Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzanne Igoe.
Hi Suzanne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I graduated from esthetics school in Atlanta in 2006 and was fortunate to begin my career at a small, locally owned spa in Decatur, Georgia. At the time, I was perfectly content working for someone else,
My girlfriend, who is now my wife, noticed how discouraged I would become when I was denied time off or didn’t have the flexibility I needed.
She saw something in me that I wasn’t quite ready to see in myself and encouraged me to go out on my own.
I am so grateful she did.
That experience ultimately shaped the kind of business owner I wanted to become.. One of the biggest reasons I wanted to build a team was to give my employees something I had wished for myself: flexibility, a healthy work-life balance, the ability to make a good living, and the freedom to do their jobs without feeling confined or overwhelmed by the stress of running a business.
I know how meaningful that flexibility can be because I experienced the difference it made in my own life. I wanted to create a space where talented estheticians could build fulfilling careers, feel supported, make a great living, and still have a life outside of work.
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?
Of course, the road is never completely smooth. But I’ve learned that it’s often the bumps along the way that teach you the most.
From 2011 to 2015, I built a very successful business in Atlanta after going out on my own. Then, my wife and I came to Chattanooga for a visit and decided to make the move.
For the next year, I commuted between Atlanta and Chattanooga while working to build my business here. Starting over was incredibly humbling.
The first time I built a business, I had the privilege of working within an established spa and building my clientele under an existing name and reputation. This time, I was starting completely from scratch. There was no established clientele, no reputation to lean on, and no one else’s name behind me. It was all on my shoulders.
It was humbling, but it was also one of the most important experiences of my career.
You realize just how hard you’re capable of working when you’re forced to. I learned that I could push myself further than I ever thought possible, and that building something meaningful takes patience, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up, even when the road gets difficult.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
PURE Face Care is a leading Chattanooga skincare and facial spa offering a unique blend of medical aesthetics and traditional spa therapies. Our personalized approach is designed to meet you where you are and create a skincare journey around where you want to go.
We are outcome focused, not treatment focused. Rather than simply choosing a facial from a menu, we take the time to understand your skin, your concerns, and your goals. From there, we create a personalized treatment plan designed to achieve meaningful, long-term results.
Every treatment builds upon the last. We continually evaluate your skin and adjust your plan as it changes, strategically combining treatments and home care to help you make consistent progress toward your goals.
From corrective facials and customized skin treatments to chemical peels, microneedling and HIFU Lift for non-invasive skin tightening, every service is thoughtfully selected based on what your skin needs, not simply what happens to be on the menu.
At PURE Face Care, we believe skincare should be honest, intentional, and personal. Our focus on transparency, education, exceptional customer service, and long-term results is what sets us apart.
Your skin is unique. Your goals are unique. Your treatment plan should be, too.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I talk to a lot of estheticians who are either still in school or just starting their careers, and so many of them want to go out on their own. I completely understand that desire, but I also feel that many do not fully realize the journey and challenges that come with owning a business.
For a lot of new estheticians, the desire to go out on their own comes from a fear of losing flexibility. I actually wish more employers were open minded about this. I believe that giving employees more flexibility and trusting them to have a life outside of work could ultimately lead to happier employees and better staff retention.
For the new esthetician, my advice would be to stay open minded. Be a team player. Stay humble. Never stop learning and constantly educate yourself. There is so much to learn in this industry, and some of the most valuable lessons will come from the people you work alongside and the experiences you have along the way.
You do not have to rush to build something of your own. Take the time to learn, grow, make mistakes, build your confidence and understand the business side of this industry. When the time is right, you will be much more prepared to build something that lasts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.purefacecare.com
- Instagram: PUREFaceCare
- Facebook: PUREFaceCareChatt
