We recently connected with Monique Rennier and have shared our conversation below.

Monique , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

So it was June 2020. Spas, gyms, and salons were finally able to reopen. But for me, It was going to be my very first grand opening!

Unfortunately the community must have still felt unsafe because no one showed up. I wanted to ease the anxiety the community was feeling. So I relied on my social media to share. I focused on sharing my safety protocols post pandemic. I shared my covid procedures and cleaning routines. But weeks went by and I still had no potential bookings. I just continued showing up on social media and taking family & friends as my models.

In July, I felt lead to offer my services free of charge to one client for 6 weeks. I created a post on Facebook letting everyone know I was looking for a potential model willing to commit to a 6 week treatment plan free of charge. In a few hours a lady reached out. Fast forward, not only did she show up for 6 weeks, she became a really good friend and client of 3 years. Yes earning my first dollar was exciting but the best feeling in the world was hearing her experience. She came to me expecting very little (being that it was free service) and left with an experience that was beyond her expectations. Knowing that not only did I provide an excellent experience but I also helped her achieve some skincare goals.

Personally in my opinion that’s priceless.

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 background and context?

Hello, My name is Monique. I am the owner and founder of Melanin Skin Studio LLC. & LUMAR skincare. I’m a mom of four, three boys and one girl. I was born in Los Angeles, CA but raised in Northern Nevada. My family moved to the DFW area in 2013. At an early age skincare was a passion. I enjoyed pampering myself and my friends. As I became older the health and wellness side of the industry spiked my interest. I wanted to know how ingredients react on the skin. I attended Aveda Arts & Science of Dallas. There I received my education and training in Esthetics. I am a licensed Esthetician in the state of Texas. I continue to expand my knowledge by continuing my education in various courses and trainings.

I opened Melanin Skin Studio LLC in 2020. My first location was located in Euless, Texas. To expand my exposure I moved my business to Lewisville, Texas. There I started to really grow my clientele. In 2021 I launched my own skincare products and line, LUMAR skincare by Melanin Skin Studio LLC. I currently have 3 serums and 1 facial mask. My biggest setback and fear at the moment is having the confidence to create a cleanser & moisturizer. Because everyone has a different need. Being the person that I am. I want to help everyone. But I’m currently working on getting over that. I’m learning to accept that I can’t and won’t help everyone, and that’s ok.

In 2022 the goal is to tap into my full potential.

I believe what sets me apart from others in the same industry- Is my passion to help others. I have been told that it is felt and seen in my work. I try to keep the Spa experience very traditional with my own spin to it. I believe in full relaxation from the moment you walk into my spa suite. It’s definitely my niche because I have selected every single song on the playlist, the scent, decor and products. I have really put a lot of time and effort into Melanin Skin Studio LLC.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

First and foremost- Don’t underestimate the power of social media. It is what you make it and you get what you put into it. Overcome the fear of looking silly and do what the other 99% percent are afraid to do.

I hesitated for a while about adding another social media platform. But Tictok was becoming the next big thing. So I decided to join. I was very intimidated by the dance trends and I never felt so old being on that app! But all that really mattered at the time was my willingness to learn and step out of my comfort zone. I try not to focus on the likes or view counts. I focus on being me. My goal is to find my tribe. I believe we are assigned people who we’re meant to bless and people are assigned to bless us. I put myself out there so I can find them and they can find me.

Social media has actually helped me build my clientele.

I built my audience on social media through networking. I join local loops that work together to support local businesses in the DFW area and also throughout the state of Texas. I’ve learned that being consistent and authentic is key. You want to always make sure you’re adding value, Be inspirational, support others, entertaining and teaching your audience something.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

My previous place of employment awarded me stocks and bonuses the longer I stayed with the company. So when the time was right (for me) I cashed out to start Melanin Skin Studio. I even made the choice to work a temporary job at a Warehouse overnight on the weekends and I took clients in the mornings during the week. It was exhausting at times but I did it to keep my doors open.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.melaninskinstudio.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/melaninskinstudio
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/melaninskinstudio
• Yelp: www.yelp.com/melaninskinstudio