Today we’d like to introduce you to Athena Vassell.
Hi Athena, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Goddess Glows Esthetics was originally found in 2019. I was working in healthcare and came to a point where I felt I needed and wanted to shift gears a little and find a new career. I have always loved makeup and wondered what did it took to become a professional MUA. So, to Google I went and the first thing that popped up in my search was Esthetician. Like many I too couldn’t pronounce the word at first. It made me more curious and I dug deeper to find out more information.
I then found the closest esthetics school near me and signed up for a tour immediately. Before I left the tour, I had enrolled into Kenneth Shuler full-time to become an esthetician.
I completed school while being a full-time mom for the first time to twin daughters of the age of 3. Two days before graduation I was offered a job at Hand and Stone. I worked there for a few months and then life happened.
Feb 2019, I left Hand and Stone to undergo a very life-altering event. I had to have brain surgery as I had just recently found out 2 months prior to leaving work that I had a rare incurable brain disease and it was a MUST that I had surgery.
After many hours under the knife at MUSC Hospital in Charleston, SC the neurosurgeons removed the bottom half of my brain. I had a stroke during my brain surgery and I woke up paralyzed from my neck down. This caused life to be traumatically different for me and my family. I stayed in the hospital for a very long time learning how to walk, talk, eat, read, write, and so much more to adjust to what is considered the basics that many can take for granted in life.
After many weeks away from my family and friends and even my career I had to relearn a lot as well as the importance of skincare. It wasn’t until many months after my surgery my business was born. It is when I found out that I was destined for all the events I had endured. Business grew from family and friends than to many others wanting to get their skin treated by myself and the rest is HERstory.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was not a smooth or easy road to say the very least. I went through trial and error trying to finalizing formulas. I had and have restrictions or limitations now from my health. I struggled with capturing my target audience because at first, I wasn’t able to work out of a salon. Most of all those that gave me a chance and was humble enough to let me service them I deeply appreciate it all, because that’s what pushed me further ahead.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Goddess Glows Esthetics is a welcoming serene space where one can come and just cater to self! Indulge in selfcare such as Facials, Vajacials, Full Body Wax, Yoni Steams, and Teeth Whitening. Not only can you just receive the services but you can also purchase our all natural skincare product line.
The thing that sets me apart from other estheticians or chain spas is that I personally and professionally hand make all of skincare products. All products are free from alcohol and preservatives or harsh chemicals. Each bottle is packaged with love passion and purpose just for you! Every ingredient is a superfood for the skin. I can stand firmly and proudly to say using my products you’re guaranteed to yield real-life results in about 2 weeks if not sooner! I’m beyond proud that not only am I reaching over the USA but overseas as well!! I even have supporters that purchase my products from Germany, South Asia, and Nigeria!
Goddess Glows Esthetics has grown so much and is on to higher heights. I’m so honored and humbled to say with extremely hard work, long hours in the salon, working on clients, creating product formulas, responding to emails, sleepless nights, literal pain and tears it’s all paying off for the greater good I can proudly say that I am a Season 1 Cast Member on a New Reality Show called I’m The Entrepreneurs Social Connect Show on BlackGirlTVNetwork Sneak Peek in August 2022 and Season 1 Premier coming December 2022, so stay tuned!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The advice I can give to anyone wanting to do esthetics or anything for that matter is to remain consistent. Consistency is definitely the major key to success. Always STAY FOCUS ON YOUR FOCUS and the rest will fall right into place!
Contact Info:
- Email: Athena@goddessglowsesthetics.com
- Website: www.aboutherglow.com
- Instagram: Goddessglows_esthetics
- Facebook: Goddess Glows Esthetics
Image Credits
Valeria Simon
