Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Garcia.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a government employee working in my 12th year, with the Salt Lake City Justice Court. When COVID hit in 2020, I recently gave birth to my daughter, who is three years old now. While under quarantine and after losing several co-workers due to COVID and other health issues. I wanted to make changes in my life. I needed to start taking care of my overall health and learn self-love. I looked into different esthetics schools around Salt Lake County and toured Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare, and from the moment I walked into the school, I knew I had found my school. I admire Natalie Parkin, the school owner, who has been a mentor for me. I remember the day she introduced herself to everyone and spoke about her story and journey; it was as if she was telling my life story.
I knew I wanted to get my Master Esthetician license, but wanted to focus more on body sculpting. My mindset instantly changed the moment I performed my first facial service. I fell in love with giving clients a facial. Not only was I providing a relaxation service, but I was also passionate and transmitting all my passion, vibe, and energy into the services I would provide customers. The peace and tranquility of performing a service felt so amazing. It was my calling, passion, and what I was meant to do since day one.
I graduated in September 2022 and was licensed two weeks after that. Four months later, I opened Glow Beauty Aesthetics in February 2023. My business is a solo practice located inside Vara Salon Suites. I did not realize how fast things would go for me in opening my Spa; from the moment I had set my mind on becoming an estiepreneur. I must say my dream of having my solo business suite would have been a lot harder if it weren’t for my boyfriend who has helped me out tremendously. He is the best and I love him for always being my greatest fan and supporter! Although he did help me in many ways, I’m proud to say that I have been able to fund my business on my own, which meant I needed to make more sacrifices, no longer doing things, going places, or spending money. I was determined to do things debt free.
I’m proud of where I was and where I am now, and I am grateful I have clients that have followed me from school and have since gotten many referrals. My goal is to provide for my children and be able to give them a better quality of life. Everything I have done is with them in mind and in hope that one day they can be proud of their mother. If you take anything from my story, it is one very important message that I would like to say to anyone reading this who is doubting themselves, “If I can do it, so can you!” I strongly believe we live in an abundant world and in the power of prayer and manifestation. The Dream is Free, but the Hustle is Sold Separately-
Author George Koufalis.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the hardest challenges has been being a single mother, figuring out how I was going to make ends meet, pay all the bills, rent, expenses, and responsibility of raising an infant all on my own, with hardly any support for her father. I found myself having an infant that I had to leave in the evenings, finding a babysitter, and going through 4 sitters throughout my time in school. I’m very thankful for everyone that was part of my support in helping me watch my children while I was going to school. I worked full-time at home and then would go to school at night. I attended school five days out of the week. 4:30 pm-10:00 pm, and went to school every Saturday, for 14 months. Leaving my 1.5 years old and 14 years old son was one of the hardest things I dealt with.
Getting up to work at 7:00 am work 8 hours, then going to school for another 5+ hours, and getting home at 11:00 pm. Still, to get home and find time to eat, shower, wind down, and do it all over again the next day. There were days when I wouldn’t sleep, I had to do homework or work on projects that were due, and the only time I had was when my children were sleeping.
Driving across town during the snow blizzards, having to take my baby out in the cold, drop her off at her sitters, then move back across town to school was exhausting and costly, with gas prices having gone up the roof. There were many times when I spent my last dollar on gas, and somehow GOD always had my back. I would manifest money to fill my gas tank and finish my week or until I got paid. Living paycheck to paycheck was another struggle, but it humbled me. There were times when I just wanted to give up and times when I would sit in my car and cry because I had no help. But then I would remind myself that I had a dream, and I was determined to turn my goal into a dream, so I wiped away my tears and tell to myself, “You can’t let your kids see you cry, there is no time for all that, so put on your big girl panties and keep pushing, because, in the end, it will all be worth it.” I would tell myself; “14 months is going to pass by no matter what, so you can either quit and stay stuck in the same place or push through and graduate to have your own business one day, either way, time will pass, and ultimately, it’s all up to you.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am the proud owner of Glow Beauty Aesthetics and a dedicated Licensed Master Esthetician who decided to make her dreams come true by becoming an entrepreneur. I possess unique and superior skills and a genuine desire and passion for helping my clients with their skincare goals, changing lives, one face at a time! I value customer service and authenticity because together, we will create a unique plan to achieve GLOWING, healthier-looking skin. After all, who doesn’t want to feel confident in their skin? Skin is so much more than what we see superficially. It is deeply interconnected with the mind, body, and soul. The best part of being an esthetician is watching the confidence grow in my clients as they see results along their skincare journey. It is a mental and emotional experience and my fuel to keep helping clients with their skincare goals.
What I believe sets me aside is my passion for helping others, and I genuinely care to help others with their skincare goals. My business is located in West Valley. I have a Medical director, which allows me to perform more advanced aesthetics, therefore allowing me to help my clients even more when it comes to skin concerns. I wanted to stay in my neighborhood because there aren’t very many spas in my area doing the same thing. I speak Spanish, and I have always said I wanted my business page to state Hablo Español! I want to tailor it to everyone, especially Hispanics, as I grew up in a Spanish-speaking home where I never even knew what SPF was. My mother never taught us about skincare. I always thought “Facials were for rich people.” lol! I never knew what self-care was or that it included getting a facial and taking care of your skin.
I want to give back to my community. So that moment someone walks in my door, my focus is on their complete relaxation and skincare needs. I offer ethical & results-driven facial treatments, along with the latest developments in facial skincare, anti-aging, acne treatment, and other spa and beauty services. My goal is to have someone walk through the door and have them know they are being serviced by not only the business owner but a business owner that genuinely cares about them and looks like them. My goal is to educate clients on skincare products and ingredients and show them better ways of taking care of their skin. I want to be known as the Latina Esthetician that wants to normalize men taking care of their skin too, because “Glowing skin doesn’t happen overnight, it happens by appointment.” – Glow Beauty Aesthetics.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I have always followed The Dallas Esthetician-Savanna Boda. Me, I enjoy Mondays because of her podcast, it’s something I look forward to. It’s a good day to learn new things about skincare, ingredients, business, Etc. I love her podcast and am a fan of hers, she is genuinely the Esthetician queen.
In school, we learned about ingredients, I knew that was a passion of mine because I enjoyed learning this topic. So, I was gifted a book called Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary 4th Edition by M. Varinia Michalun (Author), and Joseph C. DiNardo (Author).
Also, The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom Book by Don Miguel Ruiz. & The Voice of Knowledge Book by Don Miguel Ruiz.
These books helped me while I was in school.
I loved to learn about spirituality and energy and The Law of attraction- being that I’m a strong believer in Manifestation. I think I have gotten good at it myself. I can recall in a journal I wrote down that I would one day be a business owner, so I strongly believe in journaling and writing down and believing with your heart what you are already there, or already have what you put your mindset to, and that the Universe and God will make it happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://glowbeautyaesthetics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glow_beauty_aesthetics_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlowBeautyAesthetic/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/glow-beauty-aesthetics-west-valley-city-2
