We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Ford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

A defining moment was when I landed in LA and saw how limited the aestheticians were when it came performing treatments. Coming from the North Carolina, estheticians are able to consult and perform invasive treatments such as lasers, micro needling, Co2, etc under a guided physician. Having this background gave me the knowledge and expertise that estheticians in California lacked because of the legal limits. In that moment I realized that I could not only perform corrective facials that are result driven but to properly guide clients on which treatments are worth investing in long term at other local medspas.

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 back background and context?

This may surprise people! When I was in high school I got a full ride scholarship to do make-up, but instead I wanted to make my mom proud and go for nursing. After 2 years I dropped out and working part time at laser hair removal company, I fell in love with medical aesthetics. The combination of medical aesthetics and seeing clients smile from results made me so happy. Upon graduating with my esthetician license I became sick with PCOS and leaky gut, I had cystic acne, stubborn melasma, balding from hairloss and reached 200lbs, I became sad and depressed. I negotiated my way into a medspa as a Spanish translator front desk, I knew esthetician graduates don’t get the opportunity to go straight to medical aesthetics, it takes years to get to that level so I was so happy I was even hired as a front desk to start to learn about the industry. The office I worked at was also a weightloss clinic so I got the opportunity to learn about aesthetics and wellness. My life completely changed for the better!

Rachel Roff a 10+ year veteran expert on melanin skin was my then boss and mentor, and strict when it came to proper education and performing treatments. Learning so much from her, I became an expert in the field.

After years with the company, I was offered a job in los Angeles and made my way, I was very disciplined when it came to work, the first 2-3 years in LA work was my life. To me, my work doesn’t feel like work, it’s my passion. What sets me apart is that not only do I educate and perform corrective treatments but I also educate on lifestyle because skin is within. Now I am in school for Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine nutrition to be able to speak more on gut related issues that coincide with skincare. My next dream is to build a nonprofit to be able to provide more education to our younger generation on the importance of the foods we eat.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I decided to go off on my own, I was very excited but the real challenge was when COVID-19 hit within TWO WEEKS of me opening my business. I had to close down and I was very nervous and lost on what to do next.

I remember posting on social media one day and asking my clients “if anyone wants to peel, I have these peels to do at home since we are locked in”

honestly I didn’t think anything of it, I thought maybe 1 or 2 people would buy, BUT to my surprise I sold out in 20 minutes of all the home treatments. I made more money in 20 minutes than what I made in a month!
That’s when it hit me that I was missing a market I had access to the whole time. Clients love education and easy access to purchase product; not having to go buy at the store but the comfort of their home personalized by a professional.

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

What really builds a reputation is your own client base, clients just was to be HEARD. I think that’s where alot of people fail to realize. When a client walks in they don’t want to immediately be told what to do or what regime they need. Clients want to be cared for, listened to, and having an honest relationship with them is important. We are here to help others, guide them, teach them. That’s how my name organically grew. When clients feel cared for, it’s a grapevine effect from there. Take the time to sit down and listen, and watch your business grow!

Contact Info:

• Website: sarahford.co
• Instagram: sarahfordofficial