Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa De La Torre. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lisa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Embarrassed to share but I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in my early 20s — a condition that, unlike many others, can’t be managed with medication. Believe me, I tried. It’s a painful diagnosis, one that often brings emotional extremes and rapid shifts that can make the simplest things feel overwhelming.

For years, I worked in Banking as Branch Manager and looking back, I realize I was silently torturing myself. I was trying to maintain a high standard of performance while constantly fighting intrusive, fearful thoughts — suspicions that felt real at the time but weren’t. It was exhausting and isolating.

When you’re someone with a strong work ethic and a genuine desire to do good work, mental illness can feel like a constant battle between who you are and what your mind allows you to be.

So when I created Madd About Skin, it wasn’t only from a place of ambition — it was from necessity. I needed to build something that would work with me, not against me. My business became a space where I could honor my own rhythm, take breaks between clients when I needed to, and have the freedom to take time away to move my body to calm my mind.

My spa is my sanctuary. It allows me to pour into others while also protecting my peace. I love people. I love women. I love hearing their stories and holding space for them — it’s like medicine for me.

Madd About Skin isn’t just a business. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever created, because it saved me as much as I built it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

At Madd About Skin, I offer custom facial treatments, advanced skincare therapies, and holistic skin-wellness services. My approach blends science and soul: I use professional lines like SkinScript, and Sorella Apothecary, along with modalities such as LED light therapy, hydrodermabrasion, and facial massage. Each service is tailored to restore not only the skin but also the nervous system — helping clients leave calmer, lighter, and more confident than when they arrived.

What sets me apart is the intentional, emotional space I hold for every person who walks through my door. I see facials as more than skincare; they’re a form of emotional reset. My clients often say their time with me feels like therapy wrapped in a facial — and that’s the best compliment I could ever receive.

I’m most proud that I created something beautiful from something difficult. Madd About Skin is my safe place, and by sharing it, I get to help others find theirs too. I want people to know that this business is built on empathy, authenticity, and the belief that caring for your skin is really about caring for yourself.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I believe my resilience showed itself in one of the hardest realizations of my life — accepting that I was no longer good at something I once excelled in. For years, my corporate career defined me. I didn’t have a college degree, so I placed so much value on my title, my responsibilities, and my paycheck. It was my identity, my validation, my proof that I matter.

But, as my mental illness intensified during periods of stress, I knew that I couldn’t continue in that environment. My performance suffered, my relationships strained, and even though I wanted to be good, to lead, to achieve, it was as if I was fighting a daily battle and I was legit losing..

Admitting that was painful. It felt like losing a piece of myself. But it also opened the door to something new. I took time off, reevaluated, and made a decision that changed my life: I would work for myself. I knew I needed to create a career that worked around my mental and physical needs — one that honored my health instead of depleting it.

That’s how I built Madd About Skin. (Madd to honor that part of me that frankly is) I designed my business so that my physical fitness and self-care are woven into my workweek, not afterthoughts, but foundations. My resilience wasn’t in pushing harder; it was in learning to listen to myself, to slow down, and to rebuild a life that aligns with my well-being. Learning to be ok with this mind and still utilizing the skills I had gained from my previous career. It was not all lost.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

My strategy for growing Madd About Skin is rooted in intentional expansion, not hustle for hustle’s sake. I’ve learned that growth doesn’t always mean “more” — it means better. I’m focused on deepening the client experience, strengthening relationships, and refining every detail that makes my studio feel personal, peaceful, and results-driven.

From a business standpoint, I’m growing through education, partnerships, and visibility. I continue to invest in advanced training. So I can offer high-level treatments that deliver real change. I also believe in collaboration over competition, so I’ve built connections with other local wellness professionals, from my Pilates studio my gym, other Esties and women-owned boutiques, to cross-promote and support our shared community.

Digitally, I’m expanding my presence through storytelling and authenticity — using social media to not just showcase services, but to share purpose. My clients connect deeply with honesty, transparency, and the heart behind Madd About Skin. That’s what builds loyalty and referrals more than any ad campaign ever could.

Ultimately, my strategy is sustainable growth, one that allows me to stay balanced, continue serving with integrity, passion, and build something that reflects my heart, and vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Maddaboutskin.com
• Instagram: Madd_aboutskin
• Yelp: Madd about Skin

Image Credits

Paige Creative photographer