Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Rainbolt-Foss.
Hi Sarah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Sarah and I am an esthetician and social media content photographer in West LA! In 2019, my world turned upside down and I became a divorced unemployed single mom of three kids. I had no idea what I was going to do, so I decided to follow my dream of becoming an esthetician and began esthetics school that September. During the day, I was a full-time mom and at night I was a full-time student. For six months I went to school Monday through Friday from 5 pm to 10 pm and graduated only three days after the world shut down due to the pandemic.
Once I realized the lockdown wasn’t going to be a two weeks mini-vacation, I panicked! But, because I had three kids to take care of, giving up wasn’t an option. I originally planned to start my own esthetics business right out of school, which a lot of people said was crazy. Looking back it probably was a wild idea, but I was determined to succeed, no matter what it took. Due to the global shutdown, I was prevented from opening my spa- so I pivoted. I decided to open an online store and began using my social media platforms to sell products, share skincare advice, and speak candidly about my own experiences with adult acne! Instead of seeing clients in person or selling retail in a storefront, I spent all of my time in quarantine shipping out products, gaining clients through social media, and continuing my education through online classes.
When Los Angeles reopened over a year later, I was completely booked! The community of followers I spent all of those months building online became clients and are now close friends. I remember that incredible feeling of exhaustion after being open the first day and thinking, “Wow, this is going to work!” Since then Bolt Beauty LA has completely taken off. Every day I see clients of all ages and help them address their skincare concerns. I specialize in adult acne, I shape and tint brows, and I perform lash lifts. I have also integrated my ten years of photography experience into my business by photographing and creating social media content for beauty industry professionals all over Southern California.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think the pandemic presented huge challenges for everyone, but professionals in the beauty industry were hit especially hard. Every person I know in this industry had to fight to keep their doors open and stay afloat. We weren’t able to see clients and we couldn’t exactly work from home so we just had to make it work. Throw in being a single mom during a pandemic and I have to say, I have struggled more my first few years in this industry than I would have liked!
But, I used the time I had stuck at home wisely and took as many online courses and accreditations as I could. I continued to learn and practice my skills. Prepandemic, I would have given up on all of this before I had even started. I wasn’t someone who faced things head-on or who did things if I knew there was a possibility I would fail. But I wanted my kids proud to be proud of me. I wanted to show them that we can face difficult challenges and be successful, even if we fail. Most of all I wanted to be proud of myself- and I am.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Bolt Beauty LA was born from my love of all things brow, lash, and skin. I specialize in lash lifts and brows, but healing skin through facials and skincare is the best part of what I do. My own personal struggle with adult cystic acne has given me the experience and knowledge to help clients who are struggling with the same skin condition. It can feel very isolating to have acne as an adult. Clients sometimes come in feeling very self-conscious. But my studio is a safe place for them to ask questions without feeling judged and leave feeling confident in what steps to take to heal their skin. Lash lifts and brow services are great ways to emphasize the natural beauty of your features without committing to anything permanent. Confidence is always the goal!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Professionally, connection with my clients matters most to me. I want them to come into my spa as strangers but leave as friends. I want them to go home feeling lighter, a little more relaxed, and a lot more confident after their visit. They have the option to chat with me through their appointment or have a silent appointment where they can relax and rest. I want them to leave feeling more connected to themselves.
Personally, my children will always be what matters most to me. I found out I was pregnant with my daughter at the age of 19. I have been a mother my entire adult life. Without them, my success wouldn’t be as meaningful as it is. Everything I do is for them.
Pricing:
- Signature Custom Facial- $100
- HydroFacial- $150
- Antiaging Facial Peel- $150
- Lash Lift & Tint- $120
- Brow Lamination- $110
Contact Info:
- Website: www.boltbeautyla.com
- Instagram: @BoltBeautyLA
- Other: www.vagaro.com/boltbeauty
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Jaclyn Szabo @JaclynSzabo
