Meet Liz Price

Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Price.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I fell in love with skincare the day I toured esthetics school. I hadn’t known I wanted to be an esthetician. In fact, the decision to become one was based solely on the fact that I needed a new career and one that would allow me to work evenings and weekends so that we could avoid daycare expenses!

We had recently had our first child and the mortgage industry that I thrived in was in crisis. No one was hiring. I knew I couldn’t go back to it anyway, the hours were atrocious and the emotional roller coaster of working on home loans was taxing. I wanted a career that fed my soul. I needed something that challenged me, but in a way that motivated me, not drained me. I found all of this in esthetics.

I attended D’Armi Esthetics and finished their part-time program in just over nine months. I sent out over 200 resumes to quickly find that mortgage wasn’t the only industry that was suffering. It took some time, but two gals took a chance on a recent graduate that was newly pregnant!

I worked at a local day spa for over four years and started with just one five hour shift per week. It took two solid years for me to build a clientele but by the time I left, was working over 30+ hours per week and was booked out for weeks.

It was such a beautiful experience there. I was asked to lead a team of eight estheticians and our girls had such great synergy. My leadership role taught me how to manage my time, keep track of inventory, work in training, and handle tough situations with guests. I learned so much during my time at the spa and I’m so thankful to the owners, the other managers, and all of the gals I was fortunate enough to work with.

A few short years later, I decided to open vivid skin. wax. lash. My kids were at an age where I needed more flexibility in my schedule and working for a spa or salon was no longer feasible. Being on my own, I can start my day at 7:30 am and finish at 9 pm if needed. I do live by a calendar that sometimes is booked eight weeks out, but I have more control over it.

I love the education aspect of skincare. The field is constantly changing and new ingredients, technologies, and modalities are always making their way to the field. I keep up by taking at least one class a quarter, subscribe to industry magazines and read the latest skincare books. I love sharing all of the information I’ve gathered with my clients. I personally feel it enhances the service if they understand why I’m using the product I’m using or why a different service might help them to achieve their long term skin care goals.

The absolute best thing about being an esthetician is by far, the clients! I love that women and men come to see me and feel safe enough to share their lives with me, or comfortable enough to just sleep! I’ve built so many amazing friendships and love when I get to see mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunties, friends, sons, and dads. This is truly a blessing because it tells me that a guest has enjoyed their service enough to share it with others.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Overall, I feel really blessed. I knew that it would take time to build a clientele. I had done it before in mortgage and at the day spa. Starting alone in my studio was no different and although working towards full books was a challenge, I just felt that if I kept working hard and stayed focus that it would once again happen.

There are still days that I question my abilities but I think that’s true of any person that wants to do a great job. There’s so much information available to consumers and I spend a lot of my free time researching other lines, trends, and ingredients. I have to be able to answer questions that clients throw my way. Every once in a blue moon there can be an allergy and that presents a different challenge because what works for one guest doesn’t for another.

I think because my family has been a huge support and they recognize my passion for this industry, it makes everything easier.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
My passion is skincare! I love helping people feel amazing about their skin. As an aging woman, I want to do my very best to age as gracefully as possible and want to help clients do the same. My personal favorite is microneedling because it works from the bottom up to create changes in the skin. It has minimal downtime, less than invasive peels or laser, but it helps to produce long term collagen production in the skin. It’s inevitable, but working skincare treatments like this into your life can slow the aging process down.

Along with skincare I offer waxing and lash lifting. Lifting lashes is pretty fun because unlike reversing the signs of aging, it offers instant results. I brought the service on over two years ago and it’s still one of my most requested services!

I think I’m most proud of the work I get to do with acneic skin. I offer the Face Reality acne program and it has changed lives. I’ve sat with gals in tears because their skin has been a constant struggle. The program isn’t easy, it requires a huge commitment on the client’s part, but it has a 90% success rate if participants remain committed. Seeing the personality shift from timid to outgoing and sad to ecstatic makes this program the most rewarding thing I’ve been a part of in esthetics.

I don’t know that there’s one thing specifically that sets me apart from other estheticians. There are so many beautifully talented skincare therapists out there. I’d like to think it’s my commitment to the client. I like to work progressively with the skin to challenge it to improve, however, I won’t do something I think will be too much for your skin. I like to set proper expectations and think education and honesty are what my clients value the most.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I absolutely love Phoenix and more specifically Gilbert. I grew up in this town and have seen it grow immensely. As far as becoming an esthetician and starting a new business, I think networking within the community will help you to grow any business. There is so much love in the valley for small business owners like myself!

Pricing:

• introductory facial $49
• lashlift & tint $65
• microneedling package 3/$500
• dermaplane $75
• custom facial $59

Contact Info:

• Address: 1030 South Gilbert Road Suite 103 Studio 107
  Gilbert, AZ 85296
• Website: vividskinwaxlash.com
• Phone: 4802131931
• Email: liz@vividskinwaxlash.com
• Instagram: vividskinwaxlash
• Facebook: vivid skin. wax. lash

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.