Meet Cassandra Blake of Vivesthetics. in Downtown LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Blake.

Cassandra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my beauty/skincare business, ‘vivesthetics.’ with just an idea.

At the time, I was going to school full time gearing my studies for nursing to get into medical esthetics. I was working two part-time jobs..no car & still at home. Really struggling to find what I wanted to do with myself and my future, pretty much dragging my feet because I wasn’t happy with my current life situation at all. Things were far from easy so I started to dig deep within myself and wanted to tap into something different. I knew I have always had a nitch for skin care|beauty and decided to switch it up. I Found a 1-year beauty school program- and signed up to try it out. As soon as I started, I can say that’s when things started to blossom unknowingly. At the time, my mom and I were moving a lot around the city (from los feliz to inglewood, and then monrovia) which was hard for us with no car at first, we worked together to really make things happen.  I was going to school knowing this was my “get away” from life stresses to get lost in all things beauty, literally.  Special thanks to my professor/mentor at lattc, Ms. Ley. who taught me soo much and saw my potential in the beauty business way before I did.

I went into the program wanting to focus only on lash extensions but once I started, my passion grew more on skincare, body treatments and eyebrows. A world I knew little about at first but was so fascinated, that I took full advantage and soaked everything in like a sponge. I Attended all educational events|field trips, volunteered make up services for underprivileged high schoolers for their proms, and went to all extra certification classes that was offered. Fast forward to graduating from the program, that same month I applied for state board licensing and started to shift my focus on what I had learned and started to get into the field.

By then, I had moved out to West Covina on my own and I was working many full-time jobs: one as an assistant esthetician in Beverly Hills, I started to spa attend first at a well-renowned acne med spa where I worked my way up. I learned and understood how to treat all types of skin through experience in med spas as well as became head esthetician at a body contour boutique, and on top of that I was starting to take clients after work as a side hustle, literally in my living room which I’d flip into a spa room everytime. I had no days off.  It started off just by word of mouth between my friends and family that I was offering acne facial services. I then started to get into teaching myself lashing, simply asking my current clients if they’d like an “add on” lash service. I remember $25 for a lash set, where I was using a duo glue and minks really to perfect isolation and timing without causing damage. Once I got better with my technique and products, that is when I believe my clientele started to grow faster. I was even taking house calls for clients that couldn’t drive out to me, where I would have my huge massage bed, chair and table that I’d lug around everywhere. During this period I felt like my time and myself was spread so thin, but so this got me to get really really organized and forced me to master time-management.  All in all, this is when “vivesthetics.” came to mind.

I got into thinking about getting my own space in LA, where my clients would take me more seriously and honestly that was my biggest goal at that time..but I knew the responsibility and commitment was a big deal. So I started first off by booth renting in spa suites every Sunday of the week, which I’d call #vivestheticsundays. By then, from the booth rentals to then sharing a spa suite in Glendale for more than a year, I felt I was finally ready to take on my own.

The biggest leap of faith, was the decision to actually go for it: not knowing the outcome, but to truly trust the process. Bittersweet, but I have always been hard on myself and the type to do everything by myself and not ask for help even when needed- but with the hard work, dedication, and the support system I have behind me…I soon learned that anything is possible.

Today, I celebrate three years and counting being my own boss/businesswoman, a “pimple whisperer” skin expert, a senior lash master/teacher, and a one year anniversary for ‘vivesthetics.’ being at the ROWDTLA. But this is really just the beginning.

Great, 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?
The road was/is everything but smooth. Many struggles were faced. Pretty much everything you could think of that would go wrong, went wrong. From working everyday through SO many jobs that would take awful advantage of my experience and cut corners with pay or long unpaid hours, or thinking ‘vivesthetics.’ would be enough to support me fully, but didn’t just yet, to not having certain bills paid but having to invest seriously every dollar into all the things that started and now run my business.

All in all, many sacrifices were made and things like a social life, relationships, family time, and time for me was compromised. I’ve definitely learned that its a constant battle of balance. Running a full-time beauty business inside and out on your own- it demands you to become an assistant, a tax girl, receptionist, a handyman, etc. and it will literally take EVERYTHING out of you at times.

One struggle period that stood out for me looking back was the loss of my Lola (grandma in tagalog) and my Grandma around the same time, in the middle of everything going on with opening my space in dtla and pretty much EVERYTHING fell apart in my personal life. Having had to rebuild myself back up mentally, emotionally, and professionally from that was one of the hardest things for me. But knowing what I have been through, using that as fuel and having a solid support system, my family, my close friends, etc. is what really keeps me going.

Please tell us about Vivesthetics.
Vivesthetics. is a space for all things beauty at the ROWDTLA.

FACIALS|LASHES|BROWS is the main focus- where lash extension services, lash courses, luxury custom facial treatments and semi-permanent brows are just some of the services I specialize in.

What sets vivesthetics. apart from others is the time and continued education I took to really master the services and techniques I offer now. I am still an eager learner in the business- consistently taking certifications, technique classes, and events to bring the best services to my “vivbaes” and gentleman clients. I am most proud of having to start this from the ground up and being able to look back and know that I once prayed for it, yet knowing that there is so much more in store for the future.

When it comes to the skin care-I am most proud and happy when I’m able to change a client’s life. Especially my clients with problematic/acne type, taking the time to certify and study the skin in ways where I can truly understand and have it improve with a facial plan of treatments and a daily skincare routine.  I take pride in the organic/ botanical-based products and protocols used but aside from that, its how I make my clients feel.

Majority of my clients are busy hard-working women (vivbae bosses) and I always take away that for some this is their only time away from their busy schedules to relax and recharge with either a detox facial, lash or brow service. My clients are who I really do it for, they give me the extra spark needed to keep the business going.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood, I’d say would be being born and raised in Los Angeles, by such an independent, hard-working, cute, spunky LA mom. She truly pushed me and made me the woman I am today. Taught me everything – how important it is to have your own as a woman, do for yourself, all the while-look good and feel good doing it. She doesn’t know this but she’s what sparked me into going into the beauty biz, unintentionally. I remember always playing with her makeup, obsessing over all of her skincare products, and at-home beauty gadgets. She is my Wonder Woman. From working, providing and raising me on her own, she would instill in me early on, on how to carry myself and would always push me to be my best even when I didn’t see it.  I do it for you!

Contact Info:

• Address: 777 S, Alameda St.
  Los Angeles, CA 90021
• Website: www.vivesthetics.com
• Email: vivesthetics@gmail.com
• Instagram: @vivesthetics

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