We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michele Henry a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michele, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

FACE FOUNDRIÉ came after she had her third child. Struggling to find skincare treatments that addressed the realities of changing hormones, aging, and a hectic schedule, Michele was frustrated by how long it took—and how much it cost—to get the care she needed FACE FOUNDRIÉ. She imagined something better: accessible, approachable skincare that fit into the lives of busy people without sacrificing quality.

That vision became FACE FOUNDRIÉ, launched in 2019, as an all-inclusive, focused facial bar designed for real life—with walk-in services like lash extensions, brow waxing, and quick 20–40 minute facials, plus expertly curated skincare products
FACE FOUNDRIÉ

Our mission isn’t just about offering services. It’s about creating a space where anyone can walk in and walk out feeling cared for, confident, and valued. We strive to:

– Provide expert, efficient, and effective services across all things face—facials, lashes, brows, and skincare
Face Foundrie

– Deliver accessible pricing, while never compromising on experience or results

– Foster an inclusive, respectful environment—a safe, all-inclusive place that promotes confidence during every client’s skincare journey

Michele’s ambition was simple yet powerful: to build people up, because when you look and feel your best, you bring your best to the world. That’s the heart of our mission—and why it matters passionately to us.

Michele, 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?

Michele Henry is the founder and CEO of FACE FOUNDRIÉ, SAVANT Aesthetics Institute and LASÉRIE. A dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for skincare and a sharp business acumen, Henry has generated over $75 million in revenue across her ventures.
At FACE FOUNDRIÉ, she leads the executive team and oversees the national expansion of the country’s largest focused facial bar. Since its launch in 2019, at the time of publishing, the brand has grown to 57 open locations across more than 30 states, with 100+ additional units in development. Under her leadership, the company has achieved remarkable year-over-year growth and served over 1 million happy clients. Henry successfully navigated the business through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, simultaneously opening a third corporate location and launching a franchise program that garnered over 50 unit commitments within just four months of its announcement.
In 2022, Henry founded SAVANT Aesthetics Institute to address gaps in aesthetics education. Her mission was to create an inclusive, top-tier training program accessible to all. In under 3 years, SAVANT has graduated 12+ classes, boasting a 90% employment rate for students before graduation.
Six years to the day after opening the original FACE FOUNDRIÉ flagship, Henry launched LASÉRIE, an elevated medspa offering approachable and affordable advanced facial services. Within 60 days of launch, LASÉRIE received national media recognition for its innovative concept and consumer accessibility.
Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Henry serves on the boards of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and Ocean Crest Ventures. She was named a 2022 “40 Under 40” Honoree by the Business Journal and received the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2023.
Henry holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Business and Apparel Design from the University of St. Thomas and St. Catherine University. She also earned two certificates of specialization from Harvard University in Alternative Investments and Accounting. Early in her career, she launched PRIMP, a budget-friendly boutique that achieved over $25 million in sales before she sold her shares to focus on FACE FOUNDRIÉ. Notably, all of her businesses have been self-funded, organically grown, and remain debt-free.
A proud mother of four, Henry lives in the Twin Cities. Outside of work, she enjoys painting, pilates, reading, serving on boards, and staying on top of the latest beauty trends.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

In 2010, Michele launched PRIMP, a “cheap chic” boutique built on the idea that fashion should be both accessible and empowering. What began as a bold concept quickly grew into a regional success story—with eight brick-and-mortar locations across the Midwest and nearly a million women styled over the years.

But after welcoming her third child, Michele found herself searching for skincare that worked her and her busy schedule. She was frustrated with the spa industry—offerings felt either overpriced and intimidating or outdated and underwhelming. She knew there had to be a better way.

Trusting her entrepreneurial instincts, Michele made a decisive move: she sold her shares in PRIMP, and within five minutes of signing that paperwork, she signed her first lease for FACE FOUNDRIÉ at the Galleria in Edina. What began as a leap of faith was also a declaration of purpose—to reimagine skincare with accessibility, efficiency, and results at its core.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of Michele Henry’s most significant pivots came in 2018, when she made the bold decision to walk away from the company she had spent nearly a decade building. Michele co-founded PRIMP, a “cheap chic” boutique that grew to nine locations and styled over a million women. By all outside measures, it was a tremendous success. But after the birth of her third child, she struggled with hormonal skin issues and became frustrated by the lack of accessible, modern spa options. That personal challenge sparked a new vision.

On December 14th, 2018, Michele signed away her shares in PRIMP at 10:30 in the morning—and by 10:35, she had signed the lease for what would become the first FACE FOUNDRIÉ. She gave herself just five minutes between closing one chapter and starting another.

It was a terrifying leap. As a single mother of three, she was leaving behind the only career she had ever known. But Michele believed that sometimes the boldest thing you can do is bet on yourself, even when the outcome is uncertain. That pivot not only changed the trajectory of her career but also gave birth to a brand that has since grown to more than 55 locations, helping thousands of people feel more confident in their own skin.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://facefoundrie.com
• Instagram: @michelemanifests | @facefoundrie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-henry-614700136

Image Credits

Lexie Kay Creative Co