanding of skincare through thousands of hours of clinical practice, advanced training, and a commitment to incorporating innovative techniques. She uses medical grade products and stays current with results-driven skincare methods to support and promote client well-being. Lexie specializes in corrective facials, dermaplaning and speed waxing. Known for teaching clients how to maintain their results by using products correctly at home, Lexie has been featured in numerous blogs and magazine articles and has an active social media following. She received national recognition for her work, being named “Esthetician of the Year” by Cosmedix Skincare in back-to-back awards in 2017 and 2018; and “Favorite Aesthetician Influencer Of The Year 2022” in Dermascope Magazine. Her skills in waxing and facials were celebrated locally in 2021, when she was honored as “Best of the East Bay” in Diablo Magazine, and named a “Neighborhood Favorite 2022” by Nextdoor.

I went to beauty school when I was in high school because I had problem skin. I wanted to be able to figure out how to treat my own skin concerns, and help others who had the same issues. In 13 years of being an Esthetician the industry has changed so much! As time goes on, we learn more. Technology constantly changes and gives us bigger and better techniques and products. I’ve used everything from holistic skincare to medical grade skincare. While I can appreciate the natural side of esthetics and think there’s a time and place for it, I reside happily in the results driven skincare field where the more potent the products are, the better! That’s where I see the fastest and long lasting changes in skin. Medical grade/clinical skincare has elevated the services I provide more than anything else I’ve used in my career.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I honestly fell into the influencer category by accident. The thing that I think made my Instagram take off was just being myself. Be authentic! I am so much better when I am unscripted and can just flow.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My clients are truly amazing. When I left the spa I probably had about 50 clients I knew would want to follow me. The first year in business I ended with 400 clients in my database. I’m ending my second year and now I have about 750 clients. Word of mouth, online reviews, clients reposting on Instagram and Facebook, when people ask for recommendations online and clients tag my business, all of it! Each and every recommendation and review matters and I’m so grateful for my clientele for spreading the word.

Contact Info:

• Website: Skinbylexie.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: Skinbylexie
• Facebook: Skin By Lexie Choate-Bewley
• Yelp: Skin By Lexie

Image Credits
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