Today we’d like to introduce you to Symone Warford
Hi Symone, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my journey into aesthetics in high school, as a freelance makeup artist and working part-time in the beauty-related retail industry. After high school I decided to get formally educated in aesthetics. This decision was initially based on wanting to provide my makeup clients a better base for their makeup application. I fell in love with skincare and followed through to become an AP Aesthetician. I paid my dues working for several franchise spas and eventually moved into medical aesthetics, working for a top tier dermatologist clinic in the southwest metro. While I enjoyed serving clients directly, I also loved mentoring others and eventually decided that I wanted to become an aesthetics educator so that I could pass on my knowledge and experience to aspiring aestheticians. After receiving my Aesthetics Educator license, I began a career in this field working for an Aesthetics School in White Bear Lake. Eventually the commute became a bit much to handle on a daily basis and I decided to transition to the school where my aesthetics career began, PCI Academy. While working as an AP Educator I also had big dreams about launching my own spa. I started small, part-time, slowly building my books and focusing on investing in the business and growing cash flow. My client base expanded quickly and I was able to build trust with repeat clientele looking to transform their skin. Now, about 18 months into this new part of my journey, I am looking to expand operations to a multi-suite spa where I can continue serving clients and also offer education for current and aspiring aestheticians. Every time I get an opportunity to share my knowledge and help a client feel better about their skin and build their confidence, I feel most fulfilled. Having the opportunity to teach and help clients boost their confidence and self-love is what drives me and sustains me as I continue growing my facial spa and serving clients.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I opened my facial spa on a shoestring budget, investing personal savings and re-investing every penny I earned right back into Lujo Aesthetics. I had to experiment with product lines to see what I liked and didn’t like and which services my clients wanted and received the best results from. A spa is no different than any other business and requires a fair amount of back office support. Being a one person operation at the beginning was very taxing while also working full-time as AP Aesthetics Educator. I dreamt of the day that I would be able to at least move to part-time and eventually service my spa full-time. While I am an expert in all thing aesthetics, I did not have a business background so I had to learn everything from how to get a website, manage my accounting, and get help with customer service needs. It is also challenging to decide what to invest in when it comes to aesthetics devices and product lines. Making wise decisions about where to invest hard-earned revenue is perhaps the toughest part of being a spa owner. You are daily bombarded with offers to market your business, improve your website, try this and that facial machine or product, and more. You have to really be diligent in doing your research and making the right decisions for the stage your business is in. My priority is serving my clients with excellence and so that is what I have always focused on while drowning out the noise.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Lujo Aesthetics is a minority-owned facial spa in Plymouth, MN. We provide skincare for the entire family, whether you are a teenager struggling with persistent acne or in your seventies wanting to maintain your skin’s health and minimize the appearance of aging skin. We offer a full range of facial services, including essential and premier facials, chemical peels, micro- and nano-needling, brow services, facial waxing, and makeup services. We also carry medical-grade skincare products, partnering with SkinCeuticals, VI Institute, Face Reality, and SkinMedica. What sets us apart is that we offer a peaceful, private experience and personalized care – no two treatments are the same at Lujo Aesthetics. Every facial and treatment is customized to maximize its benefits for our clients. We specialize in problem skin conditions, such as melasma, hyperpigmentation, acne and post-acne scarring, sun damage, and of course combatting the signs of aging that everyone encounters at some point in their life. We are known for making even the most reluctant spa goer comfortable with receiving aesthetics treatments. We pride ourselves in building true relationships with our clients, understanding their needs and partnering with them to help them achieve their skincare goals. Unlike many other spas, where turnover is extremely high and clients can’t rely on receiving the same quality care consistently, we work hard to provide only the best in affordable, high-value services and products, and hand-craft individualized treatment plans that get results.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I feel that a deep sense of caring and empathy is most important in my line of work. When a client visits my spa with a skin challenge that robs them of their confidence and makes them feel self-conscious, it is my job to make them feel comfortable and at ease about the recommendations I give for improving their skin. Many spas can be intimidating to walk into when the lobby is filled with beautiful young women who have flawless skin. Clients have even told me that they have experienced feeling judged when visiting certain spas and dermatology offices and that they felt unheard. I have struggled with many of the same skin conditions that my clients present with, so I can relate to their frustrations and assure them that improvement can be achieved. It is also important to me that my spa environment is welcoming to everyone, which I believe is reflected in the neutral color tones of our branding. Last but not least, excellent customer service is a key part of Lujo Aesthetic’s success – we pride ourselves in personalized messaging, responsiveness, and flexibility. Our clients can book via phone, text message, online and email us for a same day response, any time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lujoaesthetics.com
- Instagram: @lujo.aesthetics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Aesthetics.Lujo
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lujo-aesthetics-llc/?viewAsMember=true
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/gmyA1__lPaVJiaiAGRA19Q
