Exploring Life & Business with Erica Martinez of The Empress LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Martinez.

Hi Erica , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always had a deep love for beauty. Long before The Empress LA existed, I was working at Sephora while I was in RN school. Even then, I knew I didn’t want to choose between creativity and science. I wanted both. I was fascinated by the way beauty could change how someone felt, and equally fascinated by the science behind the human body. Aesthetics felt like the natural intersection of those two worlds.
After completing nursing school in 2015 and earning my bachelor’s degree. I began my career as a registered nurse at Cedars-Sinai. I worked in advanced heart failure and progressive care where I developed a strong clinical foundation and learned how to care for patients in high-acuity, emotionally intense settings. That experience shaped me profoundly; teaching me discipline, precision, and the importance of truly seeing the person behind the diagnosis.
I later went back to school for my master’s degree, where I transitioned into teaching and working with medical devices. Education and innovation became a passion of mine, and I loved being able to bridge clinical knowledge with emerging technologies. Eventually, I returned again to school to complete my post-master’s nurse practitioner degree, becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2020; 2 months after giving birth to my son.
As an NP, I worked in palliative care during the height of COVID, helped develop a telehealth care model, and provided in-home supportive services for palliative patients. That chapter of my life was incredibly meaningful as it deepened my empathy and reinforced my belief that healing is not just physical, but emotional and energetic as well.
In 2022, I began the process of opening a med spa, but life had other plans. I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, and I made the conscious decision to pause that dream and focus on motherhood. During that time, I accepted a position at UCLA, where I helped build an outpatient sickle cell program, worked with clinical trials, and contributed to research initiatives. It was an honor to be part of work that directly impacted underserved populations. And in 2023, completed my Doctorate in Nursing Practice. My dad was a huge part of my drive and support for achieving my goals.
In 2024, I lost my father at the age of 91. He was spiritually gifted, he was clairvoyant, intuitive, and deeply connected and although I had always known I was empathic and intuitive myself, I had pushed that part of me aside growing up in a very religious environment. After his passing, I realized that intuition was something we shared, and reconnecting with it felt like reconnecting with him.
In January of 2025, after a particularly difficult workday, I went home and casually searched for commercial spaces for lease. I remembered a space owned by a woman I shared mutual circles with, it had once been used for a lash business, and I had thought at the time how perfect it would be for a med spa. Ironically, when I searched that night, the space was available.
Out of intuition and curiosity, I pulled tarot cards, something I had recently learned as a way of reconnecting with myself. I pulled The Empress which symbolized creation, divine femininity, and the birth of something new. Then came the Ten of Pentacles, representing wealth and legacy, followed by The Sun, one of the most positive cards in the deck, and finally The Chariot, symbolizing forward momentum and decisive action. In that moment, I felt I had nothing to lose.
I picked up the phone and called. An 85-year-old man answered. We spoke for nearly 45 minutes about his life, his journey, and mine. He asked my age, told me I wasn’t getting any younger, and shared how he made his first millions in his twenties. As we were wrapping up, I mentioned that I had lost my dad the year before and how he had some of the same mannerisms and I thanked him for the conversation. He paused, then asked if I wanted to see the space.
I met him later that evening. As we stood inside, he stared at me quietly. My clinical instincts immediately kicked in and I asked if he was okay. He smiled and said, “Something inside is telling me I need to help you.” I left a small deposit that night and moved forward with the lease.
From there, everything accelerated. In February, I re-trained extensively, traveling to different parts of the country every weekend to learn from some of the best injectors and aesthetic providers so I could open confidently and ethically. I officially opened The Empress LA in June, left UCLA in July, and have been on this journey ever since.
The Empress LA is where my love for science, aesthetics, and manifestation come together. My philosophy is simple: align your energy, refine your beauty, and manifest the Empress within. I don’t believe in changing people. I believe in enhancing what’s already there. I find beauty in individuality and asymmetry, and my goal is to bring someone’s inner confidence outward in a way that feels natural, empowered, and authentic.
At The Empress LA, I strive to give everyone the confidence to feel like the most elevated version of themselves. This space isn’t just about treatments; it’s about empowerment, intention, and honoring the beauty that already exists within you.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has not always been smooth. In fact, it has been incredibly challenging. The last decade I’ve worked in healthcare is challenging in itself, and working toward long-term goals while navigating major life transitions adds another layer entirely. Transitioning from a healthcare provider to a med spa owner has been one of the most difficult shifts I’ve ever made.
Opening The Empress LA has been both the most rewarding and the most challenging experience of my life but I would do it all again in a heartbeat. For the first time, I truly feel like I am walking in alignment with my life path. I feel more intuitively connected to myself and to my roots than ever before, and that connection has become a guiding force in both my personal and professional life.
I don’t believe we all start from the same place or the same starting line. We all come from different circumstances, backgrounds, and resources. I can honestly say I’ve worked from the ground up to get where I am today. Nothing was handed to me easily. I was given opportunities, and I chose to run with them but those opportunities still required sacrifice, resilience, and consistency.
Owning a small business is incredibly demanding, especially in healthcare and aesthetics, but I’m proud to say I’ve made it through my first seven months and I plan to continue forward. I truly love what I do. I don’t see The Empress LA as an end point, I see it as the foundation. My vision includes expanding into additional locations, building a mobile unit, and eventually staffing and mentoring other injectors who share the same passion for aesthetics and intentional, ethical care.
What I believe truly sets The Empress LA apart is the intuitive aspect and my philosophy is centered on enhancement. I strive to refine what already exists, not change who someone is. My goal is to help people feel confident, aligned, and empowered in their own skin and that is a mission I will continue to stand by as The Empress LA grows.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Empress LA ?
The Empress LA Aesthetics & Wellness is a full-service medical spa rooted in the belief that true beauty is a combination of science, intention, and confidence. Our philosophy is simple: align your energy, refine your beauty, and manifest the Empress within. Everything we offer is designed to enhance what already exists, not change who you are.
Clinically, we provide a comprehensive, multi-platform approach to aesthetics and wellness. Our services include neurotoxins such as Botox and Jeuveau, as well as dermal fillers including Evolysse, which utilizes the newest cold technology for hyaluronic acid on the market and has received industry recognition as one of the most innovative new fillers available. We offer traditional microneedling, advanced radiofrequency microneedling, and customized microneedling treatments where we can infuse regenerative modalities such as exosomes and salmon DNA to enhance skin repair and rejuvenation. Additional services include PRP, EZ Gel (a PRF-based, autologous treatment that uses your own growth factors to restore volume and improve skin quality naturally), PRX, a topical biostimulator often compared to Sculptra for collagen stimulation and overall skin rejuvenation, as well as microchanneling with ProCell therapy utilizing stem cell technology to support skin rejuvenation and hair restoration.
Our laser and device-based treatments are a cornerstone of the practice. Using the LUNA RAY multiplatform laser, we offer diode laser hair removal, IPL for skin rejuvenation, Nd:YAG Q-switched laser treatments for tattoo removal, carbon laser peels infused with exosomes for radiant, glass-like skin, and hydrodermabrasion facials using Candela technology paired with red, blue, and green light therapy. I am also a brand partner with Luna and serve as a clinical trainer for laser treatments, which allows me to remain at the forefront of laser innovation and education.
In the wellness and regenerative space, we offer medical weight loss programs using GLP therapies, vitamin and peptide injections including B12 and NAD, IV drip therapy curated to each patient’s individual needs, and vaginal rejuvenation treatments using advanced radiofrequency technology to support tissue tightening, improve lubrication, and reduce urinary incontinence.
What truly sets The Empress LA apart is that every treatment, device, and product offered is backed by research. With a background in clinical care and research, I am deeply intentional about vetting everything that comes into the space. I carefully review clinical data, safety profiles, and outcomes before introducing any service, ensuring that each offering is evidence-based, ethically delivered, and curated to achieve optimal, natural-looking results for my patients.
We also utilize AI-based skin analysis to provide an unbiased, data-driven evaluation of the skin, allowing us to build thoughtful, long-term treatment strategies rather than one-off procedures. Curated oils and sprays are incorporated to support energetic alignment and intention-setting, creating an experience that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of care.
I’m most proud of the integrity and intentionality behind the brand. In a world where body dysmorphia is increasingly common, The Empress LA stands for enhancement we focus on preserving individuality, honoring natural features, and helping clients feel confident, empowered, and aligned in their own skin. The Empress LA is where advanced medical aesthetics meets authenticity and where confidence is refined, not manufactured.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are many ways people can work with me, collaborate with me, or support The Empress LA. Of course, the most direct way is to come in and experience the space and services firsthand, but support can also be as simple as sharing what we offer with friends and family who may be interested.
I’m always open to collaborations; especially with influencers, creatives, and entrepreneurs who genuinely align with the values of The Empress LA and are interested in experiencing and sharing our services authentically. I also love partnering with small businesses and believe strongly in community over competition. When we support one another, we all grow.
Giving back and staying rooted in the community is very important to me. I’ve always been a Downey resident and plan to remain so, and I’m especially interested in collaborating with local businesses in Downey and throughout Los Angeles and L.A. County. Whether it’s events, cross-promotions, or creative partnerships, I’m open to exploring ways we can grow together.
Anyone who resonates with what The Empress LA stands for intentional beauty, confidence, authenticity, and evidence-based care is welcome here. The Empress LA was created to serve a diverse community, and I truly believe there is space for everyone to feel supported, seen, and empowered.

Pricing:

• Carbon laser facial with exosome mask $222
• Tattoo removal: small $111/per session, medium $222/per session, large $333/per session
• Weight loss program GLPs $444/monthly
• Dermal filler $555/ per syringe
• Neurotoxin (Jeuveau/Botox) $14/unit

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theempressla.com
• Instagram: @theempressla
• Other: https://app.joinmoxie.com/booking/the-empress-la

Image Credits
Hector Islas