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

Alright, Rebecca thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

During my first few months in business, I was slowly but steadily building my clientele and was seeing around 8-10 clients every month. But then came July, my 4th full month in business, and I had 26 clients booked – a huge milestone for me at that time!

But one particular appointment that month was more memorable than the rest. A husband had just booked an appointment for his wife’s first-ever birthday facial. She was so excited and even braved a summer storm to get to me!

Everything was going perfectly until a strange sound interrupted her facial – a gurgle, a clang, and rushing water. I excused myself to investigate and was greeted by the sight of water rushing a pipe behind a closet and quickly flooding my entire studio. I promptly ended my client’s birthday facial and helped her wade through ankle-deep water to exit. It was incredibly embarrassing and so frustrating to have to deal with such a strange situation during my strongest month thus far. (Luckily, the client had a great sense of humor about it and she’s still a loyal client to this day!).

But, the story gets weirder. 9 months later, I was hitting yet another financial milestone in my business… and was greeted with yet another flood! This one much more severe. But rather than being flustered or angry, I just felt a strange sense of calm. I’d known for a while that my location, while great for my first year in business, wasn’t the best fit for me in the long run. It felt like the universe was telling me it was time for a change. So, I trusted my intuition and looked for a new location to continue my journey.

And my new location has been such a better fit to support my business at the speed that it’s growing!

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.

I’m a licensed esthetician, and I proudly own Levitate Beauty & Skin Studio in the heart of Astoria, Queens, NYC. Here, I specialize in crafting custom facials tailored to suit all individuals and skin types. I’ve shaken things up from the typical “spa vibe” to create a facial experience that feels more casual, supportive, and inviting. There’s upbeat music setting the tone, no robes, and absolutely no judgement — just come as you are and get ready to receive the absolute best care for your skin.

My journey to this point has been far from linear, but every experience has contributed to the creation of Levitate Beauty & Skin Studio.

I’ve struggled with acne since I was 7 years old and I can vividly remember those years I spent scrutinizing my reflection. Countless visits to dermatologists and years of medication, from tretinoin to accutane, gave me only temporary relief.

Then, during my freshman year of college, it hit me — I didn’t have a skincare routine! That might sound ridiculous, but for all those years, dermatologists had never bothered to teach me about caring for my skin beyond slapping on a prescription. I made it my mission to learn everything I could about taking care of my skin and I pieced together my first real skincare routine! Gradually, I started seeing an improvement in my acne, and even more importantly, I discovered that my daily skincare ritual felt so therapeutic to me and brought a newfound peace to my relationship with my skin and my reflection.

Post-college, I spent a few years working as a cosmetics merchandise planner, but always felt uncomfortable with the way the beauty industry can often seem to wield people’s insecurities to sell product. So I created an Instagram and blog called Levitate Beauty, using it as a platform to share my personal skincare journey, offer guidance, and build a community with others on similar paths.

After being let go from my corporate job in 2020 due to COVID-19, I enrolled in esthetics school, hoping to elevate my skincare content creation business. But something magical happened — I fell in love with giving facials!

As someone that really struggled with my skin, receiving a facial felt so intimate and vulnerable and, honestly, scary! And I saw the opportunity right there. I could give others the level of care, understanding, and guidance that I wished I had received with my skin.

Thus, Levitate Beauty & Skin Studio was born! I’ve created a haven for all skin types, where comfort is paramount. My facials are about more than just the unique ambiance – I also prioritize delivering the highest level of care. To me, the beauty and spa industry often lacks genuine compassion. Sure, profitability matters in business, but so does intention. I’ve crafted a facial experience that ensures every client walks through my door feeling valued, heard, free from judgment, and armed with skincare support that extends far beyond the treatment room. What started as a passion project has become a steadily growing business that feels so exciting and rewarding each day!

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I truly feel that my best tool for fostering brand loyalty is to always keep my clients’ experience my number one priority. I do this in my business not just by giving a great facial, but also by being a fantastic communicator. I listen closely to what my clients are telling me and explain clearly to them how we’re going to work together to address each of their goals. After each and every appointment, I send each client an email recapping what we spoke and delivering an outline of their custom treatment plan and any recommendations that will help them reach their skin goals. Going above and beyond to ensure my clients feel heard and have the tools they need to take care of their skin has been my key to fostering that trust and loyalty.

Contact Info:

• Website: LevitateBeauty.com
• Instagram: @levitate.beauty

Image Credits
Levitate Beauty & Skin Studio