Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendei Melnick Smith.
Hi Wendei, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Many years ago, I worked in entertainment as a development executive. I left my last job in NYC and moved back to Los Angeles as I’m a native. At that point, entertainment was very much a man’s world and I didn’t want to take on the persona of the women in VP Studio/Network Executive jobs in order to survive, so I decided to produce independently and needed a way to support myself. I went to school to become an esthetician. I’ve been licensed for close to 30 years now; my website for services is www.peaceofmindwellness.com. In 2010, I began formulating my own skincare line as I had become certified in Oncology Esthetics and I wanted to formulate nontoxic products for the cancer patients I was working on and of course, I’ve always been into clean products. I like to say that I began formulating for people with cancer and then began formulating for myself and people like me. At the end of 2016, my immune system crashed and I began getting sick multiple times over the next couple of months. I never got sick so this was unusual and I kept going to urgent care thinking I had the flu but it never was.
One of my best friends is an infectious disease specialist who specializes in Lyme Disease. When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia she began telling me she thought I had Lyme and I kept telling her she was nuts as I’d never been bit by a tick. When she saw me end of 2016, I told her about an old boyfriend of mine who has Lyme and asked if he flew out here if she would see him long distance. She said, “of course, but what about you?” I was exasperated at this point and said, “Francine, I don’t have Lyme!” She looked at me and said you’re not the same person I’ve known for over 22 years. First, you were too heavy, and now you’re too thin (I weighed only 85 pounds at that point) and the light’s gone out of your eyes and you look exhausted. I’m not only going to test you for Lyme, but even if it’s not Lyme, I guarantee I’m going to find something wrong with you.” I still fought her and in the meantime, my friend booked an appointment for early February of 2017. He had to cancel because of work, so I took his appointment to humor her and get her off my back. Well the joke was on me as I was positive. But it explained all my aches and pains and exhaustion etc. over the past several years. I’ve probably spent over $700K over the past seven years to save my life and trust me, I was dying it was that advanced. It turns out I got it from my mother and passed it to my two now young adult kids at birth. That’s when I began formulating CBD products. The first was my Relief Balm as I was in so much pain and then continued with other products.
In the meantime, I was also diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which seems to be getting a lot of awareness this past year. Sadly the pandemic took a huge hit on my business and trying to launch my skincare line during that time didn’t go so well as you can imagine but I’m very hopeful and optimistic that things will turn around. I’m very close with my family and have received a ton of support from them. I’m beyond lucky as so many people with Lyme aren’t believed. In fact, in 2017 I developed vaso vagal syncope where I’d stand up and my blood pressure would plunge and I”d pass out. My doctor gave me a form to get handicapped license plates and when I went to AAA to get them, the manager handed me a screwdriver. I couldn’t help think of the irony of the disabled person kneeling in Encino when it was 106 degrees outside, putting on my own license plates. I remember driving home thinking it’s a good think I really like my hair as I would’ve shaved it off when I got home just to be taken serious.
After nearly 30 years, I still absolutely love doing what I do. I love getting to know all my fabulous clients and helping them achieve their skin goals whether it be anti-aging, clearing acne or fading those pesky brown spots. I also went back to school last year and became a Pilates instructor and I teach privates at my office in Encino along with doing fabulous pampering yet clinical skin care treatments. In addition, I teach a class called Esthetics for People Living with Chronic Illness where I teach about Lyme, Cancer, Ehler-Danlos, Mast Cell Activation syndrome and how to modify treatments for those clients. I feel healthier than I’ve been in years and I’m very proud of all I’ve overcome during that time and have met some of the most kind and generous and loving people in the chronic illness community. We have each other’s backs. I also run a chronic illness group on Facebook called SoCal Medical Detectives for Complex Illnesses where people come together and support each other and I host gatherings at my home in Valley Glen. My website for products is www.peaceofmindskincare.com. One of the things that make my line unique is that every product aligns with a different chakra so when someone is doing their skincare regiment they’re balancing their chakras. In fact, I have a Peace of Mind Signature Chakra Balancing Facial where I use my pendulum to check them and then use gemstones and rocks to balance. My husband has always called me his woo woo wife or hippy lover and I’m proud of that!
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?
I started my business from home in 1997 after I got pregnant with my daughter who is now almost 25 years old. Getting sick didn’t slow me down as I’m a badass professional woman, but the unfortunately the pandemic did so I’m trying to rebuild my business and launch my fabulous line of skincare and CBD products.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What sets me apart is almost three decades of experience as well as my commitment to changing people’s skin and getting them phenomenal noticeable results. I’ve had some clients for over two decades. I use a lot of technology when necessary, am proficient at chemical peels, micro-needling, extractions and give an amazing massage! I’m proud of myself for overcoming many obstacles over the years.
How do you define success?
I define success as being happy and at peace in my own skin (literally but more figuratively). Having loving family and supportive friends. Money is wonderful obviously, but if you have money and are miserable, then what’s the point. As the old saying goes, money can’t buy you happiness, but in my experience, money can buy you a more comfortable less stressful life if you know how to manage it well. One quote that’s always stuck with me is by the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz, A heart is not judged by how much you love: but how much you re loved by others.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.peaceofmindwellness.com and www.peaceofmindskincare.com
- Instagram: @peaceofmindhealth and @peaceofmindskin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeaceofMindSkincare
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendei-melnick-smith-73900010/
- Twitter: @peaceofmindwellness
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/peace-of-mind-wellness-skin-and-body-care-encino
Image Credits
Rohina Hoffman
