We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Suzanne Igoe. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Suzanne below.

Suzanne , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

We grew up in Saluda, NC. A small town East of Asheville, NC. We didn’t have a lot of money, we had enough. So when it came to going back to school when we were 14 there was not enough money for new clothes. So my parents worked very hard to give us what we needed. They taught us we had to work for what we wanted. There are 3 girls in the family. My older sister Melissa, my identical twin sister Jenna and Myself. All of us began working at 14 to afford new clothes for the school year.
We were actually all excited to work, and help our parents. My Mom passed away in 2019, my Dad is alive and well. They are the strongest people I know. There was never pity in our house. If you wanted something you worked for it.
I thank them every day for my work ethic’s.

Suzanne , 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?

I have been an Esthetician/Skin Care Technician since 2006.
I began my journey after falling in love with the field when I was working at a hair salon as a receptionist.
I began working at a Spa in Decatur, Ga. I worked there for 5 years. I decided to go in my own and create PURE Face Care in 2011. I focused on all things skin, including body waxing. A few years went by and my partner and I came to Chattanooga to visit. Well, we fell in love! It was the fasted decision we have ever made. The next day we started looking for a house. We moved a month later.
I decided to open a space here. I rented a one room space inside a small hair salon. The room don’t have a ceiling or a door. Now, fast forward 9 years later. PURE has a staff of 6, we offer Holistic and Clinical treatments. I feel it is important to speak to all clients needs. My team is AMAZING! Hiring was so organic the right people just showed up.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Covid… it changed everyone. I remember having to make the decision to close on March 13. Not knowing how long we would be shut down. At the time I had 2 employees. I was scared, I didn’t know if I could pay them much less myself. All of us decided to do what was best for us. Both of my employees decided to go a different direction. I woke up the next day. Sad, I was crying calling my family afraid for the future. But, the next day was a Sunday, I remember sitting on the couch. My partner wakes up and I looked at her and said “I’m not going down like this”.
I immediately took to Instagram and Facebook and started a delivery facial service. I ordered all the supplies I needed on Instagram to pack up kits. I created home treatments. I printed out instructions and started delivering to peoples houses. The community support was unbelievable. I retained 3/4 of my income by doing this for the 10 weeks that we were closed. That was such a pivotal moment in my career in Chattanooga, that I knew in my heart, I was in the right place.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I will always go back to grassroots growth. It is building your client base within your current client base. It takes just one person. It’s slower, but it’s more solid. I have tried advertising. I’ve done print, radio, television, and nothing works as well as word-of-mouth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://purefacecare.com
• Instagram: purefacecare
• Facebook: purefacecare
• Yelp: PURE Face Care

Image Credits

Sarah Unger
Sarahcatherinephoto.com