Woman In Business Spotlight: Skin Haven

"I was always into skincare because I dealt with acne myself," says twenty-eight-year-old esthetician Alexandra Viegas.

Viegas opened her business six years ago and has progressed ever since. She began by taking clients in her home and then rented small rooms in hair salons until she finally opened her own place, Skin Haven, in June 2022, in Staten Island, New York.

"What motivated me most coming into this new space was that I had left an abusive relationship," she explains," I never had anything in my life. The only thing I had was this business, which pushed me even more and is the only thing I've been consistent with in my life."

When creating Skin Haven, Viegas did her research and connected with others in the industry. She explained how one of the women she networked with helped her set up her business.

"You kind of just grow as you go," she says," I used to work multiple jobs while being an esthetician, and I'm finally at the point where I don't need an additional job. I grew a lot, but that's with consistency and posting on social media."

What Viegas loves most about her job is helping others, whether that is other individuals in the industry or her clients, to whom she helps provide the proper services.

Prior to her clients' arrival, she would have them fill out a form answering questions about their skin and what they would like to work on before booking. Once they arrived, she would take a look at their skin and go over the procedure with them.

Viegas makes her face masks from scratch using organic powders, herbs, and a variety of extracts. She customizes each mask and the application process to accommodate each client's specific needs. Helping clients feel beautiful is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

If you are looking to start your own business, Viegas advises to "keep going, keep pushing, and stay consistent. It all comes together in the end.