Rising Stars: Meet Melissa Rodi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Rodi.

Hi Melissa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a native Arizonian and graduated from Arizona State University with my B.A. in Tourism Development and Management and certificates in Special Event Planning and Meeting Planning. I finished my required internship at the Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu, HI as a Community Outreach Coordinator and then moved on to Community Outreach Coordinator at the USS Missouri after I graduated college.

I was there for 5 years before returning home to Phoenix to help my family through a difficult time. During that time I worked at Kharma Life center as a marketing coordinator. When I was offered an opportunity to work for GreenPeace in Portland, Oregon. I once again packed my bags and made the 22-hour drive to Portland.

I knew from a young age that my passions were centered around helping others. Like many people, I think I struggled with finding the right outlet for that passion and where I felt like I truly belonged. When I returned back to Phoenix, I made the decision to start pursuing a degree in nursing/dietetics. Since my previous degree had absolutely nothing to do with either I had to start over with my prerequisites and then proceed from there.

I got a part-time job at a Medical Spa while I was taking classes and BOOM was thrown into the wonderful world of aesthetics and nutrition. As my classes advanced and I learned more about the human body my interest only grew. Under the supervision of my medical director, I took on more responsibilities as a Diet and Nutrition Coach (I focused a lot of my classes on diet and nutrition) and felt that it came so naturally and that I could truly make a difference in so many of my client’s lives.

I created personalized plans and met with clients to help them overcome the physical and mental barriers that often are associated with weight. When I was afforded the opportunity to get become a certified laser technician at National Laser Institute, I seized it.

All of these combined experiences and winding journeys have brought me where I am today. I didn’t know it at the time but they gave me the insight and skills to start my own laser clinic. It has afforded me the flexibility to continue with my studies and to continue to connect and help people. It is much more than just the aesthetics for me, it is helping people overcome hurdles that hold them back from being the most confident version of themselves.

And as my certificates and licenses increase I plan to expand to offer more services to help a broader range of people. I think I will be a career student, I love to learn and grow and cannot wait to see what the future has in store and what this small business can become.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The initial challenge was channeling my passion into the right career.

I moved around a lot and held many different positions before I found the one that really clicked in a field I was truly interested in and happy in. The only real direction I ever had is that I enjoy helping others. Obviously, there are a lot of positions that can fulfill that need but it wasn’t until I worked in a Medical Spa and started pursuing my nursing degree that everything just felt right.

Covid was definitely one that impacted everyone in one way or another. The Medical Spa that I worked at closed for a while, to sickness and death in the family, my classes went completely online. I am a hands-on learner and chemistry labs and biology labs had to be completed online and just the complexity of the material was a real struggle. Just a really tough time for everyone.

Supply chain shortages really had an impact on my business. I had the equipment ordered, my lease was signed, and I had all of the insurance and proper monthly charging services that I needed to fully open. The equipment was late to be delivered and without my machines, I had no services to offer. So those first few months where zero income was coming in and I was just watching my funds slowly dwindle was extremely stressful.

There is a lot, and I mean a LOT of competition for what I do in Arizona so establishing a brand and differentiating myself from the other providers was a challenge. Establishing trust with clients that find you online- there are so many places to go for this service so for a new business that can be challenging.

People trust reviews and with a new business, there might not be many of those.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My services include Laser hair removal, hair regrowth treatments, IPL photo facials, standard micro-needling, micro-needling with stem cells/ brightening, scar removal, pigment removal, and vascular removal (spider veins/ broken capillaries), and laser facials.

My favorite treatment to do is the non-surgical hair regrowth treatment. I have patients that are cancer survivors and thinning hair resulting from undergoing treatment and everything their bodies had to endure. There are so many variables that are hard to control when talking about hair loss. It could be genetics, stress, hormone imbalances, necessary medications, etc.

Thinning hair can be a huge cause of insecurities as we mature and being able to help people overcome that is something I absolutely love doing.

I also love vascular removal. I personally have issues with spider veins on my legs and ankles resembling large bruises and even in Arizona felt uncomfortable wearing shorts even in summer. Especially, if people have broken capillaries on the face it can make a huge difference in boosting confidence.

I am very thorough and focus on client education and safety. I do not believe in a “one treatment fits all” mindset and strive to customize treatments based on client needs. I am the first to refer them to a trusted colleague if I feel that there is something out there that I do not offer that would be more beneficial.

I listen carefully to client concerns and walk them through various treatments and procedures so that we can collectively decide how to proceed with treatment. I fully believe in transparency and honesty in regard to treatment processes and results.

So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
I feel like there are a lot of things that matter in regards to operating my business but the first and foremost is client safety. There are always risks when it comes to laser treatments and many safety precautions are not well known to clients.

Sun exposure, certain medications, skin type/color/sensitivity, ingredients in skincare products, and other factors can all impact how a client’s skin will react to a laser. It is my responsibility to be thorough during intake, pre, and post-care instructions, and assessment of skin characteristics to ensure a safe experience for my client.

Client safety also includes education and transparency in order for me to relay enough information to the client and glean enough from the client for the treatment to run smoothly.

Contact Info:

• Email: Melissarodi@luminouslaseraz.com
• Website: https://www.luminouslaseraz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luminouslaseraz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077671445673

Image Credits
Kerry Parker and Micheaels Photography