Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Canelo.
Rachel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi everyone! My name is Rachel Canelo, and I’m so glad to be back!
I’m a licensed esthetician, content creator, and entrepreneur with a passion for skin health and helping people feel confident in their own skin.
My passion for skincare became deeply personal through my own journey with rosacea and other skin challenges. Experiencing those struggles firsthand gave me a deeper understanding of how much our skin can impact the way we see and feel about ourselves. It also inspired me to create something of my own, a space that combines strong, practical technique with an experience that feels personal, intentional, and centered around each client’s individual needs.
When I launched MODERN SKN, my vision was to build a brand rooted in education, quality, and confidence, while focusing on foundational services such as precision waxing, custom sunless tanning, and brow care. For me, it has always been about more than the service itself; it’s about helping people feel comfortable, cared for, and confident in their skin.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught me something I couldn’t have learned any other way.
One of the biggest challenges early on was learning how to wear every hat. When you’re building a brand like MODERN SKN from the ground up, you quickly realize that being an esthetician is only one part of the job. I was also managing operations, creating content, handling inventory, marketing the business, and figuring out how to keep everything moving while still providing my clients with the level of care they deserved.
Another challenge was learning to work through self-doubt and becoming comfortable with pivoting when things didn’t go according to plan. There were plenty of moments that tested me, whether I was navigating complex skin concerns, reevaluating my business model, or balancing my education and professional goals with the realities of running a business.
What kept me going was reminding myself to look at the bigger picture. Every challenge forced me to learn something new, improve my systems, deepen my knowledge, and become more intentional about the kind of practitioner and business owner I wanted to be. The setbacks weren’t always easy, but they taught me resilience, adaptability, and patience. Looking back, those difficult moments have been some of the most valuable parts of my journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Great question! For me, it really comes down to one thing: helping people feel comfortable and confident in their own skin. Through MODERN SKN, I specialize in results-driven skincare, precision brow care, full-body waxing, and custom sunless tanning.
What sets my approach apart is the combination of personal experience, empathy, and continuous education. As someone who personally navigates rosacea and other skin challenges, I understand the frustration that can come with not knowing what your skin needs or feeling like you’ve tried everything. That experience has shaped the way I work with clients and how I educate my audience. I want skincare to feel approachable, honest, and realistic, not overwhelming or centered around chasing every new trend.
Whether I’m working one-on-one with a client or creating educational content online, my goal is always to focus on long-term skin health, realistic results, and helping people better understand their own skin.
What I’m most proud of is the trust and community I’ve been able to build along the way. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing a client leave feeling more confident, or hearing from someone who finally understands how to care for their skin because of something I shared. Those moments remind me that the work is bigger than the service itself.
Being able to create a brand and platform rooted in authenticity, education, and real connection is what I’m most proud of and it’s what I want to continue building.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories that has always stuck with me is tagging along with my older sister on her makeup shopping trips. I remember being completely mesmerized by all the colors, textures, and products lining the aisles. To me, it felt like stepping into a whole new world.
I would watch how excited she was, test different shades on the back of my hand, and take in everything around me. Looking back, those simple shopping trips were really my first glimpse into the beauty world. It wasn’t just about the products it was the excitement, creativity, and sense of self-expression that beauty represented.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but those little moments planted the first seed for the passion I have for the beauty industry today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boss__mariee/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rachel.Canelo
